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Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode

Verified with Windows Security Options 25H2 — updated on July 13, 2026

Security policy

This is a Security Options policy (Windows Settings > Security Settings), applied by the security engine — not an Administrative Template (ADMX). In GPMC/gpedit it is configured under Local Policies > Security Options.

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options

Description

This setting chooses how administrators in Admin Approval Mode are prompted for elevation. The default on Windows clients is consent on the secure desktop for non-Windows binaries. Less restrictive choices reduce interruption but can make unintended elevation easier, while credential prompts increase assurance and user friction.

Registry

HKLM Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Value name: ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin

More options available

Options

Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode
ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin enum
  • Elevate without prompting -> 0
  • Prompt for credentials on the secure desktop -> 1
  • Prompt for consent on the secure desktop -> 2
  • Prompt for credentials -> 3
  • Prompt for consent -> 4
  • Prompt for consent for non-Windows binaries -> 5

Export Builder

BETA

Configure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.

These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO.

Security policy setting: a domain GPO (Security Settings) can overwrite this registry value at the next policy refresh. Prefer configuring it via GPMC > Security Options.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode
; State: Enabled

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin"=dword:00000001
"ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin"=dword:00000000
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode
# State: Enabled

$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin' -Value 0 -Type DWord

Embed this policy on your site

What to embed
Theme

Adds one script line: the theme follows your site’s appearance and the height fits the content. If your site blocks scripts, the embed follows the visitor’s system theme.

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