Make Me Admin: Use Admin Rights

This article provides instructions on when and how to use Make Me Admin on an Apple or Windows computer managed by the University of Minnesota.

Note: Make Me Admin is not currently available for Health Care Component (HCC) Windows devices. For temporary administrative privileges on an HCC-owned Windows device, please contact Technology Help. HCC members with a Mac device can use Grant Temporary Admin Rights (30 Minutes) accessible through the Self Service utility.

In this article:

When to Request Make Me Admin Access

In most instances when administrative access is needed on a University-owned device, you can contact Technology Help for immediate assistance.

Those who have a business need for repeated administrative access on their device for ongoing needs may submit the Responsible Administrative Rights request form to request use of the Make Me Admin tool on their device. The tool allows temporary elevation of access to ensure compliance with the University Security Authentication, Access, and Account Management Standard policy.

  • This request may be granted to supervisor-approved staff members with a clear business need. 
  • Those who have access to this tool must understand and agree to follow the policies outlined at the Responsible Admin Rights webpage.
  • Access to the tool will be removed after one year or a period of non-use.

If you have already been given access to Make Me Admin, follow the directions below.

Access Make Me Admin Access on Mac

  1. Open the Self Service application.
    Mac OS Self Service application folder icon
  2. Click Run underneath Make Me Admin.
    Make Me Admin application icon with the Run button below it within Self Service.
  3. You should see a notification pop up in the upper right corner of your screen notifying you that you have been granted admin rights for the next 15 min.
    Mac OS Self Service Management Notification stating "Temporary administrative rights have been granted for 15 minutes.
  4. After 15 minutes you will get a similar notification saying that your temporary admin rights have been removed.
    • Note: If you attempt to activate Make Me Admin after it has already been activated, you'll see an error.

Access Make Me Admin on Windows

If Your Computer Is ON Campus

  1. Simultaneously hold down the Shift key and Right-Click on the Make Me Admin icon on the desktop and select Run as different user.
    Windows 10 Make Me Admin desktop icon shift-right click menu with Run as different user highlighted
  2. Log in with your Internet ID and password.
    • The user login for the MakeMeAdmin application will expire after 24 hours.
  3. Click on Grant Me Administrator Rights.
    Windows 10 Make Me Admin interface with Grant Me Administrator Rights button highlighted
  4. You will see a notification in the bottom right corner confirming you have the admin rights for the next 10 minutes.

If Your Computer Is OFF Campus

  1. Login to Cisco Secure Client VPN split-tunnel.
  2. Simultaneously hold down the Shift key and Right-Click on the Make Me Admin icon on the desktop and select Run as different user.
    Windows 10 Make Me Admin desktop icon shift-right click menu with Run as different user highlighted
  3. Log in with your Internet ID and password.
    • The user login for the MakeMeAdmin application will expire after 24 hours.
  4. Click on Grant Me Administrator Rights.
    Windows 10 Make Me Admin interface with Grant Me Administrator Rights button highlighted
  5. ​​​​​You will see a notification in the bottom right corner confirming you have the admin rights for the next 15 minutes.

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