yeah, i know, old thread....but
first post. registered just to answer.
quickest easiest way to get to the control panel as admin is runas. i created a .bat file for it as i run it often and am lazy. just don't store your password in the file.
from the run line:
runas /user:machine\adminaccount "c:\windows\explorer.exe /separate"
now just browse windows explorer to the control panel. everything in the control panel will open as admin.
is this the most secure? no. is it the easiest? best i've found on a ie7 box.
**machine name may be optional, i'm used to running it on a domain
