Microsoft is introducing the Linux ' sudo ' feature to Windows Server 2025 , offering a new way for administrators to elevate their privileges for console applications.
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Superuser do, or sudo, is a Linux console program that allows low-privileged users to execute a command with elevated privileges, usually as root.
This command offers increased security in Linux, as servers can be used normally under low-privilege accounts, while allowing users to elevate their privileges when executing specific commands.
An example of the sudo command is shown below, where we run 'whoami' as a low-privileged user and then execute it using sudo.
Notice that the whoami command shows that you are running it as the bleeping user. However, when you run whoami with sudo, you are elevated to root.
Demonstration of the sudo command using whoami
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Testing sudo on Windows Server 2025
Microsoft released the first preview of Windows Server 2025 last week. However, shortly after, a newer version leaked online.
As first reported by Windows Latest, the leaked build includes some new features that are under development, including new settings for a Windows 'sudo' command.
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These settings are only available after enabling developer mode, and the sudo command does not currently work from the command line, indicating that it is in an early stage of development.
However, the sudo settings provide some examples of how the command will work, with the ability to run sudo applications 'In a new window', 'With input disabled', and 'Inline'.
Windows already offers the ability to elevate programs automatically using UAC prompts, causing programs to run with elevated privileges in their own window.
However, some administrative tools, such as bcdedit and reagentc, require you to be an administrator to run these commands.
In these cases, the sudo command will allow programs to run based on Windows settings, such as in a new window, embedded in the current window, or possibly in a non-interactive shell using the disabled input setting.
Although this feature has not yet been spotted in Windows 11, it wouldn't be surprising if Microsoft adds sudo to this operating system in the future.
It's important to note that Microsoft often tests new features in previews that don't always make it into final releases.
However, it will be interesting to see how Microsoft integrates this feature into Windows and will be worth watching.
Source: bleepingcomputer
