Sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you are logged onto a Server via RDP - and want to start Sql Server Management Studio (SSMS) as another local login. I'm not talking about the actual SQL Server login process - but actually starting SSMS as another login.
Why would you want to do this?
Let's say you've logged onto a server with a particular login - but that login may not have permissions to start SSMS. Or you may have BUILTIN\Administrators enabled on the SQL Server , therefore you may need to initiate SSMS in the context of a login is in the Administrator group
Of course you will need the password , as you'll be prompted
The basic sequence of events is :
1(Open a command line window
2)Type the RUNAS command: runas /user:
3) This will then prompt you for the password and if correct will launch SSMS as that user.
Note: I'm only using the Administrator as an example.
Read more on RUNAS and RDP
How to View Remote Desktop Sessions (SQL Server DBA)
SQL Sever - Dedicated Administrator Connection - DAC
