What programs are you having trouble with?

Providing they don't access the Internet (I wouldn't recommend using browsers/file sharing software like Imesh that insists on being as admin) it's moderately safe to create links to them with the runas command.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d..._shortcut.mspx

This also works in XP Home.

For example if I want a open a command line with administrator privilages on my machine I create a new short cut on the desktop and where it says "type the location of the item" I enter the following:

runas /user:Admin cmd

You'll be promped for the password for the administrator account if you've set one which is a pain but I recommend it.