The command line 'runas' with Ax

We can test user groups and access rights for individual users within our own work environment using the runas facility, removing the need to authenticate across multiple desktop environments:

AX 2009

C:\Windows\System32\runas.exe /user:JANE.DOE@DOMAIN.local "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Dynamics AX\50\Client\Bin\Ax32.exe"

Or with an AXC file

C:\Windows\System32\runas.exe /user:JANE.DOE@DOMAIN.local "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Dynamics AX\50\Client\Bin\Ax32.exe \"\\Servidor-Datos\Perfiles AX\AX_2009_VAR.axc"

AX 2012

C:\Windows\System32\runas.exe /user:JANE.DOE@DOMAIN.local "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Dynamics AX\60\Client\Bin\Ax32.exe"

Or with an AXC file

C:\Windows\System32\runas.exe /user:JANE.DOE@DOMAIN.local "\"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Dynamics AX\60\Client\Bin\Ax32.exe\" \"\\Servidor-Datos\Perfiles AX\AX_2012_USR.axc\""

We can now create various short-cuts on our desktop for various users to test our security configuration changes but you will still need to know their password! The easiest thing to do is create dummy users in the domain and add them to the various user groups.

AX2012 + Security Development Tool 
Finally there is an excellent add-on for an AX 2012 development environment, the Security Development Tool.  A white paper by Junction Solutions (a Microsoft Partner) can be downloaded here, see page 11 and enjoy some pain-free testing!