SharePoint Designer 2010

Create a List Workflow for Shared Documents library:ImpersonationTest

Click 'Workflow Settings'

Click Publish

When this Workflow runs, it runs in elevated privilege: Administrator.

Interesting observation: even though I removed all users including Administrator from permission group of MyList, Administrator can still has full privilege on MyList list.

When Albert uploads a document in Shared Documents library, the Workflow automatically starts. A new item is created in MyList list.

The workflow does not have the Impersonation Step, the Workflow fails. Albert does not have 'Contribute' permission on MyList list.

'Assign to-do item' action does not need 'Impersonation Step'

I remove all permissions from Tasks list.

The following are workflow actions that can be impersonated:

Set Content Approval Status (as Owner)

Create List Item (as Owner)

Update List Item (as Owner)

Delete List Item (as Owner)

Add/Remove/Set/Inherit List Item Permissions (as Owner)