Windows 7 - Should I use the "run as admin" option when I install new software?

RoloDman · 08-09-2010

As a general rule of thumb, is it best to install all new software using the "run as administrator" option?

Delphin · 08-09-2010

yes if you trust the program you are going to install...

Luckystar · 08-09-2010

Not necessarly. Yes you should only install if you trust the software/program but you only need to use 'run as administrator' if the program/software does'nt start straight away.

Lucky

RoloDman · 08-09-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Luckystar

Not necessarly. Yes you should only install if you trust the software/program but you only need to use 'run as administrator' if the program/software does'nt start straight away.

Lucky

What do you mean by that?

Luckystar · 08-09-2010

I mean, if you can start the software install without 'run as administrator' then you don't need it.

I hav'nt really found much software that requires it, so i don't even know why it is there, unless someone else can jump in here and explain more.

I am just talking through experience.

I think i had one program that required it.

I take it you have UAC disabled?

Lucky

Barman58 · 08-09-2010

If you install as a normal user (non elevated) and everything works then this is a more secure way of installation, if the install will not take place in this mode then you should fully check the installer/ supplier and only then run as administrator.

You may even be prompted to re-install the software if windows deems that something is not quite right

RoloDman · 08-09-2010

thanks to everyone who participated in this very special thread

Luckystar · 08-09-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Barman58

If you install as a normal user (non elevated) and everything works then this is a more secure way of installation, if the install will not take place in this mode then you should fully check the installer/ supplier and only then run as administrator.

You may even be prompted to re-install the software if windows deems that something is not quite right

Thanks barman, as i said, i was not sure what its for, guess because my account is Admin (Not the hidden admin account either).

Lucky

Kirsch · 08-09-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Luckystar

Thanks barman, as i said, i was not sure what its for

We use it at work all the time. All of our end users are in the Users group, so the majority of them cannot install software. If they need a piece of software installed, we run as administrator (putting in our credentials) rather than logging them off and installing under our username.

Saves a bunch of time

Barman58 · 08-09-2010

The main reasons for an application requiring elevation to install is the need to install drivers or services that need to be running before the user logs on, to do this you need to run as a system account.

The other major reason is bad programming practice, all user settings should be stored in the user folder tree - some programmers still insist in placing user files under the program files tree. It is a relatively new requirement as it only came in with NT3.5

Windows 7 - Should I use the "run as admin" option when I install new software?

Should I use the "run as admin" option when I install new software? problems?