Run as Administrator Setting

Yesterday I received a new ".exe" file from my software vendor to update my app. The update did not involve an "install" but just copying a single exe file over an existing file. After I copied the file my system just "flashed" when I launched the software. I knew the file was ok because I could launch the program ok from a another PC which is networked into mine.

I tried several things and finally right-clicked on the exe file and checked the Property--Compability Mode setting "Run as Administator" and the problem was solved.

My question is why did this problem suddenly pop up from just copying an updated version of the same software. I have never had an issue before and have run this program for a year on the same hardware. FYI: the exe file is in a folder that is immediately under the "C" drive if that makes a difference.

Thanks to anyone who has any knowledge of this.

Brink said:

Hello BrownJackC, and welcome to Seven Forums.


In addition: :)

Open File - Security Warning : Unblock File

I never got a security warning screen - the application just opened and closed (the screen just flashed). Checking the "Run as Administrater" setting changed Windows to allow the app to stay open. I was just wondering why that needed to be done when it was never necessary before.

It's difficult to tell without knowing the exact program, but most likely it's due to bad programming practices in the software. Basically, the program must be assuming full administrative rights on the PC, which was commonplace before Vista and UAC, but crashing badly when run as a standard user (the default for WinVista+).

Probably the program is trying to access system locations and failing to do so terminates it abruptly, but generally that indicates a program problem. Most likely the changes they made from the old to the new version failed to take that into account. I would ask the vendor for a solution and an upgraded version, for that was obviously not tested on Win7 . Running as administrator, even though it may work, is discouraged for security reasons.