Running a program under reduced privileges

unifex · 12 Sep 2010

Quick question - is there a simple way to run a program (e.g. a browser) under reduced privileges?

There are lot's of threads and resources that explain how to run things under elevated privileges. However, I have not found any information on how to do the opposite: how to lower privileges for a single program (for example, just for Firefox). I am aware of the third-party software (DropMyRights, for example) that can do just that. I am wondering of there is a simple native way to this.

jav · 12 Sep 2010

UAC already partly does it for you.

It will take away administrator token from you and give user token, unless you elevate it with UAC prompt.

Bill2 · 12 Sep 2010

You can try running the program as a different user i.e. a user with non-admin privileges. See this tut.

Run as Different User

logicearth · 12 Sep 2010

unifex said:

I am wondering of there is a simple native way to this.

There is, but Firefox does not make use of it. Both IE and Chrome do. You need to have UAC on and not be using the hidden Administrator account. For IE it will say "Protection Mode On" at the bottom.

unifex · 13 Sep 2010

Thanks guys, I'll try your suggestions. I don't usually use IE, but it's funny that it might turn out safer than Firefox, not that I actually go to "dangerous" web sites. In fact, since IE exists in the 64-bit version, then together with the "Protection Mode On" it might be the safest option, unless running as a standard user actually works out for Firefox.