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

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  1. Posts : 634
    7 Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 1
       #1

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


    As a general rule of thumb, is it best to install all new software using the "run as administrator" option?
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  2. Posts : 118
    windows 7
       #2

    yes if you trust the program you are going to install...
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  3. Posts : 531
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 RTM + SP1
       #3

    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
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  4. Posts : 634
    7 Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Luckystar said:
    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?
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  5. Posts : 531
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 RTM + SP1
       #5

    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
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  6. Posts : 31,242
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
       #6

    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
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  7. Posts : 634
    7 Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #7

    thanks to everyone who participated in this very special thread
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  8. Posts : 531
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 RTM + SP1
       #8

    Barman58 said:
    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
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  9. Posts : 1,180
    Windows 7 Ultimate
       #9

    Luckystar said:

    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 :)
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  10. Posts : 31,242
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
       #10

    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
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