EXE Won't Open, "Please login with administrator privileges" Error

T3xas · 13 Sep 2015

Out of nowhere, I suddenly found myself unable to open one specific program. When trying to open it, I get the error message "Please login with administrator privileges and try again." Obviously, doing exactly that is my next step. However, nothing happens when I try to right click and run it as administrator. Thinking something must have gotten corrupted within the program, I went to uninstall it. Trying to do so proved troublesome, as each time I attempted an uninstall through Add/Remove a Program, nothing would happen. I finally succeeded after downloading the IObit Uninstaller. Once the program was reinstalled, I found myself back to square one. Still the same error message persists and I have no luck when running as administrator. I am not experiencing this issue with any other program and have run a virus/adware scan to be safe. Of course, I've restarted my PC a number of times and have tried to run it through Safe Mode, all to no avail. Finally, after some Google searching, I attempted to disable UAC, which again did nothing. Any ideas? I should add that I haven't installed anything since last running the program successfully. If it matters, it is a computer game from 2002 called Medal of Honor that I have had on my PC without issue for years.

Mellon Head · 13 Sep 2015

See post #8 in this thread and try the solution to see if it works:

Rosetta Stone Version 2 won't run

T3xas · 13 Sep 2015

Perhaps I did something wrong, but I got the following message after entering the second command of "sc start secdrv":
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.

I did notice this thread on Rosetta Stone before posting my own. However, I believe the big difference between our two problems is that my program was running fine just a few days ago as opposed to trying to install it for the first time. I do have my PC set to automatically update. Is it possible Microsoft has updated Windows 7 in the past few days and created an issue with older programs?
Also, I've downloaded TweakBit FixMyPC and ran a scan. This program did find 1,004 'stability threats' on my PC. I wonder if there's any way to take care of these without spending the money to buy the full program. Additionally, could these 'stability threats' be related to my issue?

MoxieMomma · 13 Sep 2015

T3xas said:

Also, I've downloaded TweakBit FixMyPC and ran a scan. This program did find 1,004 'stability threats' on my PC. I wonder if there's any way to take care of these without spending the money to buy the full program. Additionally, could these 'stability threats' be related to my issue?

No!
Do NOT do anything with "TweakBit FixMyPC"!
Such programs are -- at best -- a scam, and -- at worst -- could seriously damage your computer!!
Do I need a Windows Registry Cleaner?
10 Types of System Tools and Optimization Programs You Don’t Need on Windows
PC Cleaning Apps are a Scam: Here’s Why (and How to Speed Up Your PC)

Please stay with @Mellon Head and the other forum folks for more help with your issue.

Cheers,
MM

Mellon Head · 13 Sep 2015

T3xas said:

Perhaps I did something wrong, but I got the following message after entering the second command of "sc start secdrv":
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.

I did notice this thread on Rosetta Stone before posting my own. However, I believe the big difference between our two problems is that my program was running fine just a few days ago as opposed to trying to install it for the first time. I do have my PC set to automatically update. Is it possible Microsoft has updated Windows 7 in the past few days and created an issue with older programs?
Also, I've downloaded TweakBit FixMyPC and ran a scan. This program did find 1,004 'stability threats' on my PC. I wonder if there's any way to take care of these without spending the money to buy the full program. Additionally, could these 'stability threats' be related to my issue?

I haven't been able to figure out which update it is yet, but MS pushed an update in the past few days which is playing hell with older software. Especially software that uses older copy protection. Programs that have worked for years suddenly do not work. I have the same issue with a couple of my games suddenly not working, and it's due to the copy protection. MS patched a hole in the secdrv service and effectively disabled it, leading to the issue that you're experiencing.

I don't know why you are getting the error that you're getting. Did you run the command prompt as Administrator?

[Lack of endorsement removed]

GokAy · 13 Sep 2015

Upon reading Mellon Head's comment, I searched some and found this:

When Windows 10 came out, many of us here quickly discovered that while we can successfully install Med2, Rome1, Med1 and Shogun1 on the new operating system, these games will not run. Now, with Windows update KB3086255 being rolled out this week for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users, the same problem will now affect even more people.

Total War games will no longer work at all
Some discussion about re-enabling secdrv in the article. Engage at your own risk! :)

Mellon Head · 13 Sep 2015

GokAy said:

Upon reading Mellon Heads comment, I searched some and found this:

When Windows 10 came out, many of us here quickly discovered that while we can successfully install Med2, Rome1, Med1 and Shogun1 on the new operating system, these games will not run. Now, with Windows update KB3086255 being rolled out this week for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users, the same problem will now affect even more people.

Total War games will no longer work at all
Some discussion about re-enabling secdrv in the article. Engage at your own risk! :)

That was the info I was looking for. Thanks GokAy.

It's a shame that we have to resort to risky fixes to run software that we've previously bought and paid for. Thanks MS.

ThrashZone · 13 Sep 2015

Known issues in this security update

After you install this security update, some programs may not run. (For example, some video games may not run.) To work around this issue, you can temporarily turn on the service for the secdrv.sys driver by running certain commands, or by editing the registry.

Note When you no longer require the service to be running, we recommend that you turn off the service again.

Warning This workaround may make a computer or a network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3086255

GokAy · 13 Sep 2015

I don't see it either but I believe it is the advertisement for the very same app if you are not logged in? (I use certain measures *cough* to not see them so can't test)

Mike, same KB is linked to in the article (well, forum post :)) But better to have it more visible

T3xas · 13 Sep 2015

ThrashZone said:

Known issues in this security update

After you install this security update, some programs may not run. (For example, some video games may not run.) To work around this issue, you can temporarily turn on the service for the secdrv.sys driver by running certain commands, or by editing the registry.

Note When you no longer require the service to be running, we recommend that you turn off the service again.

Warning This workaround may make a computer or a network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3086255

That's it! Solved everything, thank you everyone who offered advise! I agree with Mellon Head though, it's unfortunate that we are forced to compromise security in order to continue enjoying old software. Hopefully someone can develop a fix for this.