How Does UAC Decide Which Programs To Run As Administrator


  1. bej
    Posts : 326
    Windows 7 Home Pro SP1 64bit
       #1

    How Does UAC Decide Which Programs To Run As Administrator


    Being prompted by UAC for an administrator password for a program like
    CoreTemp/64 seems silly since it just monitors Mobo sensors.
    Any ideas ?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 72,050
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello Bej,

    That's really up to the program developer, and if he or she has the program to run elevated or not when opened. If not, then no UAC prompt. If so, then you get a UAC prompt.
      My Computer


  3. bej
    Posts : 326
    Windows 7 Home Pro SP1 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thank you for the answer and your time.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 72,050
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #4

    You're most welcome. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,468
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #5

    UAC doesn't decides what to elevate and what don't, it's up to the program to mark itself as "admin-only", and that mark is put only by the program developer as Brinks says.
    When you try to run one of such programs, Windows ask for elevation, but it's after it looks if the particular program requires it.
    The other way to elevate is by explicitly asking to elevate (which is done by right click => run as administrator) to run anything as admin.

    Now, monitoring system sensors is not so silly as you may think. To access hardware, Windows needs to access low level devices and that is reserved to admins only (because if it was not, anyone would be able to tamper with the hardware). For reading system sensors, it's logical to require administrator rights, otherwise the program would get an error. Don't worry, it's a legitimate need most likely.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 552
    Windows 8 Pro x64
       #6

    It depends on what hardware and what level of access. For example, you do not need elevation for accessing GPU acceleration, but you would for say changing fan speeds manually. I did manage to at one point using a function from the Win32 API get very detailed hardware info which did not need such elevation.
      My Computer


 

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