Elevated Program Shortcut without UAC Prompt - Create

How to Create an Elevated Program Shortcut without a UAC Prompt in Windows​

   Information

This will show you how to create an elevated "Run as administrator" shortcut of any installed program using Task Scheduler so that it will not give you a UAC prompt for permission when you start it while still having UAC turned on in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

In the tutorial, you will first create a new task, then a new shortcut to run the task. Afterwards, how to change the icon of the shortcut.

   Note

Special thanks to OEM for pointing this out, and the previous Vista version by DMEX.

   Warning

• This shortcut and task can only be created and work while logged in as an administrator account.
• This shortcut will not work in a standard user account.

Here's How:
1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.
NOTE: This will open Task Scheduler. This file is located at:
C:\Windows\system32\taskschd.msc.

2. While having Task Scheduler Library selected in the left pane, click/tap on Create task in the far right pane. (see screenshot below)

3. Under the General tab, type in the "Name" of the program you want to create this shortcut for. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This will be the name of the task. As an example, I will use CCleaner for that program. Make note of this name, you will need it later in step 12 and 14 below.

4. Check the Run with highest privileges box. (See screenshot below)

5. Click/tap on the Configure for drop down box to open it, and select Windows® 7, Windows Server™ 2008 R2 or the Windows you are currently in. (see screenshot above and below)
NOTE: This is like compatibility mode. If the program does not support running in Windows 7 normally, then you can select the OS that is does support running in instead to have it run in compatibility mode as if it was running in that OS instead of Windows 7.

6. Click/tap on the Actions tab, then on the New button. (see screenshot below)

7. In the Program/script: box in the Actions tab, copy and paste the path below. (see screenshot below step 9)
NOTE: Thank you to chillz for the updated steps 7 and 8.
%windir%\System32\cmd.exe
8. In the Add arguments (optional): box in the Actions tab, type in the argument below. (see screenshot below step 9)

NOTE: Substitute Task Name in the argument below with the name you entered in step 3 (ex: CCleaner) within quotes, and substitute Full Path of Program in the argument below with the actual full path of the program's .exe file within quote.
/c start "Task Name" "Full Path of Program"


For example:

/c start "CCleaner" "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner64.exe"

9. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

10. Click/tap on the Conditions tab, and uncheck the Stop if the computer switches to battery power box first, then uncheck the Start the task only if the computer is on AC power box. (see screenshots below)
NOTE: This step is mostly for laptops, so that you will be able to run the program when the laptop is running on battery power.




11. Click/tap on OK. (See screenshots above)

12. You will now see your new task created with the name (ex: CCleaner) you gave it in step 3. Close Task Scheduler. (see screenshot below)

13. Right click or press and hold on an empty area of your desktop, then click/tap on New and Shortcut.

14. Type in the target below for the location field, then click/tap on the Next button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Subsitute task-name in the target with the name (ex: CCleaner) within quotes that you used in step 3.
schtasks /run /tn "task-name"

For example: For my task name CCleaner I used from step 3, I would type:
schtasks /run /tn "CCleaner"

15. Type in a name you want for the shortcut (ex: CCleaner), then click/tap on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)

16. Right click on the new shortcut (ex: CCleaner) on the desktop, then click/tap on Properties.

17. Click/tap on the Shortcut tab, and on the Change Icon button. (see screenshot below)

18. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

19. Click/tap on the Browse button. (see screenshot below)

20. Navigate to the .exe file of the program that you have created this shortcut with, select it, and click/tap on Open. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you have a icon of your own that you would prefer to use instead, then navigate to where you have that icon saved at instead.

21. Select the icon you want for the shortcut, then click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

22. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

23. You can now use this elevated shortcut to run at startup in your "Startup" folder, run at startup as a task, Pin to Start Menu, Pin to Taskbar, assign a keyboard shortcut, or move to where you like for easy use.

24. When you run this new elevated shortcut, you will now no longer have to click/tap on YES to approve the UAC prompt to allow the program run as administrator.

   Tip

To Undo and Remove this Task:

• While having Task Scheduler Library selected in the left pane, right click on the task in the right pane that you created in step 12, then click on Delete and Yes to approve.
• Delete the shortcut.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Set Priority Level for Applications and Processes in Windows 7
• How to Run a Program as an Administrator in Windows 7
• How to See if Process is running as administrator (elevated) in Vista and Windows 7
• How to See if Process is running as administrator (elevated) in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create an Elevated Command Prompt Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create an Elevated Windows 7 Task Manager Shortcut
• How to Change UAC Notification Settings in Windows 7
• How to Create a Task to Run a Program at Startup and Log On in Windows 7
• Enable or Disable the User Account Control (UAC) Blacking Out of Screen in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Elevate All Administrator Accounts UAC Privilege Level
• How to Add "Run as administrator" to VBS File Context Menu
• How to Add "Run as administrator" to MSI File Context Menu
• How to Require Users to Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to Approve UAC Elevation
• How to Create an Elevated Program Shortcut a Standard User is able to Run in Windows 7
• How to Change Behavior of User Account Control (UAC) Prompt for Standard Users
• How to Display a Message Reminder in Windows with Task Scheduler

 

[elromo]

Thank you for your quick response. Unfortunately, I cannot figure out how I choose the elevated shortcut. When I go to "Open with" none of the programs seem to be the one for the shortcut. I typed in what I thought was the path from looking at the "properties" of the shortcut but that didn't work. In addition, the path I typed brought up an icon that says "Manages scheduled tasks". I tried something else but that resulted in a third icon showing in "Recommended Programs". Now it seems I can't delete either one of these "Recommended Programs" that do not work. Any ideas??

 

[Brink]

You should be able to click on "Choose default program", then "Browse" to be able to navigate to and select the shortcut like under step 3.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/12196-open-change-default-program.html

 

[JPatrick]

Task Scheduler & App Options at startup

Have turned to this Forum many times for solutions, though, this is my first posting.

After reading a posting in the HowToGeek column, I utilized Task Scheduler to automate running SyncToy for doing backups. Today, however, I ran into several issues attempting to automate the Malwarebytes application.

Your script on bypassing the UAC was spot on. However, once the app starts up, it stops at the screen offering "Quick Scan" and "Full Scan" options. I disabled the prompt for updating, but cannot determine how to just get things to run without my interaction. (which defeats the whole purpose of this script). Subbing in other .exe files within the program's folder had no effect.

When a program opens as this one does, asking for user selections before it proceeds, is it simply not possible to automate the process as I did with the SyncToy app?

Thanks.

 

[Scoop]

Have turned to this Forum many times for solutions, though, this is my first posting.

After reading a posting in the HowToGeek column, I utilized Task Scheduler to automate running SyncToy for doing backups. Today, however, I ran into several issues attempting to automate the Malwarebytes application.

Your script on bypassing the UAC was spot on. However, once the app starts up, it stops at the screen offering "Quick Scan" and "Full Scan" options. I disabled the prompt for updating, but cannot determine how to just get things to run without my interaction. (which defeats the whole purpose of this script). Subbing in other .exe files within the program's folder had no effect.

When a program opens as this one does, asking for user selections before it proceeds, is it simply not possible to automate the process as I did with the SyncToy app?

Thanks.

Hi,

I have Malwarebytes as well but I'm only using the Task Scheduler (UAC bypass) to launch the main MBAM console, which starts up in the "Scanner" tab, as you mentioned.

I asked about this at the MBAM forum, whether there are shortcut keys that can be used with a script, once the main console launches.

Unfortunately, MBAM's console is limited without the mouse. I haven't as yet seen a way to switch to the other tabs, as with the <ctrl> tab function in IE, etc.

I thought about writing a script (using Autohotkey) with mouse x/y coordinates, to do some things with MBAM's console but I put that idea on my back burner for now.

MBAM does have several command-line options, like resetting the scanner schedules, but there weren't any commands available that I was interested in using at the time I looked into it.

The list of non-interactive command-mode items that can be done, from CMD or internally in a script, are are listed in the "help" index from the "about" tab, then the "help" button. The index has a section labeled "Command Line Parameters".

 

[JPatrick]

For now, having the task scheduler launch the application will serve as a reminder to run mbam. (at least until I throw down a buy the full version, to set up ongoing processes).

thanks for the very prompt reply.

 

[Batch]

I used the info in this Tutorial which worked well, but it soon dawned on me that the applications seemed to be taking a long time to run.

Than the penny dropped - Scheduled Tasks run at priority 7 by default (which is lower than directly run applications typically run at) and the Task Scheduler does not directly provide a way to set priorities. So I Exported each task [that I had added] (as XML), deleted each task, edited the XML to change priority to 6 (which makes all the difference) and then Imported the tasks again. Problem solved.

Might I suggest that the Tutorial could mention the priority issue and its solution.

Whilst on the subject of priorities, they should not be set too high - 4 to 6 should be adequate for most purposes. Setting the priority too high can cause instabilities (esp. priorities 0 & 1) as system critical processes which are vital to the systems smooth operation can can held back.

 

[JerometheGiraff]

Batch - How do you know that Scheduled tasks run at a priority 7 ?

 

[charli1]

Hi Brink,
very nice guide, thanks a lot,
one question, will this work also on standard users non admin or power users?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Brink]

Hi Brink,
very nice guide, thanks a lot,
one question, will this work also on standard users non admin or power users?
Thanks in advance.

Hello Charli,

I'm afraid this will only work with administrator accounts. However, you could use the method in the tutorial below with all users though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/193743-elevated-program-shortcut-create-standard-user.html

 

[charli1]

Hi Brink,
very nice guide, thanks a lot,
one question, will this work also on standard users non admin or power users?
Thanks in advance.

Hello Charli,

I'm afraid this will only work with administrator accounts. However, you could use the method in the tutorial below with all users though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/193743-elevated-program-shortcut-create-standard-user.html

Thanks mate.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome.

 

[Batch]

Batch - How do you know that Scheduled tasks run at a priority 7 ?

'Cos if one creates a Scheduled Task there is no way (within the Create Task dialogue) to set the priority. But if one then exports such a scheduled task (as XML), it is clear that the priority is set to 7 by default.

 

[JerometheGiraff]

Batch - How do you know that Scheduled tasks run at a priority 7 ?

'Cos if one creates a Scheduled Task there is no way (within the Create Task dialogue) to set the priority. But if one then exports such a scheduled task (as XML), it is clear that the priority is set to 7 by default.

I don't have any Scheduled tasks, nor can I think of any to make. Can you send me or post to download your XML file from one of your Scheduled tasks so I can take a look ?

 

[Batch]

JerometheGiraff

"I don't have any Scheduled tasks, nor can I think of any to make"???

How about simply following the instructions in this tutorial for, say, Notepad.exe or any other program that you care to choose. Then export the Scheduled Task (as an XML file). Open up the XML and you can clearly see the priority in the relevant tag as <Priority>7</Priority>. It is a simple matter to edit the XML, delete the task (as originally created) and then import the edited XML. Once you've satisfied your curiosity you are free to delete the task.

As an aside, from my experience applications that create scheduled tasks (i.e. not using the UI) don't suffer from this issue and can create tasks with higher (and lower) priorities. It may well be that the interface used by such applications accepts the task creation using an XML file anyhow.

 

[Scoop]

I don't have any Scheduled tasks, nor can I think of any to make. Can you send me or post to download your XML file from one of your Scheduled tasks so I can take a look ?

Hi,

I use one task to wake my PC overnight to run unattended AV & MBAM scans. That eliminates any system slow-down issues while scanning since I'm not using the PC during that time.

 

[JerometheGiraff]

I don't know whether this has been mentioned in this thread, but I was in the process of creating a task which I haven't done in a long time on Windows 8.1 and I get a dialog asking me for my Network User Name and Password, to which I enter in the accounts password then I get an error the task can't be created ?

 

[jonnyhotchkiss]

How you log into your "windows workstation" (username + pwd)

 

[jonnyhotchkiss]

was about to ask, but then I remembered what I heard at the shop when buying some milk (customer in front has some PSx issue, multi-role-local-shopkeeper-cum-agony-aunt asks, "How you tried Googling it on... Google?!" found this

Task priority	Priority Class	Priority Level
0	REALTIME_PRIORITY_CLASS	THREAD_PRIORITY_TIME_CRITICAL
1	HIGH_PRIORITY_CLASS	THREAD_PRIORITY_HIGHEST
2	ABOVE_NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS	THREAD_PRIORITY_ABOVE_NORMAL
3	ABOVE_NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS	THREAD_PRIORITY_ABOVE_NORMAL
4	NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS	THREAD_PRIORITY_NORMAL
5	NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS	THREAD_PRIORITY_NORMAL
6	NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS	THREAD_PRIORITY_NORMAL
7	BELOW_NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS	THREAD_PRIORITY_BELOW_NORMAL
8	BELOW_NORMAL_PRIORITY_CLASS	THREAD_PRIORITY_BELOW_NORMAL
9	IDLE_PRIORITY_CLASS	THREAD_PRIORITY_LOWEST
10	IDLE_PRIORITY_CLASS	THREAD_PRIORITY_IDLE

Compare with Synergy

Creating task:

AttachLBS.bat

AttachLBS.txt

Config for win 7

Export

Delete Original Task

Edit Priority (Will set to 6, as suggested)

Import edited task

 

[jonnyhotchkiss]

This failed to achieve the goal of loading the volume before the shell. Modifying userinit succeeded in delaying the desktop, as the diskpart script WAS being executed, but still the shell doesn't load the items until explorer's restarted.. I'll live with it!

 

[Arbitrage]

First of all, thanks for this amazing tutorial, it has helped me a great deal! I have a question, but I am not sure if this is the appropriate place to ask, but I will in case there is somebody who can help me.

I have created an elevated shortcut of utorrent because I need it in order to make Sickbeard work. This way, Sickbeard automatically adds my torrents in utorrent without asking for my permission and it works like a charm. When I try to load a torrent though and I have previously started utorrent with the elevated shortcut, I get an error from utorrent that "It seems like uTorrent is already running but not responding" thus, making it impossible to add it. But when I try to load a torrent and utorrent was started from the regular shortcut or wasn't started at all, everything works fine.

Is there anything I am missing here? Thanks again!