Program only runs correctly when UAC is switched OFF

[pete101]

Hi guys,

I successfully used a macro recording application called QuicKeys on my old XP machine with no issues or problems.

Now that I have upgraded to WIndows 7 the applicaton no longers runs correctly i.e. it records the keystrokes/mouse movements ok, but on playback it halts when it reaches a mouse playback and generates a step failed error message.

I've tried running it both as a Standard user and also as an Administrator, but the problem still occurs.

The only solution appears to be to turn the UAC completely off (even lowest setting still results in the above problem). Only then does the application run without a problem.

I am guessing that somehow the mouse movement playback is being blocked by the UAC (no prompts), but I would have thought that running it with full admin rights would have by-passed the UAC.

Also tried running it with the "task scheduler" method which some users employ to avoid UAC issues, but still get the same result.

Are there any gurus out there with the solution?

Many thanks,

Pete

 

[Tookeri]

Hi Pete and welcome to SevenForums!

This can happen with older programs that haven't been modified for UAC. You could try to find a newer program that supports Win 7. A quick search online gave me this: QuicKeys Alternatives and Similar Software - AlternativeTo.net

 

[pete101]

Hi Tookeri,

Many thanks for your prompt reply. It is much appreciated.

I did look at a few alternatives to QuicKeys prior to posting, but couldn't find anything which I personally felt was as good or as flexible (Auto Hotkey was probably the closest).

I have quite a few scripts written in QuicKeys which is another reason why I want to get it working in Windows 7, but the UAC seems to be the stumbling block.

Would have thought that running it under Admin rights would have solved any problems, but alas not !!!!!

Kind regards,

Pete

 

[Tookeri]

Hi Pete,

You can try launching it through Task Scheduler and see if that helps:
Run UAC restricted programs without the UAC prompt - TechRepublic

If that doesn't work you could try to change the scheduled task to run it as SYSTEM instead of your user.

I don't have any old non UAC compatible programs so I can't say if this will work or not.

 

[Tookeri]

Here's another suggestions that involves a Microsoft program that was new to me, "Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit":

How to make old programs work on Windows 7 | News | TechRadar

 

[Jacee]

If you have downloaded the app from another machine, you will have to take 'ownership'.


See if that works, and let us know.

 

[andrew129260]

There is also always xp mode, however you would need to be in the virtual environment for it to capture anything.

 

[Slartybart]

If you have downloaded the app from another machine, you will have to take 'ownership'.

See if that works, and let us know.

Good point Jacee,

Also check the properties of the file, press the Unblock button if it is active.

​

 

[pete101]

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for the suggestions.

@Tookeri: Had already tried the TASK SCHEDULER solution, but decided to give it another bash. Alas same result. Program only runs ok when UAC is switched off (i.e. set to never notify).

@JACEE: Program was downloaded directly from the official website (onto a "brand new" Virtual Manchine).

@andrew129260: Using a virtual environment (Tried XP then swapped to Windows 7). Each attempt is done using a clean build.

As indicated previously the program only runs ok when UAC is switched off. When it's on the program gets blocked. There isn't even a prompt or anything.

It's all very odd as I would have thought that running something as an Administrator would have "overcome" any UAC issues.

Best regards

Pete

 

[Slartybart]

Have all of your attempts been on a Virtual Machine?

What are you using for a VM?

 

[pete101]

Hi Slartybart,

I am using Oracle VM VirtualBox running Windows XP Professional (SP3).

The installed QuicKeys applications runs find on the VM. No problems whatsoever.

However, when I try and capture it using the likes of Cameyo, BoxedApp, Evalaze, etc the resultant output fails to run correctly.

Each attempt is done on a "clean build".

Happy for any suggestions

 

[Slartybart]

Thanks for the feedback.

Still confused though.

I successfully used a macro recording application called QuicKeys on my old XP machine with no issues or problems.

Now that I have upgraded to Windows 7 the application no longer runs correctly i.e. it records the keystrokes/mouse movements ok, but on playback it halts when it reaches a mouse playback and generates a step failed error message.
.....

QuickKeys records the macro without incident in native Win7 - yes?

I'm no guru on this, but doesn't QuickKeys provide the macro playback. I'm confused by when I try and capture it using the likes of Cameyo, BoxedApp, Evalaze, etc the resultant output fails to run correctly.

If I'm reading this correctly - you're running a VM to create the macro and then bundling the macro into a package (Cameyo, BoxedApp, Evalaze) that runs in a virtualized environment. Device drivers need to be accessible in any virtualized computing environment (although a mouse is fairly basic)

I am also by no means a guru on VMs, but found something that might point you in the right direction:
Forwarding USB devices on Oracle VirtualBox | arvydas.co.uk

Good luck, that's about the extent of what I can think of to offer.
+edit

Searched a little more and found this:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/patricka/ar...eirdness-demystifying-uac-virtualization.aspx
and this
http://www.sevenforums.com/virtuali...file-registry-virtualization.html#post1591493

There are other possibles in that thread - see if any help.​

-edit

Bill
.

 

[pete101]

Hi Slartybart,

Many thanks for the pointers. It's much appreciated.

As indicated Quickeys works fine on a native Windows 7 machine providing that the UAC is switched off.

When the UAC is switched on it will still record mouse/keystrokes ok, but won't play them back correctly. The keyboard strokes do still play back ok, but any mouse movements cause a QuicKeys "Step Failed" error. It's as though the UAC is blocking the mouse movement playback. If I switch the UAC off the same macro will then play with no errors.

Therefore, my plan is to try and create a virtual version of Quickeys (using a VM version of XP)

However, none of the packages which I have tried (e.g. Cameyo, BoxedApp, etc) seem to work. The resultant output fails to run on the VM even though QuicKeys itself does work without a hitch on the same VM. Each attempt is done on a clean build.

As an added check I did capture some unrelated programs on the VM, which was just to make sure that the packages weren't missing any system software. They worked ok. Only seems to be QuicKeys that is having problems being captured.

It's all very strange

 

[Slartybart]

Can you run QuickKeys debug (step) playback in native Win7 with UAC on and try to capture the exact error. If it's just Step Failed, I'm not sure how to help.

A possible workaround:
Use Mouse Keys to move the mouse pointer

 

[Slartybart]

It would be very helpful to know if you're running a laptop with a touchpad and an external mouse, or a desktop with a wired or wireless mouse. I'm finding that a few drivers (Logitech) have issues with elevated priviliges - the solution isn't clear, but some suggest rolling back the mouse driver to the base MS driver - you'll lose the add-ons provided by the device mfgr, but if it solves the issue ....

These two reports will provide a lot of information about the hardware so members don't have to ask.

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