Run process which "requires" elevation as non-elevated process or make it "think" it's "elevated"?

2

I have application which I don't want to tamper with my system settings, they require me to run them as administrator but I don't want that. I am 100% sure the applications will work without elevated access. Mainly programs which want to do anything in Program Files, but I install the programs into "Programs" folder (one which I created myself) so the applications don't need elevated access.

How can I run an application which requires elevation as non-elevated when on my admin account?

This would also be especially usefull for applications trying to install legit stuff + "a virus" (which cannot be detected by any AV software).

user144773

Posted 2013-04-26T13:20:36.480

Reputation:

it seems to me you need a virtual machine. – Lorenzo Von Matterhorn – 2013-04-26T13:21:55.287

1This just became a shopping question! – Dave – 2013-04-26T13:23:43.063

@DaveRook please explain why, I don't get it :o (yes I have read this)

– None – 2013-04-26T13:25:23.450

1because you specifically asked for software. – Lorenzo Von Matterhorn – 2013-04-26T13:26:10.043

1@ThePet - I suggest you remove your first comment which starts with is there really no (freeware)program which allows to launch applications as non elevated, then it will be back on topic :) – Dave – 2013-04-26T13:27:19.777

1well any way, system related without third party software or with extra software, I don't care how, as long as it works :P – None – 2013-04-26T13:27:26.980

Done :) 8charsmore – None – 2013-04-26T13:29:49.340

You're basically looking to make portable programs, which will sacrifice file type associations and the like. To avoid being off-topic myself, just google around for "how to make portable programs windows" and you may get somewhere. I've never tried it, but it is a thing. – nerdwaller – 2013-04-26T14:28:13.217

I'm not really looking into making 16GB games into a single .exe XD – None – 2013-04-26T18:10:23.797

is there seriously no way to say to windows: "DON'T run this application as an administrator, even when the app requests it, run it instead as a normal limited user" – None – 2013-04-26T18:12:52.607

@ThePet There is. Turn off UAC, and use non-admin account. There's no other option. – Alexey Ivanov – 2013-04-27T13:11:09.683

Answers

2

If you don't hesitate to modify the exe file:

The exe file contains a manifest; search for something that looks similar to:

<requestedPrivileges>
  <requestedExecutionLevel level="requireAdministrator" uiAccess="false" />
</requestedPrivileges>

(Of course this will look different in the hex editor of your choice.) level could as well be "highestAvailable". Change it to "asInvoker".

(If you don't know how to patch an exe file, you should not try this. In no case use an editor like Notepad.)

Martin

Posted 2013-04-26T13:20:36.480

Reputation: 223

Asked: 2013-04-26T13:20:36.480

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Active: 2013-04-26T19:24:06.333