Add a UAC shield to a button when elevation is required for admin tasks

return Environment.OSVersion.Version.Major < 6;

return Environment.OSVersion.Version.Major > 5;

        public static void RemoveShieldFromButton(Button b)
        {
            b.FlatStyle = FlatStyle.System;
            SendMessage(b.Handle, BCM_SETSHIELD, 0, 0x0);
        }

using System;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Security;
using System.Security.Principal;
using System.Windows.Forms;
 
namespace StudioControls.Controls
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Makes a button that shows a shield if its application is run without admin privileges.
    /// 
    /// This control also calls up a UAC privilege escalation prompt when clicked, which is what the user expects when clicking such a "Shield" button.
    /// </summary>
    /// <example>
    /// Just drop this button in your form, and bind actions to its click event that you know would require admin privileges.
    /// If the user is an admin, there will be no shield icon, or prompt.
    /// 
    /// If you want to hide the button from an admins view, like you just want to get admin privileges, then you don't need to hook onto the click event.
    /// Just check with this controls public static member "IsAdmin()" and make this control not visible if true.
    /// 
    /// The OnClick event will trigger a UAC escalation attempt where if the user obtains admin privileges, that the program will restart. Then the second time
    /// the program is loaded, with admin privileges, then whatever is bound to the Click event will get called.
    /// 
    /// Some things to watch for:
    /// 1.  if the user gets admin priviliges, the program will restart... so your program might require saving and restoring of program state.
    ///     You can listen for this in general by hooking onto this event "Application.ApplicationExit += ..."
    ///    
    ///     However, their is no way to differentiate between UAC starting the application shutdown/restart, and a normal shutdown, so i included additional events:
    ///         EscalationStarting
    ///         EscalationCancelled
    ///         EscalationProgramRestart
    ///     
    /// 2.  When your program restarts, make sure you preserve your programs StartPosition, else it might look sloppy if it suddenly moves from where it appears in the greyed out UAC background... but then again... the taskmanager doesn't care about its StartPosition when you press "Show processes from all users" and it restarts lol. For me i just use StartPosition = CenterScreen for the affected forms.
    /// </example>
    /// <remarks>
    /// Reference: 
    ///     http://www.codeproject.com/KB/vista-security/UAC_Shield_for_Elevation.aspx, 
    ///     http://buildingsecurecode.blogspot.com/2007/06/how-to-display-uac-shield-icon-inside.html
    /// </remarks>
    public class StudioShieldButton : Button
    {
        #region Properties
 
        #region FlatStyle Appearance Property
 
        /// <summary>
        /// Determines the appearance of the control when a user moves the mouse the mouse over the control and clicks.
        /// </summary>
        [
        Category("Appearance"),
        Description("Determines the appearance of the control when a user moves the mouse the mouse over the control and clicks."),
        DefaultValue(typeof(FlatStyle), "System"),
        ReadOnly(true),
        Browsable(false)
        ]
        public new FlatStyle FlatStyle
        {
            get { return base.FlatStyle; }
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
 
        #region DllImports
 
        private const uint BCM_SETSHIELD = 0x0000160C;
 
        [DllImport("user32.dll")]
        private static extern IntPtr SendMessage(HandleRef hWnd, uint Msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam);
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Constructor
 
        public StudioShieldButton()
        {
            base.FlatStyle = FlatStyle.System; // This must be FlatStyle.System for the shield to work
            // I also locked the FlatStyle property:
            //   DefaultValue(typeof(FlatStyle), "System"), 
            //   ReadOnly(true),
            //   Browsable(false) 
            // so hopefully vs.net won't try to serialize it.

            if (!HasAdminPrivileges()) // then show the shield on the button
            {
                // Send the BCM_SETSHIELD message to the button control
                SendMessage(new HandleRef(this, this.Handle), BCM_SETSHIELD, new IntPtr(0), new IntPtr(1));
            }
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Members
 
        public static bool HasAdminPrivileges()
        {
            WindowsIdentity windowsIdentity = WindowsIdentity.GetCurrent();
            WindowsPrincipal windowsPrincipal = new WindowsPrincipal(windowsIdentity);
            return windowsPrincipal.IsInRole(WindowsBuiltInRole.Administrator);
        }
 
        private void AttemptPrivilegeEscalation()
        {
            if (HasAdminPrivileges())
                throw new SecurityException("Already have administrator privileges.");
 
            ProcessStartInfo startInfo = new ProcessStartInfo();
            startInfo.UseShellExecute = true;
            startInfo.WorkingDirectory = Environment.CurrentDirectory;
            startInfo.FileName = Application.ExecutablePath;
            startInfo.Verb = "runas"; // will bring up the UAC run-as menu when this ProcessStartInfo is used

            #region OnUACEscalationStarting
 
            if (UACEscalationStarting != null)
            {
                UACEscalationStarting(this, new EventArgs());
            }
 
            #endregion
 
            try
            {
                Process.Start(startInfo);
            }
            catch (System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception) //occurs when the user has clicked Cancel on the UAC prompt.
            {
                #region OnUACEscalationCancelled
 
                if (UACEscalationCancelled != null)
                {
                    UACEscalationCancelled(this, new EventArgs());
                }
 
                #endregion
 
                return; // By returning, we are ignoring the user tried to get UAC priviliges but then hit cancel at the Run-As prompt.
            }
            
            // If we get here, the user successfully got admin powers (for another instance of this program), 
            // so close this low-priviliged instance of the program.

            #region OnUACEscalationAndProgramRestart
 
            if (UACEscalationAndProgramRestart != null)
            {
                UACEscalationAndProgramRestart(this, new EventArgs());
            }
 
            #endregion
 
            Application.Exit(); 
        }
        
        #endregion
 
        #region Overrided Members
 
        protected override void OnClick(EventArgs e)
        {
            if(HasAdminPrivileges()) // this can only be called if we're an admin.
                base.OnClick(e);
 
            //Their doesn't seem to be a way to achieve admin privileges without a restart, so the only other option is
            //assume the user is seeking admin privileges and help them try to.

            else
                AttemptPrivilegeEscalation();   
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Events
 
        #region UACEscalationStarting Action
 
        [Category("Action")]
        [Description("This is your last chance to save your programs state, because there’s a good chance a program restart will occur, but only if the user successfully achieves admin privileges with the UAC prompt.")]
        public event EventHandler UACEscalationStarting;
 
        #endregion
 
        #region UACEscalationCancelled Action
 
        [Category("Action")]
        [Description("The user cancelled the UAC privilege escalation prompt. There will be no program restart.")]
        public event EventHandler UACEscalationCancelled;
 
        #endregion
 
        #region UACEscalationAndProgramRestart Action
 
        [Category("Action")]
        [Description("The user was successful in getting admin privileges so now this application will exit, and just previously a new instance was started.")]
        public event EventHandler UACEscalationAndProgramRestart;
 
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
    }
}

using System;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Drawing.Design;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Security;
using System.Security.Principal;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Windows.Forms.Design;
 
namespace StudioControls.Controls
{  
    /// <summary>
    /// Makes a button that shows a shield if its application is run without admin privileges.
    /// 
    /// This control also calls up a UAC privilege escalation prompt when clicked, which is what the user expects when clicking such a "Shield" button.
    /// 
    /// This control can be configured to restart the current application with admin privileges, or start a new application with admin priileges, 
    /// pending UAC privilege escalation login. Just set the EscalationGoal property to do this.
    /// 
    /// But for anything other then achieving admin privileges, but requires admin privileges, hook the Click event and put what you want
    /// there. Only an admin will be able to enter your event.
    /// </summary>
    /// <example>
    /// Just drop this button in your form, and bind actions to its click event that you know would require admin privileges.
    /// If the user is an admin, there will be no shield icon, or prompt.
    /// 
    /// NOTE: if the CURRENT program requires admin privileges, then it must be restarted... but the default behavior is to start a DIFFERANT
    /// appliction with admin privileges so set the EscalationGoal property accordingly.
    /// 
    /// If you want to hide the button from an admins view, like you just want to get admin privileges with this button, then just check with this 
    /// controls public static member "IsAdmin()" and make this control not visible if true.
    /// 
    /// Some things to watch for:
    /// 
    /// 0.  AlwaysShowShield property for your enjoyment.
    /// 
    /// 1.  Not all UAC privilege escalation requires a program restart, for example in "programs and features", the "turn windows features on or off" 
    ///     feature opens a new application without closing the one which spawned it.
    /// 
    ///     Use the following property to specify loading a new process:
    ///         EscalationCustomProcessPath //leave it default = "" and it'll load Application.ExecutablePath.
    /// 
    /// 2.  if the user gets admin priviliges, and this controls EscalationGoal = EscalationGoal.RestartThisApplication, 
    ///     the program will restart... so your program might require saving and restoring of program state.
    ///     You can listen for this in general by hooking onto this event "Application.ApplicationExit += ..."
    ///     However, their is no way to differentiate between UAC starting the application shutdown/restart, and a normal shutdown, so i included 
    ///     additional events:
    ///         EscalationStarting
    ///         EscalationCancelled
    ///         EscalationSuccessful
    ///         
    ///     Note: if EscalationGoal = EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication then this program will not exit.
    ///     
    /// 3.  When your program restarts, make sure you preserve your programs StartPosition, else it might look sloppy if it suddenly moves from where it
    ///     appears in the greyed out UAC background... but then again... the taskmanager doesn't care about its StartPosition when you press 
    ///     "Show processes from all users" and it restarts lol. For me i just use StartPosition = CenterScreen for the affected forms.
    /// </example>
    /// <remarks>
    /// Reference: 
    ///     http://www.codeproject.com/KB/vista-security/UAC_Shield_for_Elevation.aspx, 
    ///     http://buildingsecurecode.blogspot.com/2007/06/how-to-display-uac-shield-icon-inside.html
    /// </remarks>
    public class StudioShieldButton : Button
    {
        #region Fields
 
        public delegate void EscalationHandler(EscalationGoal escalationGoal, object sender, EventArgs e);
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Properties
 
        #region FlatStyle Appearance Property
 
        /// <summary>
        /// Determines the appearance of the control when a user moves the mouse the mouse over the control and clicks.
        /// </summary>
        [
        Category("Appearance"),
        Description("Determines the appearance of the control when a user moves the mouse the mouse over the control and clicks."),
        DefaultValue(typeof(FlatStyle), "System"),
        ReadOnly(true),
        Browsable(false)
        ]
        public new FlatStyle FlatStyle
        {
            get { return base.FlatStyle; }
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        #region AlwaysShowShield Appearance Property
 
        private bool alwaysShowShield = false;
        /// <summary>
        /// Gets or sets if the shield icon should always be visible.
        /// </summary>
        [
        Category("Appearance"),
        Description("Gets or sets if the shield icon should always be visible."),
        DefaultValue(typeof(bool), "false"),
        ]
        public bool AlwaysShowShield
        {
            get { return alwaysShowShield; }
            set 
            { 
                alwaysShowShield = value;
 
                if (!HasAdminPrivileges() || alwaysShowShield) // then show the shield on the button
                {
                    // Show the shield
                    SendMessage(new HandleRef(this, this.Handle), BCM_SETSHIELD, new IntPtr(0), new IntPtr(1)); // the (1) for true
                }
                    
                else
                {
                    // Hide the shield
                    SendMessage(new HandleRef(this, this.Handle), BCM_SETSHIELD, new IntPtr(0), new IntPtr(0)); // the (0) for false
                }
                    
            }
        }
 
        #region Serialization
        /// <summary>
        /// Should serialize AlwaysShowShield property.
        /// </summary>
        /// <returns>True if should serialize, else false.</returns>
        private bool ShouldSerializeAlwaysShowShield()
        {
            //Only serialize nondefault values
            return (alwaysShowShield != false);
        }
        /// <summary>
        /// Resets AlwaysShowShield property.
        /// </summary>
        private void ResetAlwaysShowShield()
        {
            alwaysShowShield = false;
 
            if (HasAdminPrivileges()) // then show the shield on the button
            {
                // Show the shield
                SendMessage(new HandleRef(this, this.Handle), BCM_SETSHIELD, new IntPtr(0), new IntPtr(1)); // the (1) for true
            }
 
            else
            {
                // Hide the shield
                SendMessage(new HandleRef(this, this.Handle), BCM_SETSHIELD, new IntPtr(0), new IntPtr(0)); // the (0) for false
            }
        }
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
 
        #region EscalationGoal Behavior Property
 
        private EscalationGoal escalationGoal = EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication;
        /// <summary>
        /// Gets or sets the EscalationGoal for this UAC "shield" button.
        /// </summary>
        [
        Category("Behavior"),
        Description("Gets or sets the EscalationGoal for this UAC \"shield\" button."),
        DefaultValue(typeof(EscalationGoal), "StartAnotherApplication")
        ]
        public EscalationGoal EscalationGoal
        {
            get { return escalationGoal; }
            set { escalationGoal = value; }
        }
 
        #region Serialization
        /// <summary>
        /// Should serialize EscalationGoal property.
        /// </summary>
        /// <returns>True if should serialize, else false.</returns>
        private bool ShouldSerializeEscalationGoal()
        {
            //Only serialize nondefault values
            return (escalationGoal != EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication);
        }
        /// <summary>
        /// Resets EscalationGoal property.
        /// </summary>
        private void ResetEscalationGoal()
        {
            escalationGoal = EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication;
        }
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
 
        #region EscalationCustomProcessPath Behavior Property
 
        private string escalationCustomProcessPath = String.Empty;
        /// <summary>
        /// Gets or sets the path to the application that this program starts when hit. 
        /// Leave it \"\" to load the current Application.ExecutablePath.
        /// </summary>
        [
        Category("Behavior"),
        Description("Gets or sets the path to the application that this program starts when hit. Leave it \"\" to load the current Application.ExecutablePath."),
        DefaultValue(typeof(string), "\"\""),
        Editor(typeof(FilteredFileNameEditor /*FileNameEditor*/), typeof(UITypeEditor))
        ]
        public string EscalationCustomProcessPath
        {
            get { return escalationCustomProcessPath; }
            set { escalationCustomProcessPath = value; }
        }
 
        #region Serialization
        /// <summary>
        /// Should serialize EscalationCustomProcessPath property.
        /// </summary>
        /// <returns>True if should serialize, else false.</returns>
        private bool ShouldSerializeEscalationCustomProcessPath()
        {
            //Only serialize nondefault values
            return (escalationCustomProcessPath != String.Empty);
        }
        /// <summary>
        /// Resets EscalationCustomProcessPath property.
        /// </summary>
        private void ResetEscalationCustomProcessPath()
        {
            escalationCustomProcessPath = String.Empty;
        }
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
 
        #region DllImports
 
        private const uint BCM_SETSHIELD = 0x0000160C;
 
        [DllImport("user32.dll")]
        private static extern IntPtr SendMessage(HandleRef hWnd, uint Msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam);
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Constructor
 
        public StudioShieldButton()
        {
            base.FlatStyle = FlatStyle.System; // This must be FlatStyle.System for the shield to work
            // I also locked the FlatStyle property:
            //   DefaultValue(typeof(FlatStyle), "System"), 
            //   ReadOnly(true),
            //   Browsable(false) 
            // so hopefully vs.net won't try to serialize it.

            AlwaysShowShield = alwaysShowShield; //i'm forcing the code in the Set{} of "AlwaysShowShield" to run.
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Members
 
        public static bool HasAdminPrivileges()
        {
            WindowsIdentity windowsIdentity = WindowsIdentity.GetCurrent();
            WindowsPrincipal windowsPrincipal = new WindowsPrincipal(windowsIdentity);
            return windowsPrincipal.IsInRole(WindowsBuiltInRole.Administrator);
        }
 
        private ProcessStartInfo EscalationCustomProcessStartInfo()
        {
            ProcessStartInfo startInfo = new ProcessStartInfo();
            startInfo.UseShellExecute = true;
            startInfo.FileName = (escalationCustomProcessPath == String.Empty) ? Application.ExecutablePath : escalationCustomProcessPath;
            startInfo.Verb = "runas"; // will bring up the UAC run-as menu when this ProcessStartInfo is used

            return startInfo;
        }
 
        private void AttemptPrivilegeEscalation()
        {
            if (HasAdminPrivileges())
                throw new SecurityException("Already have administrator privileges.");
 
            ProcessStartInfo startInfo = EscalationCustomProcessStartInfo();
 
            OnEscalationStarting(escalationGoal, this, new EventArgs());
 
            try
            {
                Process.Start(startInfo);
            }
 
            catch (System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception) //occurs when the user has clicked Cancel on the UAC prompt.
            {
                OnEscalationCancelled(escalationGoal, this, new EventArgs());
                return; // By returning, we are ignoring the user tried to get UAC priviliges but then hit cancel at the "Run-As" prompt.
            }
 
            OnEscalationSuccessful(escalationGoal, this, new EventArgs());
 
            if (escalationGoal == EscalationGoal.RestartThisApplication) // so at this point the program would of already been restarted
                Application.Exit(); 
        }
 
        private void OnEscalationStarting(EscalationGoal escalationGoal, object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (EscalationStarting != null)
            {
                EscalationStarting(escalationGoal, sender, e);
            }
        }
 
        private void OnEscalationCancelled(EscalationGoal escalationGoal, object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (EscalationCancelled != null)
            {
                EscalationCancelled(escalationGoal, sender, e);
            }
        }
 
        private void OnEscalationSuccessful(EscalationGoal escalationGoal, object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (EscalationSuccessful != null)
            {
                EscalationSuccessful(escalationGoal, sender, e);
            }
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Overrided Members
 
        protected override void OnClick(EventArgs e)
        {
            if (HasAdminPrivileges()) // this can only be called if we're an admin, else we get security exceptions.
            {
                if(escalationGoal == EscalationGoal.RestartThisApplication) // if the button was intended to restart this app for the sake of getting admin power, well we got admin power now so do the click event.
                    base.OnClick(e);
 
                else if (escalationGoal == EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication)
                { 
                    ProcessStartInfo startInfo = EscalationCustomProcessStartInfo();
 
                    //todo: slight issue with this... when the program is in admin status... 
                    //if my EscalationCustomProcessPath is set to some random program that goes online right away
                    //i get norton saying this application program (not the other program) is trying to connect to the internet...

                    try
                    {
                        Process.Start(startInfo);
                    }
 
                    catch (System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception) //occurs when the user has clicked Cancel on some "Open File - Security Warning" form.
                    {
                    }
                }
            }
 
            else
                AttemptPrivilegeEscalation();   
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Events
 
        #region EscalationStarting Action
 
        [Category("Action")]
        [Description("A UAC privilege escalation is going to start next.")]
        public event EscalationHandler EscalationStarting;
 
        #endregion
 
        #region EscalationCancelled Action
 
        [Category("Action")]
        [Description("The user cancelled the UAC privilege escalation prompt.")]
        public event EscalationHandler EscalationCancelled;
 
        #endregion
 
        #region EscalationSuccessful Action
 
        [Category("Action")]
        [Description("The user was successful in getting admin privileges.")]
        public event EscalationHandler EscalationSuccessful;
 
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
    }
 
    public enum EscalationGoal
    {
        RestartThisApplication,
        StartAnotherApplication
    }
 
    //http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:2HrHWneYMSAJ:forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx%3FPostID%3D66703%26SiteID%3D1+UITypeEditor+directory+path+Editor+property&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
    internal class FilteredFileNameEditor : UITypeEditor
    {
        private OpenFileDialog ofd = new OpenFileDialog();
 
        public override UITypeEditorEditStyle GetEditStyle(ITypeDescriptorContext context)
        {
            return UITypeEditorEditStyle.Modal;
        }
 
        public override object EditValue(ITypeDescriptorContext context, IServiceProvider provider, object value)
        {
            ofd.FileName = value.ToString();
            ofd.Filter = "Programs|*.exe|All Files|*.*";
            //ofd.Filter = "Programs|*.exe;*.pif,*.com;*.bat;*.cmd|All Files|*.*"; 
            //ofd.Filter = "Text File|*.txt|All Files|*.*";
            if (ofd.ShowDialog() == DialogResult.OK)
            {
                return ofd.FileName;
            }
            return base.EditValue(context, provider, value);
        }
    }
}

using System;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Drawing.Design;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Security;
using System.Security.Principal;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Windows.Forms.Design;
using System.IO;
 
namespace StudioControls.Controls
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Makes a button that shows a shield if its application is run without admin privileges.
    /// 
    /// This control can be used to restart the current application with admin, or start another with admin.
    /// 
    /// Place code in a subscribed Click event that you only want executed by administrators.
    /// The reason is, you can use the button to both obtain admin power via UAC, and when the program restarts
    /// it'll loose the shield icon (but theirs a option to still show it), and then whatever code you wanted
    /// to be executed in the click event --- for admin only --- can now be executed in the priviliged app.
    /// </summary>
    /// <example>
    /// Some things to watch for:
    /// 
    /// 0.  AlwaysShowShield property for your enjoyment.
    /// 
    /// 1.  Not all UAC privilege escalation requires a program restart, for example in "programs and features", the "turn windows features on or off" 
    ///     feature opens a new application without closing the one which spawned it.
    /// 
    ///     Use the following properties to specify loading a new process:
    ///
    ///         EscalationCustomProcessPath = string path to a .exe, etc
    ///         EscalationGoal = EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication;
    ///     
    /// 2.  if the user gets admin priviliges, and this controls EscalationGoal = EscalationGoal.RestartThisApplication, 
    ///     the program will restart... so your program might require saving and restoring of program state.
    ///     You can listen for this in general by hooking onto this event "Application.ApplicationExit += ..."
    ///     However, their is no way to differentiate between UAC starting the application shutdown/restart, and a normal shutdown, 
    ///     so i included additional events:
    ///
    ///         EscalationStarting
    ///         EscalationCancelled
    ///         EscalationSuccessful
    ///         
    ///     Note: if EscalationGoal = EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication then this program will not exit.
    ///     
    /// 3.  When your program restarts, make sure you preserve your programs StartPosition, else it might look sloppy if it suddenly moves from where it
    ///     appears in the greyed out UAC background... but then again... the taskmanager doesn't care about its StartPosition when you press 
    ///     "Show processes from all users" and it restarts lol. For me i just use StartPosition = CenterScreen for the affected forms.
    /// </example>
    /// <remarks>
    /// Reference: 
    ///     http://www.codeproject.com/KB/vista-security/UAC_Shield_for_Elevation.aspx, 
    ///     http://buildingsecurecode.blogspot.com/2007/06/how-to-display-uac-shield-icon-inside.html
    /// </remarks>
    public class StudioShieldButton : Button
    {
        #region Fields
 
        public delegate void EscalationHandler(EscalationGoal escalationGoal, object sender, EventArgs e);
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Properties
 
        #region FlatStyle Appearance Property
 
        /// <summary>
        /// Determines the appearance of the control when a user moves the mouse the mouse over the control and clicks.
        /// </summary>
        [
        Category("Appearance"),
        Description("Determines the appearance of the control when a user moves the mouse the mouse over the control and clicks."),
        DefaultValue(typeof(FlatStyle), "System"),
        ReadOnly(true),
        Browsable(false)
        ]
        public new FlatStyle FlatStyle
        {
            get { return base.FlatStyle; }
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        #region AlwaysShowShield Appearance Property
 
        private bool alwaysShowShield = false;
        /// <summary>
        /// Gets or sets if the shield icon should always be visible.
        /// </summary>
        [
        Category("Appearance"),
        Description("Gets or sets if the shield icon should always be visible."),
        DefaultValue(typeof(bool), "false"),
        ]
        public bool AlwaysShowShield
        {
            get { return alwaysShowShield; }
            set
            {
                alwaysShowShield = value;
 
                if (!UACUtilities.HasAdminPrivileges() || alwaysShowShield) // then show the shield on the button
                {
                    // Show the shield
                    SendMessage(new HandleRef(this, this.Handle), BCM_SETSHIELD, new IntPtr(0), new IntPtr(1)); // the (1) for true
                }
 
                else
                {
                    // Hide the shield
                    SendMessage(new HandleRef(this, this.Handle), BCM_SETSHIELD, new IntPtr(0), new IntPtr(0)); // the (0) for false
                }
 
            }
        }
 
        #region Serialization
        /// <summary>
        /// Should serialize AlwaysShowShield property.
        /// </summary>
        /// <returns>True if should serialize, else false.</returns>
        private bool ShouldSerializeAlwaysShowShield()
        {
            //Only serialize nondefault values
            return (alwaysShowShield != false);
        }
        /// <summary>
        /// Resets AlwaysShowShield property.
        /// </summary>
        private void ResetAlwaysShowShield()
        {
            alwaysShowShield = false;
 
            if (UACUtilities.HasAdminPrivileges()) // then show the shield on the button
            {
                // Show the shield
                SendMessage(new HandleRef(this, this.Handle), BCM_SETSHIELD, new IntPtr(0), new IntPtr(1)); // the (1) for true
            }
 
            else
            {
                // Hide the shield
                SendMessage(new HandleRef(this, this.Handle), BCM_SETSHIELD, new IntPtr(0), new IntPtr(0)); // the (0) for false
            }
        }
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
 
        #region EscalationGoal Behavior Property
 
        private EscalationGoal escalationGoal = EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication;
        /// <summary>
        /// Gets or sets the EscalationGoal for this UAC "shield" button.
        /// </summary>
        [
        Category("Behavior"),
        Description("Gets or sets the EscalationGoal for this UAC \"shield\" button."),
        DefaultValue(typeof(EscalationGoal), "StartAnotherApplication")
        ]
        public EscalationGoal EscalationGoal
        {
            get { return escalationGoal; }
            set { escalationGoal = value; }
        }
 
        #region Serialization
        /// <summary>
        /// Should serialize EscalationGoal property.
        /// </summary>
        /// <returns>True if should serialize, else false.</returns>
        private bool ShouldSerializeEscalationGoal()
        {
            //Only serialize nondefault values
            return (escalationGoal != EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication);
        }
        /// <summary>
        /// Resets EscalationGoal property.
        /// </summary>
        private void ResetEscalationGoal()
        {
            escalationGoal = EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication;
        }
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
 
        #region EscalationCustomProcessPath Behavior Property
 
        private string escalationCustomProcessPath = String.Empty;
        /// <summary>
        /// Gets or sets the path to the application that this program starts when hit. 
        /// Leave it \"\" to load the current Application.ExecutablePath.
        /// </summary>
        [
        Category("Behavior"),
        Description("Gets or sets the path to the application that this program starts when hit. Leave it \"\" to load the current Application.ExecutablePath."),
        DefaultValue(typeof(string), "\"\""),
        Editor(typeof(FilteredFileNameEditor /*FileNameEditor*/), typeof(UITypeEditor))
        ]
        public string EscalationCustomProcessPath
        {
            get { return escalationCustomProcessPath; }
            set { escalationCustomProcessPath = value; }
        }
 
        #region Serialization
        /// <summary>
        /// Should serialize EscalationCustomProcessPath property.
        /// </summary>
        /// <returns>True if should serialize, else false.</returns>
        private bool ShouldSerializeEscalationCustomProcessPath()
        {
            //Only serialize nondefault values
            return (escalationCustomProcessPath != String.Empty);
        }
        /// <summary>
        /// Resets EscalationCustomProcessPath property.
        /// </summary>
        private void ResetEscalationCustomProcessPath()
        {
            escalationCustomProcessPath = String.Empty;
        }
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
 
        #region DllImports
 
        private const uint BCM_SETSHIELD = 0x0000160C;
 
        [DllImport("user32.dll")]
        private static extern IntPtr SendMessage(HandleRef hWnd, uint Msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam);
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Constructor
 
        public StudioShieldButton()
        {
            base.FlatStyle = FlatStyle.System; // This must be FlatStyle.System for the shield to work
            // I also locked the FlatStyle property:
            //   DefaultValue(typeof(FlatStyle), "System"), 
            //   ReadOnly(true),
            //   Browsable(false) 
            // so hopefully vs.net won't try to serialize it.

            AlwaysShowShield = alwaysShowShield; //i'm forcing the code in the Set{} of "AlwaysShowShield" to run.
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Members
 
        private string EscalationProcessPath()
        {
            string path;
 
            if (escalationGoal == EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication)
            {
                if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(escalationCustomProcessPath))
                    throw new Exception("escalationGoal == EscalationGoal.StartAnotherApplication but escalationCustomProcessPath is null or empty.");
 
                path = escalationCustomProcessPath;
            }
 
            else
                path = Application.ExecutablePath;
 
            return path;
        }        
 
        private void OnEscalationStarting(EscalationGoal escalationGoal, object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (EscalationStarting != null)
            {
                EscalationStarting(escalationGoal, sender, e);
            }
        }
 
        private void OnEscalationCancelled(EscalationGoal escalationGoal, object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (EscalationCancelled != null)
            {
                EscalationCancelled(escalationGoal, sender, e);
            }
        }
 
        private void OnEscalationSuccessful(EscalationGoal escalationGoal, object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if (EscalationSuccessful != null)
            {
                EscalationSuccessful(escalationGoal, sender, e);
            }
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Overrided Members
 
        protected override void OnClick(EventArgs e)
        {
            if (UACUtilities.HasAdminPrivileges())
                base.OnClick(e);  // this can only be called if we're an admin, we are assuming it contains admin-only stuff

            else
            {
                UACUtilities.AttemptPrivilegeEscalation(
                    EscalationProcessPath(),
                    delegate()
                    {
                        OnEscalationStarting(escalationGoal, this, new EventArgs());
                    },
                    delegate()
                    {
                        OnEscalationCancelled(escalationGoal, this, new EventArgs());
                    },
                    delegate()
                    {
                        OnEscalationSuccessful(escalationGoal, this, new EventArgs());
 
                        if (escalationGoal == EscalationGoal.RestartThisApplication)
                            Application.Exit();
                    });
            }
        }
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Events
 
        #region EscalationStarting Action
 
        [Category("Action")]
        [Description("A UAC privilege escalation is going to start next.")]
        public event EscalationHandler EscalationStarting;
 
        #endregion
 
        #region EscalationCancelled Action
 
        [Category("Action")]
        [Description("The user cancelled the UAC privilege escalation prompt.")]
        public event EscalationHandler EscalationCancelled;
 
        #endregion
 
        #region EscalationSuccessful Action
 
        [Category("Action")]
        [Description("The user was successful in getting admin privileges.")]
        public event EscalationHandler EscalationSuccessful;
 
        #endregion
 
        #endregion
    }
 
    public class UACUtilities
    {
        #region Fields
 
        public delegate void EscalationEvent();
 
        #endregion
 
        #region Members
 
        public static bool HasAdminPrivileges()
        {
            WindowsIdentity windowsIdentity = WindowsIdentity.GetCurrent();
            WindowsPrincipal windowsPrincipal = new WindowsPrincipal(windowsIdentity);
            return windowsPrincipal.IsInRole(WindowsBuiltInRole.Administrator);
        }
 
        public static ProcessStartInfo EscalationProcessStartInfo(string path)
        {
            if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(path))
                throw new ArgumentNullException("path");
 
            if (!File.Exists(path))
                throw new FileNotFoundException("path");
 
            ProcessStartInfo startInfo = new ProcessStartInfo();
            startInfo.UseShellExecute = true;
            startInfo.FileName = path;
            startInfo.Verb = "runas"; // will bring up the UAC run-as menu when this ProcessStartInfo is used

            return startInfo;
        }
 
        public static void AttemptPrivilegeEscalation(string path)
        {
            if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(path))
                throw new ArgumentNullException("path");
 
            AttemptPrivilegeEscalation(path, null, null, null);
        }
 
        public static void AttemptPrivilegeEscalation(string path, EscalationEvent starting, EscalationEvent cancelled, EscalationEvent successful)
        {
            if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(path))
                throw new ArgumentNullException("path");
 
            if (!File.Exists(path))
                throw new FileNotFoundException("path");
 
            if (HasAdminPrivileges())
                throw new SecurityException("Already have administrator privileges.");
 
            ProcessStartInfo startInfo = EscalationProcessStartInfo(path);
 
            if(starting != null)
                starting();
 
            ////todo: slight issue with this... when the program is in admin status... 
            ////if my EscalationCustomProcessPath is set to some random program that goes online right away
            ////i get norton saying this application program (not the other program) is trying to connect to the internet...

            try
            {
                Process.Start(startInfo);
            }
 
            catch (System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception) //occurs when the user has clicked Cancel on the UAC prompt.
            {
                if(cancelled != null)
                    cancelled();
                
                return; // By returning, we are ignoring the user tried to get UAC priviliges but then hit cancel at the "Run-As" prompt.
            }
 
            if(successful != null)
                successful();
        }
 
        #endregion
    }
 
    public enum EscalationGoal
    {
        RestartThisApplication,
        StartAnotherApplication
    }
 
    //http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:2HrHWneYMSAJ:forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx%3FPostID%3D66703%26SiteID%3D1+UITypeEditor+directory+path+Editor+property&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
    internal class FilteredFileNameEditor : UITypeEditor
    {
        private OpenFileDialog ofd = new OpenFileDialog();
 
        public override UITypeEditorEditStyle GetEditStyle(ITypeDescriptorContext context)
        {
            return UITypeEditorEditStyle.Modal;
        }
 
        public override object EditValue(ITypeDescriptorContext context, IServiceProvider provider, object value)
        {
            ofd.FileName = value.ToString();
            ofd.Filter = "Programs|*.exe|All Files|*.*";
            //ofd.Filter = "Programs|*.exe;*.pif,*.com;*.bat;*.cmd|All Files|*.*"; 
            //ofd.Filter = "Text File|*.txt|All Files|*.*";
            if (ofd.ShowDialog() == DialogResult.OK)
            {
                return ofd.FileName;
            }
            return base.EditValue(context, provider, value);
        }
    }
}