Applications and the UAC?

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How Would I Check if a program has or needs a "runas admin" permission during runtime? using vb9, VB10, or VB11 beta. Thanks in advance for any answers, or (directions to an article), that could possibly resolve this little problem.

Posted 10-Mar-12 5:42am

rspercy65

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 10-Mar-12 19:22pm

Using the source code of the program in question, or not?
--SA

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-10T13:21:00

Solution 1

I don't think you can do it automatically, even though some static code analysis algorithm could help. You just need to understand what causes permission problems and write code accordingly. Also, you can simply test the code without elevated privileges, but it can give you 100% guarantee, as with any testing, as it is not always possible to exhaust all possible cases in testing.

—SA

Posted 10-Mar-12 13:21pm

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov

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rspercy65 11-Mar-12 9:45am

The code that I am using checks the user for elavated permission(aka: Admin). This is limiting it to a select few which I think is wrong. I want everybody to be able to use the program. For now they will just have to right click for Properties, click compatibility tab and check the "runas" checkbox.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 11-Mar-12 13:32pm

Do I understand you right: you have a problem running code with regular, non-elevating permissions? In this case, you should find out where you have exceptions. It can be as simple as working with some directories not legal in Windows 7. You need to fix such problems. If you cannot locate such problems, you can test the code -- under debugger, or log some information in strategic points and of course catch all exception of top of stack if each thread and log comprehensive exception information. For UI, you should handle all exception in the top event cycle and also lock at the stage of investigation.
--SA

rspercy65 11-Mar-12 17:39pm

The code that Im using only checks for "ADMINS" and nothing else. Basically I want the ("program to check itself") for elavated permission and not the user, then display a message to the user to do the "Right-Click" thing and then click compatibility tab and check the "runas" checkbox.

Sorry for the inconvenience. I am thinking of just telling them in my article that the program needs to be "runas admin". Thanks for your time and patience.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 12-Mar-12 12:08pm

You are welcome.
Wait a second... why would you just check it and nothing else? I don't see the purpose.
Any of the results of the check would not mean that the program actually trying to do anything that would require elevated permissions, as your original question asks about.
--SA

rspercy65 12-Mar-12 15:24pm

Right now my app is forcing the user to get admin rights. I think I'll leave it at that. I think that trying to have the application check itself would be kind of foolish when it is being done already by asking the user to get 'admin rights' before (He or She) can run the app.

Once again, Thanx very much for your help.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 13-Mar-12 0:52am

You are very welcome.

I would agree with that; my only concern would be: admin privileges should only be granted if the functionality of application requires it. You should not get it just for the purpose of running it all. Do you see the point? For example, if the application potentially edits the whole Registry, or cleans up the system, you need it. If it converts general-purpose data somehow and saves it a file -- you don't; you need to let the user to save the files only where it is permitted to her/him.
--SA

rspercy65 13-Mar-12 7:57am

Yes this app does access the regitry on a couple of occassions during the run, and then you dont need it for awhile after that. Its a run-once-aweek application. It is a visual wallpaper changer for the LogonUI and the desktop background. All I have to do now is write the article. Although when Windows 8 comes out, this program will be some-what useless as we will be able to change the logonUI without any third-party programs like this one. It will still be usefull to windows 7 users.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 14-Mar-12 3:44am

Well, if you need elevated privileges in all cases, you should always enforce it, that's right. Look how regedit.exe behave on start with Windows 7. It's supposed to be this way...
--SA