A Quick and Easy Way to Run a Program Without Getting the UAC Prompt in Windows 7 and 8 [1]
Even when you are running as administrator [3], certain programs and scripts still trigger the UAC prompt. If you are a frequent user of a program and know it is safe, this becomes a nuisance. A previous tip [4] showed how to create a shortcut to get around this problem but the procedure takes quite a few steps. Here is another approach that is provided by a small free utility. It will create the shortcut for you in a jiffy.
The program is called ElevatedShortcut for Windows 7 and Windows 8 and is from WinAero [5]. It is portable and needs no installation. There are two executables provided, one for Windows 7 and one for Windows 8. I have used it in Windows 7 and 8, 64-bit, with no problem.
Click the executable file and you get the interface shown in the figure below. Ironically, opening the utility itself triggers the UAC prompt because of its nature. I haven't tried it but I suppose you could create a shortcut for itself to avoid UAC. In any event, using it to create a new shortcut or to modify an old one is very quick and easy.
- Click the button "New shortcut" shown in the figure above and you get the straightforward window shown in the figure shown next.
- An Explorer dialog can then be opened by clicking the button on the right of the "Target path" line. From there you select the program file that the shortcut is for.
- After the chosen program is entered in the "Target path" line, enter any command line arguments that are needed. Generally, you can ignore this but a script might need an entry.
- Click the button on the right of the line for "Folder to store shortcut". From the Explorer dialog that opens, select the location you want. I show the Desktop as an illustration in the figure below.
- Click “OK” and you’re done.
In similar fashion, you can elevate a previously existing shortcut with "Modify shortcut". You can also remove a previously elevated shortcut.
And there you have it – no more UAC.
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This tips section is maintained by Vic Laurie [7]. Vic runs several websites with Windows how-to's, guides, and tutorials, including a site for learning about Windows and the Internet [8] and another with Windows 7 tips [9].
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