Explain difference: 'run as admin' & typing password as required

[newsgroups.comcast.net]

I really need to understand the difference between running a program (i.e.
installing a piece of software) and supplying an administrator password
(when required) and running that same piece of software using the 'run as
administrator'.

I know there is a difference because I have found out the hard way that some
software MUST use the 'run as administrator' method or the software won't
install properly. Yet I know, too, that some software may simply be
executed from my user account and I am prompted when I need to elevate my
privileges. I am confused as to when I need to do one or the other.

Can someone explain the differences to me ? I really need some help...

Dick

 

[Not Me]

When you are installing a program, you should run the installer as
administrator so all the required permissions are given to the installer.
If you have something that is already installed that wants to make a change
that Windows thinks may be 'malicous' it will bring up a prompt and make you
type in the password to verify that you are performing the action.

 

[Mr. Arnold]

I really need to understand the difference between running a program (i.e.
installing a piece of software) and supplying an administrator password
(when required) and running that same piece of software using the 'run as
administrator'.

I know there is a difference because I have found out the hard way that
some software MUST use the 'run as administrator' method or the software
won't install properly. Yet I know, too, that some software may simply be
executed from my user account and I am prompted when I need to elevate my
privileges. I am confused as to when I need to do one or the other.

Can someone explain the differences to me ? I really need some help...

Even a user with Admin rights on Vista is locked down in some situations
with Standard user rights. In order for you to do some things even with
Admin rights, the privileges for the Admin must be escalated to do so with
Run As Administrator.

The same holds true with the privileges of a program where as the programs
rights to do something can only be done when the program is started with Run
As Administrator to escalate its privileges.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

By default, all accounts - even an admin - are locked down and do not have
permission to write to or alter designated system folders. This is to
prevent malware from usurping the user's privileges to write to a system
folder or make changes without the user's knowledge. This includes the
Program Files directory. Software designed for Vista runs from a virtual
folder within the user's appdata directory where the user has the right
level of privilege. Software not designed for Vista tries to run from the
Program Files directory, writing to and altering files, where the user does
not have the default level of privilege necessary for those actions. For
this to work, they have to specifically invoke it using 'run as
administrator'.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com