Add an Option to always run Flow launcher as Administrator on startup

[Dev123456689]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

A plugin called 'WinHotkey' need administrator previlages to run properly which resulted me to ask for this feature.

Describe the solution you'd like

An option in the General settings below 'Start flow Launcher at system startup' as 'Run Flow launcher as administrator on startup' or something like so.

Describe alternatives you've considered

My single cell smooth brain worked very hard but couldn't find an alternative.

Additional context

Please add this feature.

[JohnTheGr8]

Try this:

• open Task Manager
• go to the Startup tab
• find flow launcher in the list
• right click -> Properties -> Compatibility
• check Run this program as an administrator

[Dev123456689]

i have used task scheduler to achieve the same but it would be nice if an option can be added to run flow launcher as administrator.

[Dev123456689]

@JohnTheGr8
I have responded 2 weeks ago, remove the lable 'Waiting for response' from this issue. I have reported the issue a month ago and there is no outcome of it except for waiting

[JohnTheGr8]

@JohnTheGr8 I have responded 2 weeks ago, remove the lable 'Waiting for response' from this issue. I have reported the issue a month ago and there is no outcome of it except for waiting

🫡 yessir

[Dev123456689]

And when running flow Launcher as administrator is launches all the other applications/programs also with administrator permission without showing any UAC prompt, this is a very big security issue, please look into the matters. 😊

[jjw24]

Hi there, unfortunately this is the Windows behaviour- launching any app as admin and subsequent processes launched by it will also have the same admin privileges. This afaik not something that can be changed.

[jjw24]

Since there is already the solution for running as administrator on startup, we won't be building this functionality into flow.

I know this unfortunately doesn't appropriately address the actual issue with WinHotkey plugin, but I can't think of anything atm. I will keep this issue open for a bit in case something comes to mind.

[Dev123456689]

This issue is not stable just they are not listening to me. Powertoys and many other software with admin privileges can open other software without admin privileges why is a Windows OS restrictions only for flow launcher.

[jjw24]

Hi there, PowerToys Run is actually not allowed to run as admin, therefore while most of the other PowerToys modules are running as admin, Run and its subsequent executed programs and processes are still running as non-elevated.

It's a convoluted process to develop the means to run as non-elevated process from an elevated one, at this stage I don't think the effort is justifiable.

[github-actions]

This issue is stale because it has been open 60 days with no activity. Remove stale label or comment or this will be closed in 60 days.\n\nAlternatively this issue can be kept open by adding one of the following labels:\nkeep-fresh

[github-actions]

This issue was closed because it has been stale for 7 days with no activity. If you feel this issue still needs attention please feel free to reopen.

[damsdev1]

Hi there, PowerToys Run is actually not allowed to run as admin, therefore while most of the other PowerToys modules are running as admin, Run and its subsequent executed programs and processes are still running as non-elevated.

It's a convoluted process to develop the means to run as non-elevated process from an elevated one, at this stage I don't think the effort is justifiable.

You can do it effortlessly with CreateProcessWithTokenW with getting token from explorer.exe.
Here are some ressources about it: https://github.com/jay/RunAsDesktopUser
https://learn.microsoft.com/fr-fr/archive/blogs/aaron_margosis/faq-how-do-i-start-a-program-as-the-desktop-user-from-an-elevated-app
You can also do it without any effort by using Process.Start("explorer.exe", "C:\\Path\\To\\YourProgram.exe"); because explorer.exe always run as normal user.

I'll do a PR if you're too busy to do it, but it might be worth implementing if you also implement the Win keyboard shortcut (from the dev build) because pressing Win on a program with administrator rights won't prevent the real start menu from opening if FlowLauncher isn't also administrator.

[Jack251970]

@damsdev1 We’re currently working on Win keyboard shortcuts this pull request (PR): Flow-Launcher/Flow.Launcher#3157. We’d greatly appreciate your feedback or contributions if you’re able to assist. Thank you!

[jjw24]

@Jack251970 wrong PR link?

[Jack251970]

@jjw24 He referenced the implementation of the Win keyboard shortcut, so I attached the PR for Win keyboard shortcut here.

Additionally, he mentioned that administrator rights might be worth considering for the implementation of the Win keyboard shortcut. I’m curious if this could be helpful, especially since you’re the author of this PR.