it is not possible to run PowerToys as admin, or maybe it is possible, but a notification still requires admin rights

[aisbergde]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.55.2

Running as admin

• [ ] Yes

Area(s) with issue?

General

Steps to reproduce

I try different ways to run PowerToys as Administrator (using the context menu, and run as administrator; running a command prompt as administrator and execute the PowerToys there). I am asked, if I wan't to run PowerToys as Administrator, I confirm. But inside PowerToys I get everywhere the notification that I need run it as Administrator.

Especially I need to disable the conference muting, because after upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 it interferes with default Windows keys. The main issue is: If I press the PowerToy, then sometimes it workes and mutes microphone and / or camera. But next time the windows default key works and I can't enable microphone again. I need to restart the PC. Thats why I need a way to disable the conference muting. Thats why I need to run in admin mode.

✔️ Expected Behavior

when running as admin I should be able to use the features, which require admin mode

❌ Actual Behavior

I always get the notification, that I should run PowerToys in admin mode, when I want to change some options.

Other Software

Windows 11

[aisbergde]

inside PowerToys on the general page I can press the "restart with AdminRights" and this works. I am even not requested to confirm any rights. This is confusing. Why first I need to start PowerToys as Admin and then inside PowerToys I should do some extra steps to really be in admin mode? This is not intuitive.

[stefansjfw]

Hi @aisbergde could you describe step-by-step all of the ways you tried to run as admin:

• using the context menu
• and run as administrator
• running a command prompt as administrator and execute the PowerToys there

e.g. opening StartMenu, search for PowerToys, and click Run as administrator works fine for me :

?

I can enable/disable VCM:

[stefansjfw]

also, could you post /bugreport ?

Thanks

[ghost]

Hi there!

We need a bit more information to really debug this issue. Can you add a "Report Bug" zip file here? You right click on our system tray icon and just go to report bug. Then drag the zipfile from your desktop onto the GitHub comment box in this issue. Thanks!

[aisbergde]

in the next step I am asked to grant the rights (but I can't do a screenshot) Then I get this Then inside PowerToys I do this Then I am asked again to grant admin access Now this is disabled, because finally I am in administrator mode I can press the "Report bug", but i don't know, if something happens and where the bug file is created. There is no message or information about the place, where a bug report file could be located.

[aisbergde]

I found them on the desktop PowerToysReport_2022-02-17-19-08-59.zip PowerToysReport_2022-02-17-19-07-54.zip

[stefansjfw]

@aisbergde I can reproduce what you described only if PowerToys is already running when I go to start menu -> run as administrator. Are you sure that PowerToys was NOT running when you were trying this ?

[aisbergde]

You are right. In the settings I enabled the option to run PowerToys when windows starts. Otherwise how to use it?

[aisbergde]

maybe there could be some information, that powertoys is already running in this case to not confuse the user, which forgot, that PowerToys was started in the background?

[stefansjfw]

Easiest way to do it is to check System tray:

If PowerToys is running, icon will be there