Windows Vista users are probably well aware that some select applications (Visual Studio for me) only work properly when they are opened with administrative rights. You can always open a shortcut with admin rights by right-clicking on it and selecting “Run as Administrator”, but if you want to have it always launched as admin, do this simple change:
- Right-click on the shortcut and select Properties.
- In the Shortcut tab, click the Advanced button.
- Check the box for “Run as Administrator”.
- Click Ok to apply your changes.
Now whenever you use the shortcut it will be launched as admin automatically. You will still receive the Vista UAC prompt if you have it on.
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As a side note, if you’re not working as an administrator, you will not be able to change this setting. The boxes to make that change appear grayed out when you’re logged in as a user with limited permissions.
Solution: Log in as an administrator (or switch users) and go to the properties of the executable. From there go to the Compatibility tab and click the “Show settings for all users” button (ignoring the Run this Program as Administrator button.) At the properties list that comes up, the Compatibility for All Users screen, set the “Run this program as an Administrator” checkbox.