PowerToys Run: Shortcut Not Working As Admin

[mpearon]

Environment

Windows build number: Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.18363.836]
PowerToys version: v0.18.2
PowerToy module for which you are reporting the bug (if applicable): PowerToys Run

Steps to reproduce

Run PowerToys as Admin
Attempt to launch PT Run via Alt+Space shortcut

Expected behavior

PowerToys Run should trigger, displaying UI

Actual behavior

PowerToys Run does not trigger

Screenshots

[thecloudtaylor]

+1 (taylorb)

[Quantum-Prophet]

I have the same issue. Power Toys Run will not trigger if running as Admin. I also tried to use different key combinations, but this did not work. Power Toys Run will trigger normally if not running as Admin.
Windows 10 Pro
Version 1909
OS build 18363.836
Power Toys version 0.18.2

[jyuwono]

@mpearon did you use v0.18.1 previously and did it work in v0.18.1?

[crutkas]

@mpearon / @taylorb-microsoft / @Quantum-Prophet Do you have UAC disabled?

[thecloudtaylor]

No, though the latest update (0.18.02) seemed to fix the problem

[mpearon]

@jyuwono - I used v0.18.1, but did not test this feature.
@crutkas - UAC is enabled in my case (corporate asset, enforced by GP). Is this a requirement? I don't see any mention of it on the repo (or I'm overlooking it).

I have not had @taylorb-microsoft's experience. Mine is still non-functional on v0.18.2

[androidSwDev099]

I am able to run PT Run from a command prompt (need the quotes):
"C:\Program Files\PowerToys\modules\launcher\PowerLauncher.exe"

Maybe worth a try for people who can't run it using keyboard shortcut just to see what happens.

[crutkas]

18.2 should have fixed the underlying issue for if PT was running as admin, launcher doesn't work correctly.

@mpearon Trying to reduce what the commonalities are here. Is the app running? Can you check task manager?

@androidSwDev099 the app should be running already in the background. it it isn't, then something crashed it and would love to see the event logs

[crutkas]

to confirm @mpearon, you're saying it works as non-admin but doesn't when PT is run as Admin, correct with 0.18.2?

[mpearon]

@crutkas - Good call. It looks like PowerLauncher is not running at all (or is crashing - will investigate), when running as Admin.
To answer the second question (duplicating the above) - Correct. PowerLauncher is running the background when PT is launched as user, but it is not running when PT is launched as an Admin.

[mpearon]

Something to add - I can launch the PowerLauncher executable as an admin independently of PT by using the method that @androidSwDev099 calls out.

[crutkas]

Anything in your event logs?

[androidSwDev099]

@androidSwDev099 the app should be running already in the background. it it isn't, then something crashed it and would love to see the event logs

My PT Run works fine. I'm just here helping.

[mpearon]

@crutkas - Nothing that stood out when I looked earlier. I'll dig a bit deeper when I'm back in the office tomorrow, and play on my personal machine tonight to eliminate environmental issues.

[androidSwDev099]

I am able to run PT Run from a command prompt (need the quotes):
"C:\Program Files\PowerToys\modules\launcher\PowerLauncher.exe"

Maybe worth a try for people who can't run it using keyboard shortcut just to see what happens.

Additional information:
If PowerLauncher.exe is running either because PowerToys app started it or you did from the command prompt, then doing the above command again works the same as doing the PT Run shortcut key combination and brings up the PT Run dialog.

[Quantum-Prophet]

Still does not work for me on 18.2 running as admin.  Works fine if not running Admin.  Same behavior on 18.1. On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 5:44:02 PM CDT, androidSwDev099 <notifications@github.com> wrote: I am able to run PT Run from a command prompt (need the quotes): "C:\Program Files\PowerToys\modules\launcher\PowerLauncher.exe" Maybe worth a try for people who can't run it using keyboard shortcut just to see what happens. Additional information: If PowerLauncher.exe is running either because PowerToys app started it or you did from the command prompt, then doing the above command again works the same as doing the PT Run shortcut key combination that brings up the PT Run dialog. — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.

[mpearon]

@crutkas - I checked my personal machine and it is behaving the same way:

• Nothing in the obvious event log sources to give me any hints
• Using the Alt+Space shortcut will not trigger PTRun
• PTRun can be launched (and is functional) by calling PowerLauncher.exe directly

[androidSwDev099]

Can you post a screenshot of PT Run settings? Did you try changing the shortcut to say Ctrl-Space or Ctrl-Alt-Space?

[mpearon]

@androidSwDev099 - Sure, I'll attach a screenshot to this response. I had not tried switching the shortcut previously, but I just did (evidenced in screenshot) to no avail.

[androidSwDev099]

After you change the shortcut, be sure to click outside of the shortcut box and confirm that the shortcut is set to what you expect.

[mpearon]

@androidSwDev099 - I have confirmed. I went as far as to restart the application. The shortcut change procedure is functional in the user scope, but not the admin scope.

[mpearon]

Sorry - got a little click-happy and accidentally closed the issue. Should be re-opened now.

[androidSwDev099]

So the issue is that when you run PowerToys as administrator and look in the task manager, PowerLauncher.exe is not running as it should, correct?

[mpearon]

@androidSwDev099 - That is correct.

[androidSwDev099]

Do you get any errors if you run following from an administrator command prompt? :
"C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.exe"

This works for me and my shortcut Ctrl-Space launches PT Run as admin or not. Maybe you'll see an error in command prompt window when running as admin.

Also, why do you want to run it as admin? I'm trying to understand/learn :) .

Started from admin command prompt

[crutkas]

@enricogior, with 0.18.2, we directly made it so you can't run PT Run as an admin but it should de-elevate PT Run. Correct?

If so, looks like we may have an edge case bug then for it not properly launching. If @taylorb-microsoft is this same issue, I may be able to buy him a coffee to aid in getting some debugging time.

[enricogior]

@crutkas
if you start PT Run from Windows Explorer, you can run it as administrator.
When it's started from the runner, it will run with the same elevation of Windows Explorer.

[crutkas]

This should be fixed by #6060