A simple way to force an EXE to run as admin is to use the registry. You just add the path to the specific EXE here:
The Reg Key
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers]
“C:\\MyApp\\MyCoolApp.exe“=”~ RUNASADMIN”
This is essentially what’s happening
For each application there are three settings that can be applied. The compatibility mode, (Display) Settings and the Privilege Level. One or multiple values can be set (separated by a space).
Compatibility Modes
| Value | Description |
| WIN95 | Windows 95 |
| WIN98 | Windows 98 |
| WIN4SP5 | Windows NT 4.0 SP5 |
| WIN2000 | Windows 2000 |
| WINXPSP2 | Windows XP SP2 |
| WINXPSP3 | Windows XP SP3 |
| VISTARTM | Vista |
| VISTASP1 | Vista SP1 |
| VISTASP2 | Vista SP2 |
| WIN7RTM | Windows 7 |
| WINSRV03SP1 | Windows Server 2003 SP1 |
| WINSRV08SP1 | Windows Server 2008 SP1 |
Display Settings
| Value | Description |
| DISABLETHEMES | Disable Visual Themes |
| 640X480 | Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution |
| HIGHDPIAWARE | Disable display scaling on high DPI settings |
| 256COLOR | Run in 256 colors |
| DISABLEDWM | Disable Desktop Composition |
Privilege Level
| Value | Description |
| RUNASADMIN | Run program as an administrator |
If the settings are written into the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE part of the registry, the settings cannot be changed by a user that has no local administrative rights.
| Windows Server 2008 SP1 |