Elevated processes ignore their privileges

In Windows, elevated processes, such as those running with administrator privileges, can still encounter issues if they ignore their privileges. Here are a few possible explanations and suggestions:

1. User Account Control (UAC): When a process runs with elevated privileges, it is subject to User Account Control (UAC) restrictions. UAC is a security feature that helps protect the system by requiring user confirmation or prompting for credentials when performing certain actions. If an elevated process ignores UAC prompts or bypasses them, it may encounter limitations or restrictions.

   Solution: Ensure that your elevated process handles UAC prompts appropriately and follows the recommended practices for interacting with UAC. This helps ensure proper security and compatibility with the operating system.

2. Integrity Level: Windows uses integrity levels to enforce security boundaries between processes. Even if a process runs with elevated privileges, it may still be subject to integrity levels that restrict certain actions. For example, a process running with administrator privileges may still be restricted when interacting with processes or objects running at higher integrity levels.

   Solution: Make sure that your elevated process takes into account integrity levels and appropriately handles access and interaction with other processes or objects. Be aware of the integrity level restrictions and adjust your process behavior accordingly.

3. Application Compatibility: Some applications or system components may not function properly or may encounter limitations when running with elevated privileges. This can be due to design decisions, compatibility issues, or security restrictions.

   Solution: If you encounter issues with a specific application or system component while running with elevated privileges, consult the documentation or support resources for that application or component. They may provide specific guidance or solutions to address the issues.

It's important to note that properly handling elevated privileges and security boundaries is crucial for the stability, security, and compatibility of your system. Ignoring or bypassing these privileges can lead to unexpected behavior or security vulnerabilities. Always follow best practices and guidelines when working with elevated processes on Windows.