Limitation for Setting Windows Execution Level for a Pure Java Installer

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Summary

Information on the limitations of elevating privileges for pure Java installers on Windows

Synopsis

This article discusses information on the limitations involved with elevating privileges when running pure Java installers on Windows.

Discussion

When building a pure Java installer with the Other Java Enabled Platforms build target, a .jar file will be created. If a pure Java installer requires Administrator privileges to run, the .jar file will need to be executed through an administrative command prompt. Launching the .jar file through a standard command prompt or by double-clicking the .jar file will fail to elevate privileges.

In order to have a process set to run as Administrator, the executable which launches the process must contain a manifest which specifies the execution level to require Administrator privileges. When launching a pure Java installer using the .jar file created by the Other Java Enabled Platforms build target, the executable which launches the process is java.exe. This executable is not manifested and thus will not run as Administrator.

When building a Windows build target vs the Other Java Enabled Platforms build target, a Windows launcher will be created which allows us to properly manifest the executable. This can be set in the InstallAnywhere IDE by setting the Windows Execution Level under Project > Platforms to "Administrator." When you launch this executable, you will see the User Account Control (UAC) prompt asking for permission to elevate privileges. Once permission is granted, that process elevates and then launches java.exe elevated as well.

If your installer needs to perform operations which require elevation and you need your installer to be user-friendly as well, we would recommend distributing the Windows launcher which can properly elevate, rather than the .jar file produced by the Other Java Enabled Platforms build target.

Additional Information

Explanation of Different Windows Execution Level Settings
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Case id: 00001065