Request Windows Vista UAC elevation if path is protected?
.net, c#, elevated-privileges, uac, windows-vista
Solution
The best way to detect if they are unable to perform an action is to attempt it and catch the `UnauthorizedAccessException`.
However as @DannySmurf correctly points out you can only elevate a COM object or separate process.
There is a demonstration application within the Windows SDK Cross Technology Samples called UAC Demo. This demonstration application shows a method of executing actions with an elevated process. It also demonstrates how to find out if a user is currently an administrator.
Problem
For my C# app, I don't want to always prompt for elevation on application start, but if they choose an output path that is UAC protected then I need to request elevation. So, how do I check if a path is UAC protected and then how do I request elevation mid-execution?