Programs Run ONLY As Administrator

[lamp2]

Hi, I have a HP Omen 15-ax202na running on Windows 10. Recently, I have had a problem where some programs did not run/open at all UNLESS I run as administrator. These were only small programs such as VPN, task manager etc, but they still worked when ran as admin. Yesterday, it has gotten worse and I tried to open chrome but didn't work so I uninstalled and tried to reinstall via .exe file. The installer opens for a few seconds then just disappears, this happens when I try to install anything else such as Dropbox. Now barely any programs run at all, even when ran as admin. Also another thing, I had an .exe which I know opens as a cmd window and was working perfectly before this, now when I try opening it, and error says "This app can't run on your pc". I have tried:

SFC /scannow (no errors returned)

Disabling/enabling firewall + antivirus

Adding a new user and giving it admin rights

Running certain programs in compatibility mode

Updating windows store (some forums say to try this)

I also checked to see the programs match the 64-bit operating system

Any help would be appreciated, thanks 🙂

[Riddle_Decipher]

@lamp2 This looks like an issue with the UAC settings and I suggest you perform the below steps to resolve this issue:

• Open User Account Control Settings by clicking the Start button and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type UAC, and then click Change User Account Control settings.
• To turn off UAC, move the slider to the Never notify position, and then click OK. 
• if you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
• You will need to restart your computer for UAC to be turned off.

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

Let me know how that pans out,

If you feel I was helpful, simply click on Accept as Solution to help the community grow,

That said, I will have someone follow-up on this to ensure you've been helped,

Just in case you don't get back to us within 24 - 48hrs, and have a good day, ahead.

[lamp2]

Thank you for your swift reply, I followed your steps and it worked out like magic I can finally run programs again! Thanks so much for also ensuring someone follows up, however I will use the "Accept as solution" button.

Thank you again and you have a good day too 😁

[asmita6658]

@lamp2

Happy to hear that. If you need further assistance feel free to reach out to us. 

Have a great day!

[lamp2]

Hi, sorry for digging this up again but the same problem has arisen. This time I found out it is a virus "Neshta.A" that is causing this. I did a fresh install of Windows 10, I have installed Malwarebytes and ran a scan, AVG Neshta Remover and ESET Online Scanner. Some other things were quarantined, however I still cannot run some programs/applications. One of the errors are: 

""Windows cannot access the specified device path or file you may not have appropriate permissions to access the item."

Thanks