Q: When I run SyncBackSE/Pro Windows always prompts me with “A program needs your permission to continue”. Why?
Windows Vista introduced some very strict security features (maintained in later versions such as Windows 7 & Server 2008 R2), one of which is called User Account Control (UAC). UAC basically means that all programs are run, by default, with the least number of security privileges. For example, even if you are an Administrator when you run a program it runs at the lowest security level, meaning it cannot delete or change system files, for example. The purpose of this is to protect your system from malicious programs that may damage or exploit your system.
SyncBackSE/Pro requires Administrator (and other, e.g. backup operator) privileges for a number of features to work, e.g. copying open/locked files, creating or deleting schedules, etc. Therefore, when it is run it requests that it be run at the maximum security level for the current user. This means Windows Vista (etc) will prompt you every time it is run. The only time you are not prompted is when it is run from a schedule (this makes sense because you may not even be logged in when the scheduled task is run).
There are four ways to remove this prompt:
- The recommended way is to have SyncBackSE/Pro start with Windows (via Preferences -> Options main menu). As this is done via a schedule you will not be prompted.
- Switch off UAC in Windows. This is not advisable.
- Use a different manifest file for SyncBackSE/Pro. This is discussed below.
- Create a non-elevated copy SyncBackSE/Pro. This is discussed below.
Note that running at the lowest security level means you cannot copy open/locked files, for example. It also means any profiles that are stored in the same folder as SyncBackSE.exe cannot be used unless you have write permission to that folder (which is unlikely).
SyncBackPro (only): you may get errors if you try to use the ExtremeCopy setting (Copy/Delete settings page in Expert mode - Pro-only) - if so, simply de-select ExtremeCopy. Note that ExtremeCopy was removed in V6.0.8.0.
Using a different manifest
In the folder SyncBackSE is installed to there are two files (the same applies to Pro, but with different filenames):
- SyncBackSE.exe.manifest
- SyncBackSE.exe.manifest.nonadmin
The manifest file is used by Windows Vista (etc) to know what security level to run the program at. If you want SyncBackSE to run without prompting, i.e. at the lowest security level, perform the following tasks using Windows Explorer:
- Close SyncBackSE
- Rename SyncBackSE.exe.manifest to SyncBackSE.exe.manifest.admin
- Rename SyncBackSE.exe.manifest.nonadmin to SyncBackSE.exe.manifest
Creating a non-elevated copy
As an Administrator, open Windows Explorer and navigate In the folder SyncBackSE is installed to:
- Close SyncBackSE
- Copy SyncBackSE.exe to SyncBackSE2.exe
- Copy SyncBackSE.exe.manifest.nonadmin to SyncBackSE2.exe.manifest
Now when you run SyncBackSE2.exe it will run non-elevated and so not prompt. Also, anything scheduled using SyncBackSE2 will not be run elevated and also will not appear as scheduled in the elevated SyncBackSE.
Windows has blocked some startup programs
If you receive the message 'Windows has blocked some startup programs' when logging in then Vista (etc) has blocked the program from starting:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/930367
The following explains how to unblock it:
http://itsvista.com/2007/07/itsvista-tip-61-eliminate-blocked-startup-program-notifications/
Applies to
SyncBackSE, SyncBackPro, Windows Vista, Windows 2008 R2, Windows 7
