Files is running as administrator - Due to platform limitations, drag and drop isn't available when running Files as administrator.

[MATTPASSIONFORTECH]

Description

"I keep getting an error message whenever I try to open Files on my computer. This is preventing me from being able to drag and drop files, and it's becoming quite frustrating. Does anyone know of a workaround or a way to fix this bug? I want to find a solution to fix this issue. Keep in mind that using the Microsoft Store version of Files. Update: The same issues occur with Files Stable (Classic installer).

Steps To Reproduce

How do I fix this?

Requirements

• e.g. Fix crash that occurs when...

Files Version

3.1.1.0

Windows Version

23H2 22631.3078

Log File

Files.bug.mp4

[Josh65-2201]

Thanks for the report. Make sure UAC (User Account Control) is not set to never notify.

[yaira2]

Thank you for your feedback, this is a limitation in WinAppSdk where drag & drop causes a crash when the app is running as admin. You can work around this limitation by re-enabling UAC on your device.

[ThisIsDelicious]

Thank you for your feedback, this is a limitation in WinAppSdk where drag & drop causes a crash when the app is running as admin. You can work around this limitation by re-enabling UAC on your device.

There has to be a better way to prevent Files from running as Administrator. Enabling UAC is quite extreme. I'm still looking for a solution.

[Josh65-2201]

There isn't, With UAC off Windows will open everything as admin, same as if you right clicked > run as admin

[ThisIsDelicious]

There isn't, With UAC off Windows will open everything as admin, same as if you right clicked > run as admin

That's unfortunate. Thanks for the info, I wasn't aware.

[yaira2]

Microsoft recently announced they are working on a fix for drag and dropping tabs. This is certainly a step in the right direction, and it gives us hope that it will be fixed for other drag & drop scenarios as well.

[Iomegan]

Months have passed, but looks like the bug still persists. :(

[0x5bfa]

FWIW, when your user account is part of Administrators group (it's by default from OOBE) and UAC is completely disabled, a certain Windows drag and drop handler still misunderstands that the app is running as privileged process token.

We already worked on the preparation to be able to enjoy that fix/update Microsoft made but there's an increase crash in that version and we're waiting for further updates. I think it's almost there.

[gigend]

my windows is always as admin, any suggestion without enabling the UAC?

[Josh65-2201]

There isn't right now #14498 (comment)

[minh-tonny]

I’m also encountering the same error as the original poster. Can someone guide me on how to fix it? I’ve customized the UAC as shown in the image (attached). Thank you!

[0x5bfa]

How did you create the current user? Is it from the installation?

[minh-tonny]

Yes, I ghosted it from a Windows image, so it's already available.

[0x5bfa]

That is weird, I was wondering if you enabled Built-in Administrator, which is not a standard admin user but a super user, but apparently you didn't have it enabled and use it.

However, we check whether Files running as admin in the very appropriate way.

• What we use (via a wrapper in C# that uses the windows api)

  • Files/src/Files.App/Services/Windows/WindowsSecurityService.cs

    Line 14 in edeba89

    return principal.IsInRole(System.Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole.Administrator);

  • https://github.com/dotnet/runtime/blob/6d344b35ff02e416304d7d25a8afb51b25d56c38/src/libraries/System.Security.Principal.Windows/src/System/Security/Principal/WindowsPrincipal.cs#L124-L130
• How Microsoft Terminal does (via the windows API)
  • https://github.com/microsoft/terminal/blob/3760caed97fa9140a40777a8fbc1c95785e6d2ab/src/types/utils.cpp#L1006

---

Can you check:

• if it fixes after restarting?
• how Windows Terminal shows when you only launch it, does it have a shield icon at the left top?

[minh-tonny]

Thank you for your response. I have thoroughly investigated the Built-in Administrator account.

1. Status of the Built-in Administrator Account:
   • I confirmed the status using the net user Administrator command in Command Prompt, and it shows "Account active: Yes" and "Password required: Yes,"
   • I also checked the account properties in lusrmgr.msc, where the "Account is disabled" checkbox is not checked, confirming the account is enabled.
2. I tested Windows Terminal, and I noticed the following:

• When I launch Windows Terminal normally (left-click) in my standard admin account, it does not show a shield icon, which is expected as it runs without Administrator privileges.
• However, when I launch Windows Terminal with Administrator privileges (right-click > Run as Administrator), the shield icon still does not appear (it remains colorless or is not visible at all).

[Josh65-2201]

The terminal image shows that your are running it as admin and on the built in Admin account. This account isn't supported and shouldn't be used, you will have to make a new normal account and switch to that if you want to use drag and drop.

[yaira2]

@minh-tonny unfortunately due to limitations with WinAppSdk, drag & drop isn't supported on the built-in admin account. We're hopeful that this limitation will be removed in the future, but in the meantime, we suggest creating a new Windows account as a workaround.

[0x5bfa]

@minh-tonny Wait is that screenshot when you run it as admin?

[minh-tonny]

@0x5bfa Yes, it's true that I took a screenshot in admin mode.

[minh-tonny]

@yaira2 @Josh65-2201 Thank you very much

[minh-tonny]

@yaira2 @Josh65-2201 Can I create an account with administator rights, or is it just a standard account?

[Josh65-2201]

You can use an account that has admin access

[0x5bfa]

@minh-tonny

• Can you check Task Manager > Details > Add a column for Elevated > see if files.exe has No.
• Also check if you enter whoami /groups on command prompt and BUILTIN \Administrators says "Group used for deny only"?

#16897
I have tried the following steps to resolve the issue: running Files App without Administrator privileges, ..., but the problem persists.

it's pretty weird that that dialog pops up even if you didn't elevate Files.

[minh-tonny]

C

ould everyone please guide me on how to create a user account? When I go to Settings / Accounts / Other Users / Add Account, a dialog box titled 'Local User and Group (local)' appears.

[Josh65-2201]

Right click Users > New User > Enter name > OK > Close. If you want to add it to the admin group you can do that through the Other users page in Windows Settings