I've notepad++ stuck in Administrator mode: stuck in Administrator
Debug info:
Notepad++ v7.9.1 (64-bit)
Build time : Nov 2 2020 - 01:07:46
Path : C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe
Admin mode : ON
Local Conf mode : OFF
OS Name : Windows 10 Enterprise (64-bit)
OS Version : 1809
OS Build : 17763.1518
Current ANSI codepage : 1252
Plugins : mimeTools.dll NppConverter.dll NppExport.dll
How it happened:
- installed notepad++
- launched it
- installed two plugins (xml tools and xml treeview) while connected to a VPN
- download filed due to VPN
- stopped the VPN and installed the plugins again
- closed and re-opened notepad++
- is now stuck in administrator mode (no UAC prompt)
What I tried:
- uninstalling and reinstalling;
- uninstalling, cleaning all regkeys(*) that I found for notepad++, reinstalling;
- uninstalling, installing different versions (different builds/bit);
- checked these keys for runas command:
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\notepad++.exe --> runas not present
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Applications\notepad++.ex --> runas not present
- everything in this thread;
- everything in this other thread.
Nothing worked.
(*) "Suspicious" regkeys:
- HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Compatability Assistant\Store
- HKU<my-user-sid>\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Compatability Assistant\Store
The clue: renaming the executable "notepad++.exe" to "_notepad++.exe" or "notepad++_test.exe" solves the problem entirely and can run it as a normal user.
I suspect that there is a list of "names" that Windows uses to just run something as an Administrator but can't find it anywhere.
Also renaming the installer and running it shows the UAC prompt, with the original name it starts as Administrator without prompting anything.
Any tips/hint?
Thank you in advance!
HKCU\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE
and%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\VirtualStore
?