FIXED – Requested Operation Requires Elevation Error on Windows 10/11

What is Requested Operation Requires Elevation Error?

The "Requested Operation Requires Elevation" error is a security feature in Windows operating systems that occurs when a user attempts to execute an action or command that needs administrative rights without having the necessary permissions. In essence, the operating system is telling you that you need elevated privileges to carry out the specific task you're trying to perform.

Windows operates on a system of user permissions to secure its environment. There are standard user accounts and administrator accounts, each with different levels of access to system settings and files. When a program or task needs to modify system files or settings that are typically off-limits to standard users, Windows requires that action to be "elevated" to an administrative level to proceed.

For example, if you try to install a new program, modify system files, or change network settings without administrator rights, you'll likely encounter this error message. The security measure is designed to prevent unauthorized changes to the system, which could compromise its stability or security.

Method 1: Check Your Antivirus Software

Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with programs and tasks, triggering the "Requested Operation Requires Elevation" error. Some security software has features like "Auto-Sandbox" or "Secure Browsing," which could potentially limit the ability of programs to make changes to the system.

Steps:

1. 1. Disable Antivirus Temporarily: Locate your antivirus software icon on the taskbar, right-click it, and see if there's an option to disable or pause the real-time protection. Usually, antivirus software allows you to disable it for a specified time.

2. 2. Run the Program: Try running the problematic program or command again to see if the issue is resolved.

3. 3. Check Antivirus Logs: If the problem persists, open your antivirus software and check the logs or quarantine section to see if it has blocked or flagged any elements related to the program or task you're trying to run.

4. 4. Add Exception: If your antivirus software is indeed causing the issue, you might need to add an exception for the specific program or process you're trying to execute. Look for a "Whitelist" or "Exceptions" option in your antivirus settings.

5. 5. Re-enable Antivirus: Don't forget to re-enable your antivirus software after you're done to keep your system protected.

Note: Temporarily disabling antivirus software will make your system vulnerable to threats. Make sure to re-enable it as soon as you're done and only perform this step if you're sure that the file or program you're trying to run is safe.

If checking your antivirus software resolves the "Requested Operation Requires Elevation" error, then the culprit has been identified. If not, you'll need to explore other methods.

Method 3: Turn-off UAC or User Account Control

User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature in Windows designed to prevent unauthorized changes to your system. While it's generally a good idea to leave UAC enabled for security reasons, disabling it temporarily could resolve the "Requested Operation Requires Elevation" error for specific tasks. Be cautious when using this method, as turning off UAC makes your system more vulnerable to threats.

Steps:

1. 1. Open Control Panel: Press Win + S to open the search bar and type in 'Control Panel', then click on it to open.

2. 2. Go to User Accounts: Navigate to 'User Accounts' and then again click on 'User Accounts' in the following window.

3. 3. Change User Account Control Settings: Look for an option that says 'Change User Account Control settings' and click on it.

4. 4. Adjust the Slider: You'll see a slider with various levels of notifications. Drag it down to the lowest setting, which should be labeled as 'Never notify'.

5. 5. Confirm and Restart: Click 'OK' to apply the settings. You may be prompted to confirm your decision, and you will likely need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

To Re-enable UAC:

After completing your tasks, it's advisable to re-enable UAC to protect your system.

1. 1. Follow Steps 1-3: Go back to 'User Account Control settings' through the Control Panel and 'User Accounts'.

2. 2. Adjust the Slider: Move the slider back up to its original position. The default is usually the second highest setting, labeled 'Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer'.

3. 3. Confirm and Restart: Click 'OK' and restart your computer to apply the changes.

Note: Disabling UAC will weaken the security of your system. Make sure to re-enable it once you've completed the task that required elevated permissions.

By turning off User Account Control temporarily, you might be able to bypass the "Requested Operation Requires Elevation" error. However, use this method sparingly and only when absolutely necessary due to the security risks involved.

Method 5: Create a New Administrator Account

If you've tried all the above methods and still encounter the "Requested Operation Requires Elevation" error, the issue might be related to user account corruption or misconfigured settings. Creating a new administrator account can sometimes resolve these kinds of issues, as it provides a fresh set of user files and settings.

Steps:

1. 1. Open Settings: Press Win + I to open the Settings app.

2. 2. Navigate to Accounts: Click on the 'Accounts' section.

3. 3. Access Family & Other Users: On the left-hand menu, click on 'Family & other users'.

4. 4. Add Someone Else: Click on 'Add someone else to this PC' under the 'Other users' section.

5. 5. Create Account: Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new Microsoft account or create a local account. When asked to assign a user type, make sure to select 'Administrator'.

6. 6. Complete the Setup: Complete any remaining steps, including setting up a password and security questions if prompted.

7. 7. Sign Out and Sign In: Sign out of your current account and log into the newly created administrator account.

8. 8. Test the Program: Try running the program or command that was generating the "Requested Operation Requires Elevation" error.

Confirm if the Issue is Resolved:

If the issue is resolved on the new administrator account, this could indicate that your previous user profile was corrupt or misconfigured in some way. You can either continue using the new administrator account or try to fix the old one, now that you've isolated the issue.

Note: If you choose to continue using the new administrator account, make sure to transfer all essential files and settings from the old account. Be cautious while performing these tasks, as you're working with administrative permissions that can change critical system settings.

Creating a new administrator account can be an effective last-resort measure to resolve stubborn issues like the "Requested Operation Requires Elevation" error. However, it's recommended to try the less drastic methods first, as creating a new account may require additional setup and data migration.

Method 7: Use the Group Policy Editor to Change the Security Options

The Group Policy Editor is a Windows feature that provides advanced settings control. It allows you to modify system settings that are not usually available through the standard user interface. Note that this method is generally more complex and should be used by users who have some level of expertise with Windows settings. Also, the Group Policy Editor is only available in the Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions of Windows.

Steps:

1. 1. Open the Run Dialog: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. 2. Launch Group Policy Editor: Type gpedit.msc and hit Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

3. 3. Navigate to Security Settings: On the left-hand side, go to Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options.

4. 4. Locate the Policy: Scroll down and find the policy that says 'User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode.'

5. 5. Edit the Policy: Double-click on this policy to open its properties dialog. Change the setting to 'Elevate without prompting'.

6. 6. Apply and Confirm: Click 'Apply', followed by 'OK' to confirm the changes.

7. 7. Restart Your Computer: For the changes to take effect, you may need to restart your computer.

Confirm if the Issue is Resolved:

After restarting, try running the problematic program or command again to see if the "Requested Operation Requires Elevation" error is resolved.

Note: Changing settings in the Group Policy Editor can have system-wide effects and could compromise the security of your computer. Only make this change if you understand the implications and are sure that it's necessary for your situation.

By using the Group Policy Editor, you have more control over the system settings, and you might be able to fix the "Requested Operation Requires Elevation" issue. However, this is a method that should only be used by those who are comfortable with advanced Windows settings, as making incorrect changes can have negative impacts on system stability and security.

How UAC (User Account Control) affects elevation in Windows 11?

User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature in Windows 11, as well as in previous versions like Windows 10, 8, and 7. The main aim of UAC is to prevent unauthorized changes to your computer. UAC achieves this by asking for permission or an administrator's credentials when a user or app tries to make a change that requires administrative rights.

1. 1. Prompting for Consent or Credentials: Whenever an application tries to perform a task requiring administrative privileges, UAC prompts the user to either grant or deny permission. This is known as 'elevation.'

2. 2. Admin Approval Mode: For standard users, trying to perform an administrative task will prompt them to enter an administrator's username and password. For administrator accounts, the UAC prompt might just ask for confirmation depending on the UAC settings.

3. 3. Secure Desktop: When UAC is triggered, it often darkens the rest of the desktop and focuses solely on the UAC prompt, isolating the prompt from other processes to enhance security.

4. 4. Application Elevation: Apps that require elevation are marked by a security shield icon, and they trigger the UAC prompt when launched.

5. 5. Running as Administrator: You can manually elevate an application by right-clicking its icon and choosing 'Run as administrator.' This will initiate UAC and require consent or credentials, depending on the user account type.

6. 6. Elevation in File Explorer: Certain system directories may not be accessible without elevation. Right-clicking and choosing 'Run as administrator' allows you to bypass this, again subject to a UAC prompt.

7. 7. Command Prompt and PowerShell: Many system commands will also require elevation to run successfully. Attempting to run such a command without elevation will result in an error message.

8. 8. Group Policy and Registry: UAC behavior can be customized using Local Group Policy Editor or the Windows Registry, allowing for less frequent prompting or automated elevation for specific tasks.

9. 9. Virtualization: For non-admin users, UAC uses a technique called 'file and registry virtualization,' where unauthorized write actions are redirected to a user-specific path rather than the protected system folder.

10. 10. Impact on Scripts and Automation: UAC can interrupt automated tasks or scripts that require elevation. This is something to consider when setting up automation on a Windows 11 system.

While UAC can be seen as an inconvenience at times, it plays a critical role in enhancing the security of the system by limiting application access to administrative privileges. In Windows 11, UAC continues to be an essential security feature that helps in preventing unauthorized system changes.