UAC preventing MMC application from runnning

Question

_{Friday, September 13, 2019 7:16 AM}

Before yesterday, I was able to start the Hyper-V Manager without any problems. Now, it is several of us within the same domain that gets this error message whenever we try to click on anything that uses MMC.

The publisher shows as unknown which is strange since this is a Microsoft product. The Windows 10 is licensed with the version being 1803 Build 17134.885. This problem is effecting other versions of Windows 10 within the company. I have as with the other users having this problems are domain admins and also have local admin rights directly on our computers.

Now if I run command prompt without admin privileges, I get the same error as above with an entry in command prompt "Access is denied". However, if I open the command prompt with admin privileges, then the MMC or other applications that uses MMC such as virtmgmt.msc, will open with warnings or errors. If I go directly to the application location in the windows directory and try to open it there, then the error above comes, even by right clicking on the application and selecting "Run as Administrator".

If go to the UAC settings through the UI and set it to "Never notify", then error message still comes. The only way I can fully stop this error from appearing is by editing the registry (This error does not appear when opening the registry editor) at:

HKEY LOCAL MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/System

Under the REG_DWORD "EnableLUA, change the value from 1 to 0. This requires a computer reboot as the system realizes that the UAC is turned off. After rebooting the computer, the error message never again appears which is expected since the feature is fully turned off. But once the DWORD value is set back to 1 and the computer is rebooted, the error returns.  We checked the domain GPO and there is nothing there which could set the UAC to this denial settings. I still find it strange that the publisher for the MMC is showing as unknown. Is there anything I can try or any advice to try something out?

All replies (6)

_{Friday, September 13, 2019 1:41 PM}

Hello,

See if this fix helps you:

https://www.kapilarya.com/an-administrator-has-blocked-you-from-running-this-app-windows-10

Let me know if this helps!

Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP.   

Microsoft MVP (Windows and Devices for IT)

Windows Insider MVP

Windows Help & Support [www.kapilarya.com]

_{Monday, September 16, 2019 2:56 AM}

Please try to enable built-in Administrator.

Disable Windows SmartScreen

For GPO: User Account Control: Run All Administrators in Approval Mode, set it to Disabled, your machines are domain-joined, check this GPO on DC.

Regards

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_{Friday, September 20, 2019 8:27 AM}

Sorry for the late reply. I tried Kapil link out and it did not help. The only thing I can do is send an email out to the AD Admins for them to check the domain GPO. Once I get an answer I will reply.

_{Friday, September 27, 2019 12:48 AM}

Ok, look forward to your update

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_{Monday, September 30, 2019 2:04 PM}

Our GPO had nothing to block this. I decided then to update my Windows 10 to the most recent update, 1903 from 1803. That had solved the problem. Still unknown why this problem even started but at least with the update, the MMC functions work again.

_{Monday, October 7, 2019 8:31 AM}

Glad to hear this issue has been solved. Thanks for sharing. Hope your experience will help other community members facing similar problems.
It is always my pleasure to help you.

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