How do I run a batch file on a local network as Administrator? (Vista)

Question

I have a couple of batch files which must be run as Administrator. I can do so if they are on my machine, but when I put them on the network and then try to run them as Administrator, the command prompt simply shows no output and finishes, apparently without executing any of the code. When I run the network batch files normally, I at least get a bunch of error messages telling me that access is denied.

Any ideas how to fix this behavior?

I am executing these batch files via shortcut, and the shortcuts do not use UNC paths. I have also configured the shortcut to run as Administrator.

Solution 1

Network drive mappings exist per-user session, so when your shortcut runs within the security context of administrator, no drive mappings exist.

Try calling the batch script in your shortcut via UNC, rather than referencing a drive letter.

Solution 2

Cooper on serverfault answered my question:

Network drive mappings are saved per-session, so when your shortcut runs within the security context of administrator, no drive mappings exist (unless the administrator has a current session, via another runas, or via a current remote desktop session).

Try calling the batch script in your shortcut via UNC, rather than referencing a drive letter.

Solution 3

I'm guessing the drives are mapped? Shortcuts don't save credentials within themselves, that's not within their capabilities. If your network is on a domain, then you can make the shortcut use the runas /noprofile /user:Administrator {Shortcut} This will prompt you for your password everytime, but will insure that it runs as administrator.

The other option is to use psexec \{computer} -s -c {batch file} which will copy the batch file to the remote computer, and execute it as the system account. You have to have administrative privelages on the remote machine to use psexec, or you can specify a user/pass that does.

More information: runas: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490994.aspx psexec: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897553.aspx

Comments

[Jeff Miles]

If the shortcuts don't use UNC paths, how are they referencing the batch files?

[Dan Gradl]

I have the drives mapped.

[eatyourpeas]

Indeed, a UNC path is invalid as the current working directory for cmd. You may not rely on things in the working dir (as that will default to somewhere else) or need to map network drives.

[eatyourpeas]

I am executing these batch files via shortcut, and the shortcuts do not use UNC paths. I have also configured the shortcut to run as Administrator. I don't have the correct permissions to use the two "runas" commands you suggested. If I can't find a solution, I will contact my admin.

[Michael Clerx]

Is there a way of doing this is you only know a relative path?