Opening wt.exe can no longer open as administrator (both WT and WT Preview) #12543

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opened 2026-01-31 03:18:25 +00:00 by claunia · 4 comments
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Originally created by @AriKrumbein on GitHub (Feb 12, 2021).

Environment

Windows build number:  Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.21301.0 (aka 21301.1010 via WinVer)
Windows Terminal version (if applicable):
- WT Preview: 1.6.10412.0
- WT: 1.5.10411.0

Steps to reproduce

Scenario 1: directly Run as Administrator

  • Navigate to install directory in Explorer (in my case, C:\Users[USERNAME]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_8wekyb3d8bbwe
  • Right Click on wt.exe and click Run As Administrator

Scenario 2: Creating a shortcut to wt.exe

  • Create a shortcut to the path above.
  • Change the shortcut's properties to Run as Adminstrator

Expected behavior

Terminal shows a UAC prompt and launches elevated.

Actual behavior

A dialog box:
image
I can confirm the path is correct, and left click on the icon launches WT correctly.

Interestingly, clicking Run as Adminstrator when launching from Start does succeed.

Originally created by @AriKrumbein on GitHub (Feb 12, 2021). <!-- 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 I ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE PROCEEDING: 1. If I delete this entire template and go my own path, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 2. If I list multiple bugs/concerns in this one issue, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 3. If I write an issue that has many duplicates, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement (and without necessarily spending time to find the exact duplicate ID number). 4. If I leave the title incomplete when filing the issue, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 5. If I file something completely blank in the body, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. All good? Then proceed! --> <!-- This bug tracker is monitored by Windows Terminal development team and other technical folks. **Important: When reporting BSODs or security issues, DO NOT attach memory dumps, logs, or traces to Github issues**. Instead, send dumps/traces to secure@microsoft.com, referencing this GitHub issue. If this is an application crash, please also provide a Feedback Hub submission link so we can find your diagnostic data on the backend. Use the category "Apps > Windows Terminal (Preview)" and choose "Share My Feedback" after submission to get the link. Please use this form and describe your issue, concisely but precisely, with as much detail as possible. --> # Environment ```none Windows build number: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.21301.0 (aka 21301.1010 via WinVer) Windows Terminal version (if applicable): - WT Preview: 1.6.10412.0 - WT: 1.5.10411.0 ``` # Steps to reproduce ## Scenario 1: directly Run as Administrator - Navigate to install directory in Explorer (in my case, C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_8wekyb3d8bbwe - Right Click on wt.exe and click Run As Administrator ## Scenario 2: Creating a shortcut to wt.exe - Create a shortcut to the path above. - Change the shortcut's properties to Run as Adminstrator <!-- A description of how to trigger this bug. --> # Expected behavior Terminal shows a UAC prompt and launches elevated. <!-- A description of what you're expecting, possibly containing screenshots or reference material. --> # Actual behavior A dialog box: ![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/11276745/107811940-d1701a80-6d23-11eb-8f2d-b5a1eed66a5e.png) I can confirm the path is correct, and left click on the icon launches WT correctly. Interestingly, clicking Run as Adminstrator when launching from Start _does_ succeed. <!-- What's actually happening? -->
claunia added the Resolution-Duplicate label 2026-01-31 03:18:25 +00:00
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@DHowett commented on GitHub (Feb 12, 2021):

Was this working before either the WT or Windows update? You're using a dev build of Windows that has perhaps had some churn in app execution alias handling.

If you go to the "manage app execution aliases" page and disable/re-enable the wt.exe alias, is the issue resolved?

@DHowett commented on GitHub (Feb 12, 2021): Was this working before either the WT or Windows update? You're using a dev build of Windows that has perhaps had some churn in app execution alias handling. If you go to the "manage app execution aliases" page and disable/re-enable the wt.exe alias, is the issue resolved?
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@AriKrumbein commented on GitHub (Feb 12, 2021):

Yup! Resolved by turning on and off wt.exe alias.

Could be a dupe of #7188?

@AriKrumbein commented on GitHub (Feb 12, 2021): Yup! Resolved by turning on and off wt.exe alias. Could be a dupe of #7188?
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@zadjii-msft commented on GitHub (Feb 16, 2021):

Very well might be. The Store has been working in mysterious ways as of late:

All these are similar, but I don't think we've got a single root cause narrowed down.

/dup #7188

@zadjii-msft commented on GitHub (Feb 16, 2021): Very well might be. The Store has been working in mysterious ways as of late: * #9017 * #9159 * #7188 * #9062 All these are similar, but I don't think we've got a single root cause narrowed down. /dup #7188
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@ghost commented on GitHub (Feb 16, 2021):

Hi! We've identified this issue as a duplicate of another one that already exists on this Issue Tracker. This specific instance is being closed in favor of tracking the concern over on the referenced thread. Thanks for your report!

@ghost commented on GitHub (Feb 16, 2021): Hi! We've identified this issue as a duplicate of another one that already exists on this Issue Tracker. This specific instance is being closed in favor of tracking the concern over on the referenced thread. Thanks for your report!
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Reference: starred/terminal#12543