Fix: Run Executable as Administrator on RAM Disk in Windows 11

In Windows 11 24H2 (including 2024 LTSC), User Account Control (UAC) fails to correctly handle .exe files on a RAM disk, resulting in an "Incorrect function" error when attempting to run them as an administrator.

This solution adds a "Run as Administrator (RAM Disk Fix)" option to the right-click context menu of .exe files located on the RAM disk. This option opens an elevated command prompt using PowerShell, which then runs the selected executable file with administrator privileges, bypassing the UAC issue.

How It Works

The process behind this fix is simple:

1. When right-clicking an executable file on the RAM disk and selecting "Run as Administrator (RAM Disk Fix)", a PowerShell command is triggered.
2. The PowerShell command launches an elevated command prompt (with administrator privileges).
3. The elevated command prompt then runs the selected executable file from the RAM disk, bypassing the UAC triggered by the original file, since UAC is only triggered for cmd.exe, not for the executable itself.

This method avoids the "Incorrect function" error without triggering UAC for the .exe file on the RAM disk.

How to Use

1. Download and Import the Registry File

   • Download Win11-RAMDisk-Admin-Fix.reg from the repository and double-click it to import the registry.

2. Optional: Switch to the Old Context Menu

   • To avoid holding the Shift key when right-clicking an .exe file, modify the registry by running the following command in Command Prompt:

     reg.exe add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve

   • To revert to the default context menu, use this command:

     reg.exe delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f

3. Restart Explorer

   • Restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager to apply the changes to the right-click context menu.

4. Using the "Run as Administrator (RAM Disk Fix)" Option

   • After importing the registry file and restarting Explorer, right-click on the .exe file located on the RAM disk.
   • If using the default context menu, hold down the Shift key while right-clicking the .exe and select "Run as Administrator (RAM Disk Fix)".
   • If using the old context menu, simply right-click the .exe file and select "Run as Administrator (RAM Disk Fix)".

   

Uninstall

To uninstall the fix and remove the registry changes, run the following command in an administrator command prompt:

reg.exe delete "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\RunAsAdminInRAMDisk" /f

Important Security Warning

This method bypasses UAC checks for the selected .exe file, instead triggering UAC for the trusted system process cmd.exe. As a result, no warnings about revoked certificates (red UAC) or no certificates (yellow UAC) will appear for the executable. This behavior can be exploited by malware, allowing it to run without triggering the usual UAC warnings.

Use this method only for trusted .exe files, as it mitigates important security checks.

Other

This fix has been verified to work well with ImDisk Toolkit (open source RAM Disk software) on Windows 11 24H2. It should also work with other RAM Disk software, but has not been tested.

Disclosure: this document was modified by ChatGPT to make it easier to read.

Alternative Method: Running Executables as Administrator via cmd.exe Shortcut

Run the Executable as Administrator by Dragging the .exe onto a cmd.exe Shortcut

1. Create a cmd.exe Shortcut:

   • Shift-right-click on the desktop to open the context menu.
   • Select New -> Shortcut.
   • Enter the following content:

     %windir%\System32\cmd.exe /k start ""
     

   • Follow the prompts to create the shortcut.

2. Configure the Shortcut to Run as Administrator:

   • Shift-right-click on the newly created cmd.exe shortcut.
   • Select Properties.
   • Click on the Shortcut tab.
   • Click Advanced.
   • Check the box for Run as administrator.
   • Click OK to apply the changes.

3. Using the Shortcut:

   • Drag any .exe file onto the cmd.exe shortcut.
   • The executable will run with administrator privileges without causing the "Incorrect function" error, even on a RAM disk.

License

This project is available under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) License, allowing anyone to use, modify, and distribute the work without restrictions.