You're helping someone remotely, you start an installer, and Windows shows a User Account Control (UAC) prompt asking "Do you want to allow this app to make changes?". On the PC it's right there, but from the remote side you can't see it or click it. Here is why, and how ScreenSharePRO handles it.
Why can't a remote session see the UAC prompt?
Windows shows UAC prompts on a separate, protected screen called the secure desktop. Ordinary apps, including most screen-sharing tools, can't see it or send keyboard and mouse input to it. The same protection applies to windows running as administrator.
How does ScreenSharePRO show it?
ScreenSharePRO includes a background service that runs as a Windows system service. It starts a helper in the signed-in user's session that follows Windows onto the secure desktop, so the viewer keeps seeing the screen when a UAC prompt opens, and can use the keyboard and mouse on the prompt and on windows running as administrator. While a prompt is open, the host's window shows A Windows security prompt is open on this computer. Read more about UAC and secure-desktop control.
1. Add the background service
The service is installed when ScreenSharePRO is installed for everyone on the PC. Either:
- Run the direct installer from the downloads page and choose Everyone on this PC. Windows asks for administrator permission once.
- Or, if ScreenSharePRO is already installed for Only me, select Enable full control: in Settings under Unattended Access, or from the shield next to the version number. It installs the service with one administrator approval, and your ID and settings stay the same.
You don't have to remember this in advance: when a UAC prompt opens while someone is connected and the service is missing, ScreenSharePRO tells the person at the PC and offers Enable full control right there. See the downloads page for the install options.
2. Make sure the service is running
On the host, open Settings, go to Troubleshooting and select Check components. It checks the background service and its helper and starts them if they are stopped, after asking for administrator approval. If the service stops while someone is hosting, Windows shows a Limited remote control notification on the host that points to the same button.
3. Connect and answer the prompt
Connect as usual. To click Yes on the prompt, the viewer needs keyboard and mouse access, which the host controls with Let viewers use the keyboard and Let viewers use the mouse. Answering a UAC prompt still needs the right Windows account: if the prompt asks for an administrator password, someone has to type one.
What are the limits?
- The host must run the ScreenSharePRO desktop app. A browser that shares its screen can't capture UAC prompts.
- Keyboard and mouse at the Windows sign-in screen are controlled separately, with Allow keyboard and mouse at the sign-in screen under While nobody is signed in.
- To reach the PC when nobody is at it, also set up unattended access.