TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Several times.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Probably because of arcane security settings somewhere in the settings panel 😫

Joexx

you misunderstood my suggestion. I was not saying that link was the solution, I was trying to say you need to do your own research and that link was an example of thr type of info you could find. I did another search and here is another example of something I found from several years ago. I am not sure but it seems to be very similar to your issue, but from 2017 & with other apps. This would seem to support that it is a Windows issue or perhaps a Topaz config issue, but probably caused by a Windows update or bug.Could be the same windows bug from 2017, or a new one (they are "good" at that). Anyway, a I suggested, depending upon your Windows technical skills, you may find a quicker solution by doing your own research.
I have no experience with Topaz tech support, but I have interacted with several major software support companies in the past year, and have found that I am mostly dealing with help desk people or people that think they are technical, but actually have very weak skills. I would not assume that the people you are talking with at Topaz are very skilled. (my apologizes to Topaz if I am wrong- It is a very good product)
BTW, I have Topaz, the UserID I most often use has Admin rights, but I do not need to run Topaz as an admin to get it to work. This means that I cannot try to figure out your issue, or I would, sorry.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I always select "all users" when given the choice.

What I think is funny is when I want to do something, and it says I must be an administrator. Then it tells me to click "Continue." I guess if I can read the word "Administrator," I must be one.

Joexx

For many program/application installs you are required to be logged in as an Admin, but that would not have anything to do with how the application is running after a successful install. If Topaz allows you to install it if you are not an Admin (IDK, I was an admin when I installed my copy), then it should work ok.
The option to select "all users" also should not have any impact. All that "should" do is install the app on the desktop of every user. If it is just installed on the user you select, and log on with another uid/pw, then they will not be able to run it while logged in with that other UID and probably they will not even be able to see the app when logged in with the other UID.
Just a guess, but do you have a password on your Admin ID? when you are logged in as a non admin user and try to run any app that requires admin authority, you will get a screen that says you need to be an admin and asks for a password. But, if the admin UID has no password, you will probably see the "continue" screen that you describe. Essentially this is a warning that you are running something with elevated access rights and if you are not careful, you could do something that hurts your computer. If you confirm that this is the case, I would strongly suggest you add a password to your admin UID, even if you are the only one to use your computer. It is good/safe practice to log on with a standard user and not an Admin. This protects you from many ways you might corrupt the computer by accident. Most user applications do not require admin access to run. Hope this is helpful.

Canisdirus

How many versions of Topaz Photo are out there?

One.

How many versions and variables are there with Windows out there?

A mind boggling large number.

It's windows...not Topaz.

Because if it were Topaz...they would all be screwed up...since every version running is the same for everyone.

The variables are with Windows.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Joe,
To be honest, I am just an amateur when it comes to Windows. Eleven years ago, I retired from a career where I dealt with mainframe operating systems. Since then, I have been a user, not a supporter. This problem has been escalated at least one level by Topaz. As for troubleshooting this problem, I did determine that it is a permission problem. Since that is an area that is not well documented for the user of a Windows system, I must defer to those with more experience in the area.

Topaz is the only application that on my system that will not run as a normal user. It is my contention that applications should not require admin privileges to run. That is a basic tenet of data and system integrity and security. Running Topaz as admin will work; however, that is a circumvention, not a solution.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Since only one user is defined, anything I install is, by default, for all users.

If you did not have admin privileges, you probably would not be given the one click choice.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

The Topaz problem is that it should, like all of the other installed applications, not do anything that requires admin privileges. There are apparently many other people who have reported this problem, and who knows how many others have just decided to run as administrator without reporting it.

Joexx

yes, I agree with you. Only certain (usually system analysis) Apps should require Admin privileges. The Windows security architecture does have documentation to be found, but it is often confusing or incorrect. I often find things that do not work as described and have bugs. It is an architecture that would make Rube Goldberg proud. Way too (unnecessarily) complicated to be easily supported. Hopefully Topaz tech support will find a solution. I will be interested in your progress. Please post it if you have time. Good luck.

Canisdirus

I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Let's say Amazon music...it's just like Topaz...

I can open both programs up...no sweat.

I can open both up using admin priv...zero difference.


You are mixing the meanings together...

The amin problems run into are over programmers and IT guys...back doors...giving up control.

That's not happening here at all.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Can and should are not synonyms. Just because you can do something does not mean you should do it.

I have not mixed up any meanings. Anything that has admin privileges can, by accident or on purpose, compromise the security or integrity of the system. That is why user applications should never be allowed to run as admin. To allow that access is to open another avenue of exposure to the system for the crackers to exploit. A system where ordinary user apps are allowed admin privileges would never pass a rigorous security audit.

Canisdirus

Integrity of what system...
Again...all of the admin concerns are usually directed at programmers... IT security.

Not typical consumer software.

If you are having trouble...it's windows.
Everyone has the same Topaz files after all.

Joexx

You make a very important point regarding access authority. I will restate in another way in the hope it will be helpful to others reading this. If you always log in as a regular user and NOT an admin user, it will offer you another level of protection. If you are not logged in as an admin user, the system will restrict your access. This means that if you accidentally try to run some program ( or are hacked) it may stop the program from running . Not always, but sometimes. As was correctly stated, most user applications, such as Topaz or Photoshop do NOT need administrator access rights to run, so there should be no need to run them from a user id with Admin access.

I often log in with a user ID that has admin rights, because I often run programs that require elevated access rights. But the rest of my family ONLY logs in with standard user access because it results in more protection.

As for the comment that it is "Windows not Topaz". I think that is likely, but until Topaz figures it out, we will not know for sure. Yes, everyone is running with the same Topaz code, but is the issue because some users have a Windows configuration issue? or is it because Topaz code is incompatible with some Windows update or code that is not on every widows install ? ( windows is often different on different installs).

I do have one easy thing (I just thought of) for TheShoe to try. Often, a user profile can get corrupted and some things do not work properly. To test this, create a new user on your computer. log on with that user and see if you have the same issue.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Not the programmer, the user. Suppose someone has just installed a new release of some package that. unknown to the user, some cracker has corrupted the files on the server whence they were downloaded. That is one example of the threat, there a re others. Please explain how that is a Windows threat.