Question

We have a suite of programs that check for new versions at startup, and then download new versions to run if required. This is obviously a problem in Windows 7, when it is locked down as a ‘standard user’, as they can’t write to the c:\program files directory and below. Anyone seen a example of an application that gets around with issue ?

Our applications are written in Delphi, but an example in any language would be useful.

Thanks in advance

Update:

We already have a system for determing whether a new version exists, the only problem is the download and install (if required), as this requires elevation. I can’t think of a way that doesn’t require an elevation prompt, or our users to reduce their security settings.

Update 2 :

I’ve asked a subsequent question, rather than adding a new one here

Answer 1

There are two options for application installation:

1. Application is available for all users: installation or update requires elevation for Windows Vista and up
2. The application is available for one user: install or update the application in the user profile in %LOCALAPPDATA%, no elevation is required

Ad 2: Google Chrome does this. It installs the .exe here:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe

–jeroen