Because the changes implemented by Microsoft to the way that the most recent Windows operating systems deal with user privileges, elevation has become a mundane task for customers running Windows Vista or Windows 7. Whether it be an executable or a script, the source of system changes needs to be run with administrative privileges in order to function properly. Normally, the elevation task implies that the user right click a file and select Run as Administrator from the menu that pops up. However, there are simpler ways to do so, short of running with full administrative privileges, and one of them is the drag-and-drop Elevation Gadget.

Created by Michael Murgolo, senior consultant, Microsoft Services, U.S. East Region, the Elevation Gadget is now up to version 2.0, sporting various enhancements. “This Windows Sidebar Gadget functioned as drag and drop target to elevate programs, scripts, etc. Version 2 sports an updated look and can now be enlarged (enlarges when undocked on Windows Vista, enlarges via the Size control on Windows 7). However, the biggest change is the addition of a command box,” Murgolo explained.

Murgolo is offering Elevation Gadget 2.0 packaged as a ZIP archive. Users who think that they might find it useful can download Elevate.zip from its creator. The installation is rather simple, all that customers need do is rename the file they download as Elevate.gadget, and simply double click on the file to execute it.

“You can type directly into the command box. You can also drag a file to the command box and the path to the file will appear there. To execute the command, press Enter or click on the Elevation Arrow graphic. The command box has a 100 line history buffer. You can cycle through the items in the history using the Up and Down Arrow keys. To clear the command box, hit the Escape key,” Murgolo added.

Elevation Gadget 2.0 is available for download here.