run as admin CMD window bad workdir and crazy small font

Hello, this is something strange and I think quite badly implemented. I almost don't want to spend my time to hack it to work somehow anymore :-]
I want a BAT file which mounts a truecrypt volume on a usb drive to be run as admin. Allright so I right click on it and do run as administrator, BUT it changes it's working directory to c:\windows\system32 so it cannot find the executable which it tries to call. So I thought OK I will create a shortcut for this on the desktop for example and set the workdir to e: (it is on that usb drive) which is already not very good practice because the drive's letter can be different next time thus it would not work, BUT in this case it still does not work, goes to c:\windows\system32 and also the font is set to the smallest possible so it is barely readable. Is there a way to set workdir for "as administrator" processes or some other obvious way to do this which I did not think about? Also I would really like to know how (the heck) do I change the font in this administrator cmd window permanently. I did runas cmd window and changed it there but it remains the same when starting this shortcut.

right click on the shorcut choose properties, and click the Compability tab. chooes the option "Run this program as Administrator"

You write your .bat file in Notepad. Then place it in the Startup folder in All Programs. As for mounting Truecrypt all of the time. Keep in mind that if something goes wrong. You will loose all of that encrypted data.

Really though in your case. You would need an Autoplay program to run after mounting the USB drive. There is plenty of info out there if you search for it. Technet.microsoft.com has a lot of good information.

Guys so I guess my problem is too complicated because nobody really understood it :-]
Ghafoer86 if you please just look at the picture - that is exactly what I did (just not at the compatibility menu because it is not there)
Broe23 why would I put my BAT file into startup? The USB drive is not connected all the time, so I mount it whenever I connect it. What do you mean by mounting all the time and losing data? What is the problem with it? I am doing it like this for some years already with this truecrypt container... How else would I get into it?
Autorun.inf does not work for me, maybe autorun is disabled for USB drives or I wrote it wrong but it does not run that file

[autorun]
open=c4ebcnl.bat

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BUT I found a solution which looks horrible and I would never found out by myself, but it works
pushd %~dp0 - this command changes the current dir and drive to where the BAT or CMD file is run from (I would really expect the shortcut properties to handle this, but it does not)
Windows batch file starting directory when 'run as admin' - Stack Overflow

You create the batch file to look to see if the USB drive is connected or not. It is a long forgotten art that most no longer know how to create these files.

Also if you have the OS set to not auto mount the removable media. Then it is pointless to even go through all of these troubles.

If you really want to do it correct. Look up how to create a PE disc.

As for changing the font in the Command Window. You just right click in the upper part of the window and choose to edit the properties. Also when you run Command Prompt as Admin. It will always default to System32.

Well that is interesting. You did not answer any of my questions but np Can you point me to some article about this usb drive detection in bat/cmd? I actually coded this thing already in AutoIt. About autorun - I have freshly installed Win 8.1 and I did not change any settings regarding this, but now I checked it and it is set to "open folder to view files" and there seems to be no choice which would use autorun.inf. I guess it is a wise security measure in Win8.
But again I don't understand you - how is bootable PE disc related to this?
The font settings was somehow set finally, so it is readable again even when run as admin...

You need to look this information up yourself. Only way you are going to learn how to do this stuff. Is to research it. That is how the rest of us old timers learned how to write these scripts and batch files. We did not have the Internet or forums to ask questions. We had to physically pick up a book to find out how to create these programs.

As for the font settings for the Command Prompt. I stated how you can change that for the Command Prompt.

LOL and I guess those old timers have a habit to never answer a question because these newbies are not worth it So thanks for your "help". For your information I also learned a lot from books, but nobody can read all the books and that is why we have forums and ways to share knowledge, got it?

Also I would really like to know how (the heck) do I change the font in this administrator cmd window permanently. I did runas cmd window and changed it there but it remains the same when starting this shortcut.

Click to expand...

Change it in the shortcut.

David do you work at IBM?

Yes, but just as a hobby.

They pay me in gummy bears.

No, seriously, did my suggestion help ?

You might be able to permanently assign a drive letter to your USB stick using Disk Management.

I have an external HDD that "always" uses the same drive letter (not the first available drive letter), if it is available.
It only uses a different letter, if I have plugged in multiple USB storage devices, prior to connecting that HDD.

Note:
I am using Windows 7, so it might not work in the W8 "collection".

It will work also with Windows 8.x.x lehnerus2000.

David, I do not know where the OP got the whole IBM thing from. IBM did not invent Windows, nor Dos. We could of course get into a nice discussion about that and how the whole Batch file thing came from DRDos, MP/M & CP/M.

Now to get back on subject. See the following for how to do what you are wanting to do. Launching a script when a specific USB device is connected - Support - AutoHotkey Community But the problem that you are going to run into is that since this volume is encrypted with Truecyrpt. You are going to run into some roadblocks.

Personally I would just create a C++ or C# app that you can just click on the app in Metro or the shortcut in the desktop to mount and ask for your password to allow access to the drive.

You never want to automount an encrypted drive without having some sort of fail safe to keep others from just accessing your computer and inserting the drive. Thus allowing the OS to automatically allow access to the files on it.

broe23 said:

David, I do not know where the OP got the whole IBM thing from. IBM did not invent Windows, nor Dos. We could of course get into a nice discussion about that and how the whole Batch file thing came from DRDos, MP/M & CP/M.

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I didn't know how to take the remark.

Was it a compliment or a jab ?

I wish the OP would post a clarification.

Historical note: Gates & associates bought DOS for $50,000 & leased it to IBM.IBM thought the $$$ was in hardware.They were wrong.

If you get a chance to watch it. Watch "Steve Jobs: The lost Interview". Also American Experience: Silicon Valley is a good one. That one is available at pbs.org. Now if you want a really good read. Read "What the Dormouse said." A lot of the younger generation does not realize how much of today's technology and software, along with forums like this. Is all due in part of those of us that have been around since the Home Brew Computer Club days.

The whole IBM money laundering scheme though is an interesting story in itself. Same with Xerox/Parc. In how much it has to do with what we have now. Along with how we interact with technology in itself.

Halt and Catch Fire, which is going to premiere on AMC 6/01. Is going to be interesting in seeing how they portray the PC revolution of the 80's.

David I just confused the dism command in your picture with something used in IBM, so I am sorry, don't worry about it :-]
Broe you continue to surprise me with inconsistency of your thought process You said there is a way to monitor USB drives using BAT file (which I really doubt) but now you write about Autohotkey solution I said I coded the same thing in AutoIt - it is quite similar to AutoHotkey. But thanks for this, it is useful. And don't hesitate to share your oldtimer experience and insight. This is always appreciated
Anyway my bat file does not mount the truecrypt volume without asking for anything - it displays a password prompt.

Yes there is a way to monitor the USB drives through a batch script. You though need to go out and do your own research on this. I have given you some free links. You just need to take the time to go out and read the information in them.

As for IBM and the Dism command. I see no connection between the two.

well thanks for your inspiration, but I guess I will leave this challenge to some bolder ones to go for As I said I have it coded in AutoIt already so I will rather go tackle some other funny computer issues which are taking my time recently - like synchronizing bookmarks over 4 different browsers and 4 different OSes using Xmarks I can tell you THAT is a challenge...