UAC (Win7) prevents on-screen keyboard from launching
UAC in a new Win 7 Dell 1220 vostro laptop seems to be preventing the on-screen keyboard from launching. This is a weird error, especially given that the OSK is a windows file / application and not third-party, and quite infuriating because I would prefer to have both available the security of UAC / IE protected mode and also being able to use the on-screen keyboard in case of undetected keyboard loggers. The situation is that the on-screen keyboard will simply not launch whichever way I try to access it, directly as running osk.exe file, or shortcut, or via the Ease of Access Centre. UAC does NOT prompt for permissions for this application though, simply does not allow it to run. This happens on all UAC settings, unless I turn it off completely. However it does seem to animate the icon for about a second and then stops and nothing more, and no evidence of osk.exe process running. My account is the only account on the laptop (new Dell Vostro 1220) and has admin rights. At one point I thought it might have been an issue with Kaspersky KIS 2010 settings, but now I run Comodo 4.0, and same issue occurs, and even if all security software turned off, so it seems to be a bug in OSK or UAC. I think it first started happening earlier this month after receiving a bunch of auto Windows update files, but I could not be sure if, and which of these. There is no way that I will re-install or trove through weeks of restore files to try and resolve this, but I am willing to try an troubleshoot or play with the registry if any one has any suggestions please? Is there anywhere to get hold of another osk.exe file in case this is somehow corrupt Interestingly as a seperate but perhaps related issue, I also noticed that when I right click on "computer" icon and then click on manage, nothing happens. Properties works as do the others, but not "manage". Weird, even with UAC disabled. I hope someone may have an answer. Thanks for your consideration. Cavehomme
May 1st, 2010 3:52pm

Hi, Please type “On Screen” in the Search box and right click On-Screen Keyboard, and then select “Run as administrator” option. Can the application be run successfully? If the issue persists, please restart the machine in Safe Mode and run the application for a test. Thanks, Novak
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May 6th, 2010 4:35am

the problem still exists after running osk.exe in administrator mode or in f8 safe mode.
July 28th, 2010 5:05am

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