Polenta Elevate - PElevate

Description

PElevate is a Windows utility that elevates batch files to administrator privileges using UAC (User Account Control). It automatically checks if running as admin and requests elevation if needed. Perfect for batch scripts that require administrator rights.

Platform: Windows 10/11 (x64)
License: Freeware
Version: 1.0

Features

PElevate provides seamless UAC elevation for your batch files:

• Automatic Admin Detection
  Checks if the current process is running with administrator privileges using the same method as standard batch file elevation scripts.
• Auto-Detect Batch File
  When called with no arguments from a batch file, PElevate inspects the parent cmd.exe process and elevates the calling script automatically. Just add PElevate.exe at the top of your batch file. If detection fails (unusual launchers), use PElevate.exe "%~f0" instead.
• UAC Elevation
  Uses PowerShell to request UAC elevation, restarting the batch file with administrator privileges if needed. The original non-elevated cmd.exe is stopped automatically so the rest of the script does not keep running without admin.
• Seamless Integration
  Works exactly like traditional batch file elevation scripts, but as a standalone executable. No need to embed PowerShell commands in your batch files.
• Explicit File Support
  Can also elevate specific batch files by path, useful for calling from other scripts or applications.
• Error Handling
  Returns appropriate exit codes: 0 if already admin (batch continues), 1 if elevation was requested (original cmd stopped on self-elevation), 2 if elevation failed.
• Lightweight & Portable
  No installation required! Just a single executable that's ready to use in your batch files. Zero dependencies.
• Quick Links (-ws, --website / -don, --donate)
  Open the Polenta Connection website or donate page directly from the command line.

Usage

Examples

Simple usage in batch files (auto-detect):

Explicit usage (recommended if auto-detect fails):

Elevate a specific batch file:

How It Works

PElevate uses the same approach as traditional batch file elevation scripts:

1. Check Admin Status: Uses net session to check if running with administrator privileges.
2. If Already Admin: Exits with code 0, allowing the batch file to continue execution.
3. If Not Admin: Uses PowerShell's Start-Process with -Verb RunAs to request UAC elevation and restart the batch file as administrator. On self-elevation, the original non-elevated cmd.exe is terminated so the rest of the script does not run twice.
4. Elevated Restart: The batch file restarts with administrator privileges, PElevate detects it's already admin, and the batch file continues with full privileges.

Exit Codes

• 0: Already running as administrator (batch file continues)
• 1: Elevation requested (original non-elevated cmd stopped on self-elevation)
• 2: Elevation failed (error occurred)