On Windows, do I need to run Dashlane or my browser in Admin mode?

IMPORTANT: This information applies to Dashlane's desktop apps, which are no longer available.

Note: For the best Dashlane experience on a computer, you no longer need to install both an app and an extension. All you need is a web browser on your computer (Linux machines and Chromebooks included), and in just a few clicks you can check out our powerful web app!

Administrator privileges for your Windows session

Because of limitations set by the way Windows manages user sessions and administrator rights, Dashlane's VPN feature can only be used in an administrator session.

Because of the way Windows manages user sessions and administrator rights, we highly recommend that you avoid:

• Launching the Dashlane installer directly from a browser launched as administrator when you expect the app to be installed on your current user session
• Launching Dashlane or your browser as administrator when you are on a user session
• Doing any of the above, but "as another user" instead of "as an administrator", as this amounts to the same thing

As a rule, always have both Dashlane and your browser running as the same user as your current Windows session.

Administrator privileges for your browser and Dashlane (in either an admin or a user Windows session)

In order to work in your browsers, both Dashlane and your browsers must be run with the same administrator privileges.

Please note that if your browser is run as an administrator and Dashlane is run in normal mode, the Dashlane application will not be able to communicate with the Dashlane browser extension. In this case, the Dashlane icon in your browser toolbar will be orange.

For security reasons, we recommend that when you wish to use Dashlane on a user session (non-administrator) of Windows, you run both Dashlane and your browsers in normal mode and not as an administrator. This is because applications which are run as an administrator on Windows have full access to your system, which can be dangerous when using a browser.

Here is how to make sure that neither Dashlane nor your browsers are run as an administrator.

Check that Dashlane does not run as an administrator

Right-click on the Dashlane shortcuts (on your desktop or/and in your Windows Start menu) and select Properties.

Then click the Advanced… button on the Shortcut tab.

Make sure that the Run as administrator option is unchecked.

In the Dashlane Properties window, go to the Compatibility tab and make sure that all options are unchecked.

Go back to the Shortcut tab and click on Open File Location to open a new File Explorer window and show where Dashlane.exe is located.

Right-click on the Dashlane application file and select Properties.

Go to the Compatibility tab and make sure everything is unchecked.

You are now assured that neither Dashlane.exe, nor its shortcut, are run as administrator or with any undesired compatibility options.

In doubt, you can perform the verification for the DashlanePlugin.exe file as well.

Check that Firefox is not run as administrator

1. Right-click on the Firefox shortcut (on your desktop or/and in your Windows Start menu) and select Properties.
2. Then click the Advanced… button on the Shortcut tab.
3. Make sure the Run as administrator option is unchecked.
4. In the Firefox Properties window, go to the Compatibility tab and make sure that all options are unchecked.
5. Go back to the Shortcut tab and click on Open File Location to open a new File Explorer window and show where Firefox.exe is located.
6. Right-click on the Firefox application file and select Properties.
7. Go to the Compatibility tab and make sure everything is unchecked.

Check that Chrome is not run as administrator

1. Right-click on the Chrome shortcut (on your desktop or/and in your Windows Start menu) and select Properties.
2. Then click the Advanced… button on the Shortcut tab.
3. Make sure the Run as administrator option is unchecked.
4. In the Chrome Properties window, go to the Compatibility tab and make sure that all options are unchecked.
5. Go to the Shortcut tab and click on Open File Location to open a new File Explorer window and show where Chrome.exe is located.
6. Right-click on the Chrome application file and select Properties.
7. Go to the Compatibility tab and make sure everything is unchecked.