If Plover doesn't show any text output in some applications

If you're running Plover on a Windows PC and have other applications running as an administrator, also known as elevated permissions or administrative mode, steno output with Plover may not work while the elevated applications are in focus.

Plover is configured to run without elevated permissions. Running any application with elevation allows it to change files required by Windows. You should only run Plover as an administrator when it's necessary, and install plugins from sources you trust.

Plover is reported to have compatibility issues with certain software, such as VMware and Citrix Remote Desktop.

Plover does not run with elevation when launched from its installed shortcut—like many Windows applications, known as user mode.

If you're experiencing an unexpected error message with WinError 5, learn how to fix PermissionError: [WinError 5] Access is denied when launching Plover.

If other applications are running in administrative mode

Most applications do not require elevation, such as a web browser or word processor. However, some applications may be running as an administrator inadvertently. Check if you have any shortcuts launching the other applications as an administrator where you're unable to use Plover.

To check and stop shortcuts running an application in administrative mode, do the following:

1. Right-click on the application's shortcut, then choose Properties.
2. From the shortcut's Properties window, go to the Shortcut tab, then click Advanced.
3. Unselect "Run as administrator", then click OK.
4. Go to the Compatibility tab, then unselect "Run this program as an administrator."
   • If the selection is dimmed, click Change settings for all users, unselect "Run this program as an administrator", then click OK.
   • If your application requires a compatibility mode of at least Windows XP (Service Pack 3) or older to work correctly, then it will always run in administrative mode regardless of the previous selections.
5. To save your changes and close the shortcut's Properties window, click OK.

The application will run in user mode the next time it's launched.

If either Step 3 or Step 4 were selected, then the shortcut was launching an application in administrative mode. If Step 4 was selected, the application will always try to run in administrative mode regardless of the shortcut's settings in Step 3.

If you have an application that requires elevated permission or cannot run it in user mode and wish to use Plover within it, Plover must be run as an administrator.

If you need Plover to run in administrative mode

In situations where you need to use Plover within applications running in administrative mode, such as running commands in a Command Prompt window where elevation is required or under certain compatibility mode settings, Plover should be run as an administrator.

If you attempt to open a shortcut where Plover starts in user mode while Plover is already running in administrative mode, you will see an unexpected error message. This message can be dismissed and Plover should be opened from the taskbar tray icon.

To run Plover in administrative mode, do the following:

1. If Plover is running, make sure Plover is closed before continuing.
2. Right-click on Plover's shortcut, then choose Run as administrator.
3. If you see a User Account Control prompt, then Plover runs with elevated permission if consented to.

Plover will output text in applications running in both user mode or administrative mode.

If Plover still doesn't show any text output in an application

Plover may not work correctly with certain applications regardless of whether it is run as an administrator. Search the Plover GitHub issue tracker for additional information. If your application is not listed, report it by creating a new issue.