Selected Text & Capsule in Administrator Apps
Windows isolates apps that run at different permission levels. Because the Microsoft Store version of Float Translate runs with normal permissions, it may be unable to read selected text or show the Floating Capsule in an app that is running as administrator.
Compare the two Windows versions
Section titled “Compare the two Windows versions”| Capability | Microsoft Store version | Website version |
|---|---|---|
| Floating Capsule and selected-text translation in normally running apps | Supported | Supported |
| Manual input and clipboard translation | Supported | Supported |
| Selected-text translation and Floating Capsule in administrator apps | Not supported | Supported after you select Start with administrator permissions under Permissions |
| Installation and updates | Installed and updated by Microsoft Store | Installed from the Float Translate website; updates are delivered through the Float Translate release channel |
| Windows administrator confirmation | Not required | Windows asks when Start with administrator permissions is first selected or its authorization needs repair; later starts do not repeat the confirmation |
If you often need to select text in apps running as administrator, download the website version and select Start with administrator permissions under Permissions.
Keep using the Microsoft Store version
Section titled “Keep using the Microsoft Store version”Run the target app normally
Section titled “Run the target app normally”If the target app does not need administrator access:
- Close the target app.
- Open the properties of its shortcut or executable and, under Compatibility, turn off Run this program as an administrator if it is enabled.
- Open the app again from the Start menu or a normal terminal, not from an administrator terminal.
Do not remove administrator access from software that genuinely requires it to work safely or correctly.
Copy the text yourself
Section titled “Copy the text yourself”Copy the selected text inside the administrator app, then paste it into Float Translate. Manual input and clipboard translation remain available in the Microsoft Store version.
Use screenshot OCR
Section titled “Use screenshot OCR”When the text is visible but cannot be selected across the permission boundary, use Screenshot OCR to recognize it from the screen.
Why this happens
Section titled “Why this happens”Windows prevents a normally running app from freely reading or sending input to a higher-permission app. This boundary also affects common selection-capture techniques, so the capsule may not appear at all rather than appearing with an error.
An app may be running as administrator because you chose Run as administrator, enabled the compatibility setting, launched it from an administrator terminal, or opened it from another elevated app.
The Microsoft Store version always starts with standard permissions and does not offer Start with administrator permissions. The website version can use this startup option after you explicitly select it.
Frequently asked questions
Section titled “Frequently asked questions”Does the Microsoft Store version lose the Floating Capsule everywhere?
Section titled “Does the Microsoft Store version lose the Floating Capsule everywhere?”No. The capsule and selected-text translation remain available in normally running apps that expose readable selections. This limitation concerns apps running with higher permission.
Will the website version show a Windows confirmation every time it starts?
Section titled “Will the website version show a Windows confirmation every time it starts?”No. Windows asks when you first select Start with administrator permissions or when its authorization needs repair. Later starts use the saved authorization and do not repeat the confirmation.
Can I use the same Pro account in the website version?
Section titled “Can I use the same Pro account in the website version?”Yes. Both versions use the same Float Translate account and Pro entitlement. Their local settings, history, and other device data are stored separately and are not migrated automatically.