executing a program that doesnt want to start

Windows 10 has removed the Windows Experience Index (WEI) interface that rates your computer, but the functionality is still there. Its a small console program in the system folder called WinSAT.exe that does the work.

I can easily start a cmd prompt or powershell and run the program with the arg 'formal' as in "winsat formal" and it does what it is supposed to do. So i thought to myself, self, write a small app to do this automatically, and capture the output.

Yea.... Windows apparently doesnt want me to run this program from another app. I have tried about a dozen different ways to start this program and most fail with not even being able to find the file.

The main condition being that I want to start the program without messing with WinSAT.exe permissions or attributes. I also would like to capture the output so i need the process handle in return (CreateProcess() is ideal).
My thinking is, if i can invoke the program as a administrative user, i should be able to run it from my VB app with proper elevation.

But alas, success alludes me... I want to challenge the good people of this forum to execute this app.

Some things I have tried:

1) manifest file with requestedExecutionLevel level="highestAvailable" and "asInvoker"

2) run my app compiled and as admin

3) command line prompts with powershell and Command Prompt

-powershell Start-Process -FilePath $env:comspec -ArgumentList winsat formal -Verb RunAs -WindowStyle Hidden
-powershell Start-Process -FilePath cmd -ArgumentList winsat formal -Verb RunAs -WindowStyle Hidden
-powershell Start-Process -FilePath powershell -ArgumentList winsat formal -Verb RunAs -WindowStyle Hidden
-runas winsat formal
-cmd /c winsat formal [runAs]

4) elevated vbscript (i can run it fine, vb no)

5) elevated powershell script

6) CreateProcess, ShellExecute, Shell


Can anyone get this thing to run from vb6?