diff --git a/gitpyup/Deploy-gitpyup.ps1 b/gitpyup/Deploy-gitpyup.ps1
index 11a6dfd..425c745 100644
--- a/gitpyup/Deploy-gitpyup.ps1
+++ b/gitpyup/Deploy-gitpyup.ps1
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ param(
 # variables
 $scriptVersion = "v1"
 $gpun = "gitpyup"
-$Env:GITPYUPUTILSNAME = "Utility-Functions.ps1"
 $installConfigFile = "installConfig.yaml"
 
 $defaultGitpyup = @{  # default gitpyup config
@@ -54,9 +53,9 @@ $shortcutScript = {
         [array]$toAdd
     )
 
-    . "./$Env:GITPYUPUTILSNAME"
+    . "./Utility-Functions.ps1"
     Start-Logging
-
+    
     # TODO: check if have permissions to remove, if needed get permissions, ideally from existing elevated process
     # remove old shortcuts
     foreach ($shortcut in $toRemove) {
@@ -170,7 +169,7 @@ function Reset-Path {
 
 # save the Start-Logging function to a file
 # define the path to the file
-$utilityFunctionsPath = Join-Path -Path (Get-Location).Path -ChildPath $Env:GITPYUPUTILSNAME
+$utilityFunctionsPath = Join-Path -Path (Get-Location).Path -ChildPath "Utility-Functions.ps1"
 # Write the function to the file
 Set-Content -Force -Path $utilityFunctionsPath -Value $utilityString
 
@@ -268,9 +267,9 @@ $installSupportSoftware = {
         }
     }
 
-    . "./$Env:GITPYUPUTILSNAME"
-    Start-Logging -PrintVersion
-    
+    . "./Utility-Functions.ps1"
+    Start-Logging
+
     function Install-ViaWinget {
         param(
             [string]$AppTestCommand,
@@ -738,7 +737,7 @@ $installConfig = @{
 $response = ConvertTo-Yaml $installConfig -OutFile $installConfigPath
 Write-Log "The config yml has been written to $installConfigPath"
 
-if (-not (Test-Path $Env:GITPYUPUTILSNAME)){
+if (-not (Test-Path "Utility-Functions.ps1")){
     Copy-Item $utilityFunctionsPath .
     Write-Log "The application yml has been copied to $gitpyupScriptDir"
 }
@@ -795,24 +794,44 @@ while(($confirm -ne "y") -and ($confirm -ne "n"))
     }
 }
 
+$pinfo = New-Object System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo
+$pinfo.FileName = "powershell"
+$pinfo.RedirectStandardError = $true
+$pinfo.RedirectStandardOutput = $false
+$pinfo.UseShellExecute = $false
+$pinfo.CreateNoWindow = $false  # doesn't seem to open a window but when false does output to console
+$pinfo.WorkingDirectory = (Get-Location).Path
+
 # create or update the python environment for each application
 foreach ($application in $appConfigs) {
     $name = $application.name
     # gitpyup is not a python application
-    if ($application.name -eq $gpun) {
+    if ($name -eq $gpun) {
         continue
     }
     $confirm = ""
-    while(($confirm -ne "y") -and ($confirm -ne "n"))
-    {
+    while(($confirm -ne "y") -and ($confirm -ne "n")) {
         $confirm = Read-Host -Prompt "Do you want to install or update $name ? (y/n)"
         if ($confirm -ceq "y") {
-            $proc = Start-Process -FilePath "powershell" -PassThru `
-                -ArgumentList "-Command & '.\Setup-Application.ps1' -AppConfig $application -InstallType $($install.type)"
-            $handle = $proc.Handle
-            $proc.WaitForExit();
-            if ($proc.ExitCode -ne 0) {
-                Write-Log "Python environment setup failed for $name, re-run $gpun-update shortcut to try again." -Level 'ERROR'
+            $pinfo.Arguments = "-Command & './Setup-Application.ps1' " + 
+                "-Name $name " +
+                "-Path $($application.path) "
+            # if $application contains environment_file key use it else use null
+            if ($application.ContainsKey("environment_file")) {
+                $pinfo.Arguments += "-EnvironmentFile $($application.environment_file) "
+            }
+            $pinfo.Arguments += "-InstallType $($install.type)"
+            $p = New-Object System.Diagnostics.Process
+            $p.StartInfo = $pinfo
+            $p.Start() | Out-Null
+            $p.WaitForExit()
+            if ($p.ExitCode -ne 0) {
+                Write-Log "Python environment setup failed for $name, Run $gpun-update shortcut to try again!" -Level 'ERROR'
+                Write-Log "exit code: $($p.ExitCode)"  -Level 'ERROR'
+                $stderr = $p.StandardError.ReadToEnd()
+                if ($stderr) {
+                    Write-Log "stderr: $stderr" -Level 'ERROR'
+                }
             } else {
                 Write-Log "Python environment setup complete for $name."
             }
diff --git a/gitpyup/Setup-Application.ps1 b/gitpyup/Setup-Application.ps1
index 51cfae6..790b31d 100644
--- a/gitpyup/Setup-Application.ps1
+++ b/gitpyup/Setup-Application.ps1
@@ -4,25 +4,27 @@ This script creates or updates the python applications configured in gitpyup.
 #> 
 
 param(
-    [hashtable]$AppConfig = @{},
+    [string]$Name = "",
+    [string]$Path = "",
+    [string]$EnvironmentFile = "",
     [string]$InstallType = "SingleUser",
     [string]$LocalConfigYaml = "gitpyup.yml"
 )
 
 # logging
-. "./$ENV:GITPYUPUTILSNAME"
+. "./Utility-Functions.ps1"
 Start-Logging
 
 Write-Log "Setup-Application v1"
 
-if ($AppConfig.ContainsKey("name")) {
-    $appName = $AppConfig["name"]
+if ($Name) {
+    $appName = $Name
 } else {
     $appName = Split-Path (Get-Location).Path -Parent
 }
 
-if ($AppConfig.ContainsKey("path")) {
-    $appPath = $AppConfig["path"]
+if ($Path) {
+    $appPath = $Path
 } else {
     $appPath = (Get-Location).Path
 }
@@ -30,10 +32,12 @@ if ($AppConfig.ContainsKey("path")) {
 # load repo config
 $configYmlPath = Join-Path $appPath $LocalConfigYaml
 if (Test-Path $configYmlPath) {
+    Write-Log "Using config file $configYmlPath"
     # config file found
     $repoConfigRaw = Get-Content -Path $configYmlPath -Raw
     $repoConfig = ConvertFrom-Yaml $repoConfigRaw
 } else {
+    Write-Log "No config file found in $appPath"
     $repoConfig = @{}
 }
 
@@ -49,7 +53,9 @@ $envFiles = @(
 )
 # auto-detect environment file
 foreach ($autoEnvFile in $envFiles) {
+    #LINUX #MACOS make case insensitive
     if (Test-Path (Join-Path $appPath $autoEnvFile)) {
+        Write-Log "Automatically found environment file $autoEnvFile"
         break
     }
 }
@@ -60,8 +66,8 @@ if ($repoConfig.ContainsKey("environment_file")) {
 }
 
 # app config has priority over repo config
-if ($AppConfig.ContainsKey("environment_file")) {
-    $envFile = $AppConfig["environment_file"]
+if ($EnvironmentFile) {
+    $envFile = $EnvironmentFile
 }
 
 # if environment file exists continue if not return error
@@ -71,61 +77,64 @@ if (Test-Path $envFilePath -PathType Leaf) {
     Write-Log "Using environment file $envFilePath"
 } elseif (Test-Path $autoEnvFilePath -PathType Leaf) {
     $envFilePath = $autoEnvFilePath
-    Write-Log "Automatically found environment file $envFilePath"
+    Write-Log "Using automatically found environment file $autoEnvFilePath"
 } else {
-    Write-Log "No environment file found in $appPath" -Level "ERROR"
-    Return 1
+    $message = "No environment file found in $appPath"
+    Write-Log "$message" -Level "ERROR"
+    Exit 1
 }
 
-# check for existing conda environment, create if not found
+# set environment file type and condaEnvName
+$envFile = Split-Path $envFilePath -Leaf
 $condaEnvName = $appName
-$condaEnvList = conda env list
-if ($condaEnvList | Select-String -Pattern $condaEnvName) {
-    Write-Log "Conda environment $condaEnvName already exists"
-} else {
-    Write-Log "Creating conda environment $condaEnvName"
-    $response = conda create -n $condaEnvName
-    Write-Log ($response | Out-String)
-}
 
 # configure install/update command
-if ($envFile -ieq "environment.yml" -or $envFile -ieq "environment.yaml") {
+if ($envFile.Contains(".yml") -or $envFile.Contains(".yaml")) {
     $installCommand = "conda env update -n $condaEnvName --file $envFilePath --prune"
-    $successString = "Successfully installed "
 } elseif ($envFile -ieq "setup.py" -or $envFile -ieq "pyproject.toml") {
     $installCommand = "conda run -n $condaEnvName python -m pip install -e $appPath"
 } elseif ($envFile -ieq "requirements.txt") {
     $installCommand = "conda run -n $condaEnvName python -m pip install -r $envFilePath"
 } else {
     Write-Log "Unsupported environment file $envFile" -Level "ERROR"
-    Return 1
+    Exit 1
+}
+
+# check for existing conda environment, create if not found
+$condaEnvList = conda env list
+if ($condaEnvList | Select-String -Pattern $condaEnvName) {
+    Write-Log "Conda environment $condaEnvName exists"
+} else {
+    Write-Log "Creating conda environment $condaEnvName"
+    $response = conda create -n $condaEnvName
+    Write-Log ($response | Out-String)
 }
 
 # install or update python into environment
-if ($envFile -ieq "setup.py" -or $envFile -ieq "requirements.txt") {
+if ($envFile -ieq "setup.py" -or $envFile -ieq "requirements.txt" -or $envFile -ieq "pyproject.toml") {
     # get version of python in base environment
     $response = conda run -n base python --version
-    if ($response -match "Python (\d+\.\d+\.\d+)") {
+    if (($response | Out-String) -match "Python (\d+\.\d+\.\d+)") {
         $basePythonVersion = $matches[1]
         Write-Log "base environment Python version: $basePythonVersion"
     } else {
         Write-Log "No Python found in base environment." -Level "ERROR"
-        return 1
+        Exit 1
     }
     # get current version of python in environment, install if not found
     $response = conda run -n $condaEnvName python --version
-    if ($response -match "Python (\d+\.\d+\.\d+)") {
+    if (($response | Out-String) -match "Python (\d+\.\d+\.\d+)") {
         $pythonVersion = $matches[1]
         Write-Log "$condaEnvName environment Python version: $pythonVersion"
     } else {
         Write-Log "It is normal to see 'Python was not found' above this message."
-        Write-Log "Installing Python=$basePythonVersion into $condaEnvName environment..."
+        Write-Log "Installing Python=$basePythonVersion into $condaEnvName conda environment..."
         $response = conda install -n $condaEnvName python=$basePythonVersion -y
         Write-Log ($response | Out-String)
     }
     # if versions don't match update python
     if ($pythonVersion -ne $basePythonVersion) {
-        Write-Log "Updating to Python=$basePythonVersion in $condaEnvName environment..."
+        Write-Log "Updating to Python=$basePythonVersion in $condaEnvName conda environment..."
         $response = conda install -n $condaEnvName python=$basePythonVersion -y
         Write-Log ($response | Out-String)
     }
@@ -147,14 +156,9 @@ While (!($Success) -and ($NumAttempts -lt 5)) {
         $Success = $False
     }
 
-    # success string based test overrides exit code
-    if ($successString) {
-        $Success = $response | Select-String -Pattern $successString
-    }
-
     if ($Success) {
         Write-Log ($response | Out-String)
-        Write-Log "Successfully installed or updated"
+        Write-Log "Successfully installed or updated $appName in $condaEnvName conda environment"
         # environment files have no permissions for 'Users' group
         if ($InstallType -eq "AllUsers") {
             Write-Log "Granting permissions to env folder. This can take over 30 minutes..."
@@ -162,6 +166,7 @@ While (!($Success) -and ($NumAttempts -lt 5)) {
             icacls $EnvPath /grant:r "Users:(OI)(CI)F" /T /Q # full permissions
         }
     } else {
+        Write-Log "Attempt $NumAttempts failed to install or update" -Level "ERROR"
         Write-Log ($response | Out-String) -Level "ERROR"
     }
     $NumAttempts++
@@ -172,4 +177,4 @@ if ($Env:GITPYUP_DEPLOY_DEBUG) {
     Read-Host -Prompt "Press enter key to exit" | Out-Null
 }
 
-Return $LASTEXITCODE
\ No newline at end of file
+Exit $installExitCode
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/gitpyup/Setup-NationalInstruments.ps1 b/gitpyup/Setup-NationalInstruments.ps1
index f8adf83..96c01b7 100644
--- a/gitpyup/Setup-NationalInstruments.ps1
+++ b/gitpyup/Setup-NationalInstruments.ps1
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ This script sets up National Instruments software using NI Package Manager.
 
 # logging
 # check if Utility-Functions.ps1 is present
-if (Test-Path "./$ENV:GITPYUPUTILSNAME") {
-    . "./$ENV:GITPYUPUTILSNAME"
+if (Test-Path "./Utility-Functions.ps1") {
+    . "./Utility-Functions.ps1"
     Start-Logging
 }
 function Write-LogOrHost {
diff --git a/gitpyup/Setup-Python.ps1 b/gitpyup/Setup-Python.ps1
index fda66f9..887ab91 100644
--- a/gitpyup/Setup-Python.ps1
+++ b/gitpyup/Setup-Python.ps1
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ This script installs Miniforge3 for the 3M corporate environment.
 It can be run as part of gitpyup for now.
 #> 
 
-# check if Utility-Functions.ps1 is present
-. "./$ENV:GITPYUPUTILSNAME"
+# run Utility-Functions.ps1 to get the utility functions
+. "./Utility-Functions.ps1"
 Start-Logging
 
 Write-Log "Setup-Python v1"
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ $MiniforgeInstall = {
         [hashtable]$Conda
     )
 
-    . "./$ENV:GITPYUPUTILSNAME"
+    . "./Utility-Functions.ps1"
     Start-Logging
 
     # remove Miniforge3 folder if it exists
@@ -118,9 +118,12 @@ $EnvSetupScript = {
     )
 
     # logging
-    . "./$ENV:GITPYUPUTILSNAME"
+    . "./Utility-Functions.ps1"
     Start-Logging
 
+    # this prevents a halts due to an interactive conda message about reporting errors
+    conda config --set report_errors false
+
     # this sections is needed if the device is subject to SSL inspection
     # currently Minforge/conda does not have a way to use the system certs
     # The bundle URL is set by an environment variable
diff --git a/gitpyup/run-elevated-first.bat b/gitpyup/run-elevated-first.bat
index f3890e5..a594359 100644
--- a/gitpyup/run-elevated-first.bat
+++ b/gitpyup/run-elevated-first.bat
@@ -2,10 +2,12 @@
 
 echo run-elevated-v1
 
+pushd %~dp0
+
 if exist Deploy-gitpyup.ps1 goto check_Permissions
 
 :result_False
-    echo Ensure run-elevated-once.bat, Deploy-gitpyup.ps1 and your yaml file are extracted (may have downloaded .zip) and in the same directory.
+    echo Please try again!: Ensure run-elevated-first.bat and Deploy-gitpyup.ps1 are extracted (not in a zip file) and in the same directory.
     goto Done
 
 :check_Permissions
@@ -16,7 +18,7 @@ if exist Deploy-gitpyup.ps1 goto check_Permissions
         echo Success: Administrative permissions confirmed.
         goto set_Policies_Unblock
     ) else (
-        echo Failure: Current permissions inadequate, right click and select 'Run with Elevated Privileges'
+        echo Please try again!: Current permissions inadequate, right click and select 'Run with Elevated Privileges' or 'Run as Administrator'.
         goto Done
     )
     
@@ -28,4 +30,5 @@ if exist Deploy-gitpyup.ps1 goto check_Permissions
     echo Next step: right click Deploy-gitpyup.ps1 and select 'Run with PowerShell'
 
 :Done
-    pause
\ No newline at end of file
+    pause
+    popd
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/Test-Setup-Application.ps1 b/tests/Test-Setup-Application.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48353c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Test-Setup-Application.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+<#
+Copyright (c) 2025 3M Company
+This script tests the Setup-Application.ps1 script.
+!!! need to manually run Deploy-gitpyup once to generate Utility-Functions.ps1
+#> 
+
+# change path to gitpyup
+Set-Location "$PSScriptRoot\..\gitpyup"
+
+. "./Utility-Functions.ps1"
+Start-Logging
+
+$install = @{
+    'type' = "SingleUser"
+}
+
+# set the application path to the tests directory
+$appPath = $PSScriptRoot
+
+$application = @{
+    'name' = "gitpyup-test"
+    'path' = $appPath
+    'environment_file' = "gitpyup-test-env.yml"
+}
+
+$name = $application.name
+
+$pinfo = New-Object System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo
+$pinfo.FileName = "powershell"
+$pinfo.RedirectStandardError = $true
+$pinfo.RedirectStandardOutput = $false
+$pinfo.UseShellExecute = $false
+$pinfo.CreateNoWindow = $false  # doesn't seem to open a window but when false does output to console
+$pinfo.WorkingDirectory = (Get-Location).Path
+$pinfo.Arguments = "-Command & './Setup-Application.ps1' " + 
+    "-Name $($application.name) " +
+    "-Path $($application.path) " +
+    "-EnvironmentFile $($application.environment_file) " +
+    "-InstallType $($install.type)"
+$p = New-Object System.Diagnostics.Process
+$p.StartInfo = $pinfo
+$p.Start() | Out-Null
+$p.WaitForExit()
+if ($p.ExitCode -ne 0) {
+    Write-Log "Python environment setup failed for $name, Run $gpun-update shortcut to try again!" -Level 'ERROR'
+    Write-Log "exit code: $($p.ExitCode)"  -Level 'ERROR'
+    $stderr = $p.StandardError.ReadToEnd()
+    if ($stderr) {
+        Write-Log "stderr: $stderr" -Level 'ERROR'
+    }
+} else {
+    Write-Log "Python environment setup complete for $name."
+}
diff --git a/tests/gitpyup-test-env.yml b/tests/gitpyup-test-env.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8499d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/gitpyup-test-env.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+name: gitpyup-test
+channels:
+  - conda-forge
+dependencies:
+  - pip
+  - python=3.13
+  - pip-system-certs
+  - pip:
+    - psutil
\ No newline at end of file