viewtopic.php?t=5925 is the correct link to the issue you mentioned (thank you for drawing my attention to it).
After a bit more research I think I will end up creating a sub routine to use cmd/registry check to determine status of protected mode.

I'd like to write a script that Macroscheduler can use to check if IE is in protected mode.
I would appreciate any suggestions on a simple way to accomplish that.
I am planning to post back here with my results when I figure it out.