Disable User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista

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Windows Vista is the most secure version of Windows that Microsoft has ever developed. User Account Control (UAC) is part of Vista’s new security feature that aims to reduce the exposure of the operating system by requiring that all users run in standard user mode. This limitation minimizes the ability for users to make changes that could destabilize their computers or inadvertently expose the network to viruses through undetected malware that has infected their computer.

user account control

When users encounter a system task that requires administrator privileges, such as attempting to install an application, Windows Vista will notify the user and require administrator authorization. The good thing about this is that it prevents users from messing up their PC and also helps eliminate the ability for malware to invoke administrator privileges without a user’s knowledge.

Even though User Account Control protects you, it can get really annoying sometimes.

Here is how you can turn off User Account Control:

Go to Control Panel > User Accounts and click the link for “Turn User Account Control on or off”

Uncheck the box and restart your computer to save the change. That’s it!

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9 responses so far, Leave a comment

  1. 1

    Ashish Mohta

    April 3, 2007 at 8:28 am

    This Sounds like a normal feature though.Most of the secured operating system wont allow you to change things if its restricted with Admin Privilege.I think There is an option in XP also

  2. 2

    Gili

    April 3, 2007 at 2:57 pm

    This is an important feature when you run in an enterprise environment.At home it could be quite annoying. That’s why the first thing i do when i install a new PC is set myself as an administrator :)

  3. 3

    Madhur Kapoor

    April 4, 2007 at 4:20 am

    It is a bit annoying, sometimes it has even denied me permission when i was deleting a file , dont know why .

  4. 4

    Robert Irizarry

    April 8, 2007 at 3:46 pm

    Vista may be the most secure but its also the most annoying. The “security” features are just overbearing to deal with at times and Madhur I’ve seen the file deletion issues as well. They occurred under XP as well but at least I could turn to the application Unlocker to release the file. Last I checked Unlocker did not work with Vista.

    See Linux and the Mac for far better security implementations from the user perspective. BTW, this is coming from a Windows guy.

  5. 5

    Martin Daugaard Stevnhoved

    April 26, 2007 at 5:57 pm

    Hi, John.

    You should try to take a look at the free software TweakUAC (www.tweak-uac.com). With this software you can set UAC in quiet-mode. You still get protected mode in IE, and applications are started without administrative privileges. But you get rid of the annoying UAC-”Windows needs your permission to continue”-pop-ups.

    Best Regards, Martin

  6. 6

    Shivaranjan

    May 12, 2007 at 12:44 am

    Actually I have disabled these functionality in my Vista but I reccommend noob users to keep this thing switched ON always.

  7. 7

    IbbiDa

    November 25, 2007 at 1:47 am

    Do NOT turn off the control feature or always log on as admin. You will expose your system to malware and probably cause other damage by putting things in the wrong place. You will end up slowing your system down and eventually having to reinstall your operating system. There is a reason they designed those annoying things. Live with it or suffer severe, dire, irreparable consequences.

    PeaceOut

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