Blessed or Cursed by the User Account Control

John Campbell | Oct 03, 2009 | Comments

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What is the User Account Control (UAC)?

The User Account Control is an important feature in Windows Vista and Windows 7. It is designed to keep you in control of your computer. Set at its maximum security level, it informs you when a program wants to make a change. It blacks out the screen and asks you as the Adminstrator if you accept the change.

UAC works by adjusting the permission level of your user account. Everything hinges on how you are logged on. If you are a standard user, performing such tasks as reading e-mail, listening to music, or creating documents, present no problem but if you attempt to change settings, add or remove applications Windows stops you in your tracks. Only the logged-on Administrator can make these changes.

Even if you’re logged on as an administrator, when making changes your computer, UAC notifies you. As the administrator, you must click Yes to continue.

change uac 3a

Here the UAC has intervened, blanking out your screen and displaying the UAC Permission to proceed dialog box. You have to respond to it otherwise Windows 7 keeps the computer in an inactive state.

Why is the UAC so stringent?

It is part of Microsoft’s attempt to help prevent malicious software (malware) and spyware from being installed on or making changes to your computer.

Windows 7’s User Account Control identifies files or programs wanting to make changes by these symbols.

User Account Warning Symbols

Modifying UAC’s Behaviour

Many users find this intervention intolerable. Under Windows Vista you were stuck with it. Fortunately, Windows 7 offers you a choice of settings for the UAC.

You can access the User Account Control feature in a number of different ways. The most common methods are described below.

Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Action Center > User Account Control settings
Start Search > Type: uac > Click Change the User Account settings

Let’s use the second method:

Here’s how to change it:

Open the Start menu.
In the Search box, type uac.
Click on Change User Account Control settings.
The User Account Control settings window opens displaying its current setting.
Drag the slider bar down the list, choosing the setting you want. There are four settings ranging from Always notify (stringent) to Never notify (not a worry).
As you move down the list, Windows advises you on each setting.
Click the Ok button.
When Windows 7 blanks out your screen, confirm the change by clicking Yes in the dialog box.
Windows resumes operations letting you back in control of your computer.

Personally, I was never bothered by the UAC in Windows Vista while others found it a regular pain. However, I relish the new found controls available to tame UAC in Windows 7.

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