You control User Account Control (UAC) settings primarily through the Windows Control Panel, adjusting notification levels for system changes.
User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature in Windows that helps prevent unauthorized changes to your computer. It prompts for your permission or an administrator password when an action requires administrative privileges, such as installing software or changing system settings. While essential for security, you can adjust how often UAC notifications appear based on your preference and risk tolerance.
Adjusting User Account Control Settings
To change how UAC behaves on your system, you need to access its configuration panel.
Follow these steps to control User Account Control:
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Open the Control Panel: You can typically find this by searching for "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar.
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Navigate to System and Security: Within the Control Panel, locate and click on the "System and Security" category.
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Change User Account Control settings: Under the "System and Security" options, click on "Change User Account Control settings."
- Reference: You can change the UAC behavior by opening the Control Panel > System and Security > Change User Account Control settings.
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Move the Slider: A window will appear with a vertical slider on the left side. This slider represents different levels of UAC notification. Move the slider to your desired level of notification.
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Save Changes: After selecting the desired level, select OK to save your changes.
Understanding UAC Notification Levels
The UAC slider allows you to choose from several notification levels. Each level impacts when and how you are prompted:
- Always Notify: This is the most secure setting. You will be notified every time an app tries to make changes that require administrative permissions or when you make changes to Windows settings. The desktop dims, and you must explicitly allow the action.
- Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (default): This is the standard setting. You are notified when apps try to make changes, but not when you make changes to Windows settings. The desktop still dims.
- Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop): Similar to the default, but the desktop does not dim. This is slightly less secure as malicious programs could potentially interfere with the prompt.
- Never notify: This setting disables UAC notifications. Apps can make changes without your permission, and you are not notified when you make changes to Windows settings. This is the least secure option and is not recommended.
Choosing the right level involves balancing security with convenience. For most users, the default setting provides a good balance.
Practical Considerations
- Administrator Privileges: To change UAC settings, you must have administrator privileges on the computer.
- Security vs. Convenience: Lowering or disabling UAC reduces security risks by allowing potentially unauthorized changes without prompt.
- System Performance: Disabling the "dim desktop" feature might offer a slight performance improvement on older systems but compromises security visualization.
By following these steps and understanding the different levels, you can effectively control the behavior of User Account Control on your Windows computer.
