Understanding User Account Control

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated October 7, 2019)

User Account Control (UAC) was introduced with Windows Vista and was generally not well received. Microsoft improved it, however, and retained in later versions of Windows. While it can still be a bit irritating, it is not nearly as irritating as it was in Vista.

The point behind UAC is to allow users to use a system without elevated privileges so they don't accidentally damage the system. When it is necessary to make system-level changes, UAC prompts the user for administrator credentials. Another aspect to UAC is that when it is active it prevents programs from making system-level changes without your knowledge, thus keeping the system more secure.

You can fine-tune how UAC works, including when (or if) you're notified of particular system changes. Changing how User Account Control works is discussed under another tip.

 This tip (3601) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Setting a Restore Point

Restore Points let you go "back in time" to a point before you made system changes that could prove harmful to your ...

Discover More

Searching From within File Explorer

Searching from within File Explorer is a quick and easy way to find files and even content within files. This tip shows ...

Discover More

Using Powercfg to Query an Existing Power Scheme

This tip shows you how to use the command-line Powercfg utility to query a given power scheme from your current environment.

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Changing an Account's Picture

You may want to customize your account so that it uses a picture of your own choosing. This tip tells you how to change ...

Discover More

Getting Rid of Your Windows 7 Password

When you get rid of your Windows login password, you accomplish two things. First, you make it easier to log onto your ...

Discover More

Adding a User Account

Windows allows you to set up individual user accounts in case there are multiple people using the same computer. Here's ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is seven more than 1?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips