Reference number: CH000937

How do I disable the Windows Vista User Account Control?

Question:

How do I disable the Windows Vista User Account Control?

Answer:

When entering locations that allow you to adjust system settings you may receive a prompt similar to the below prompt, with the options to continue or cancel.

User Account Control
Windows needs your permission to continue
If you understand this action, continue.

Microsoft has included this feature into Windows Vista as an extra safety precaution to help prevent users and malicious programs from adjusting settings that may cause issues with your computer. Some examples of where you may get this prompt is when attempting to open the Windows Registry, Device Manager, an Administrative Tools feature, managing accounts, etc. To disable this feature and prevent these prompts from occurring follow the below steps.

1. Open the Windows Control Panel.
2. Open the User accounts icon.
3. Within User accounts click Turn User Account Control on or off
4. This will open the User Account Control (UAC) window. If you wish to disable this feature uncheck the Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer and click Ok. If you wish to enable this feature check this option if unchecked.
5. After following the above steps you'll need to reboot your computer to complete this action.

As mentioned by the Windows Security Center after disabling this feature not only will disabling the "Windows needs your permission to continue" prompt, but it will also disable the "A program needs your permission to continue", "An unidentified program wants access to your computer", and "This program has been blocked" prompts.

Additional information:

• After disabling the User Account Control you may encounter the Temp folder is on a drive that is full or is inaccessible error. Additional workarounds for this issue can be found on document CH000944.
• See our UAC computer dictionary definition for additional information about this term as well as related links.