Hi, Dave.
I realize that security and ease of use are inversely related but if all
one
has to do is right click to Run as Administrator that doesn't seem like
much
of a security but it still requires that extra click.
You apparently (like me) have a blank password for the Administrator, so it
takes ONLY a click. If you DO create a password for that level user, then
"Run as Administrator" would take more than "that extra click". Anyone
trying to Run as Administrator would have to know that password and enter
it. For folks like me (and you?) who are the only users of our computers in
our homes, the extra security level does seem unnecessary - but it can be a
lifesaver (well, a computer-saver) sometimes.
My frustration level with UAC (User Access Control) was very high during the
Vista beta period, when I was reinstalling the newest Vista build - and all
my applications - every month or two. And then I had to do it all again
when Vista went RTM - and again when I upgraded my motherboard/CPU, etc., in
December and had to reinstall RTM. But, after a month or so, when all my
apps were finally installed and running, the UAC prompts became fewer and
farther between. Now, I see them only when I'm trying to do truly Admin
things, like running Disk Management to format a volume, or running an
Admin-level Command Prompt to handle some gut-level job. Now, it is only a
minor nuisance, and worth the trade-off for security.
Maybe I haven't paid much attention to the restrictions on the Program Files
(and Program Files (x86) in a 64-bit WinXP or Vista) folder because most of
my apps that don't require formal installation are not in that folder.
Family Tree Maker, for example, is in E:\FTW. Quicken is in E:\QuickenW on
my computer, even though it does require installation; I just tell its setup
program to do a Custom install and browse to the folder I want to use,
keeping it out of Program Files.
RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail beta in Vista Ultimate x64)