How to run incompatibile with UAC programs on Vista

[Konrad Rusz]

Hello,
I have a question regarding programs that have problems with normal working
on Windows Vista. Is it possible to run them resigning from some of the
functionality of Vista OS? I suppose that problem is with User Account
Control (UAC) function. Can I install my programs outside the Program Files
folder (e.g. in C:\Dynamics75 or E:\New\Dynamics75) to abandon UAC
functionality for this programs or should I disable UAC at all?
If you have any answers on my questions I wil be appreciated to know them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mayayana]

I have a question regarding programs that have problems with normal
working

on Windows Vista. Is it possible to run them resigning from some of the
functionality of Vista OS?

It's going to depend on the software. Most things
should run but will be sandboxed and can't be used
on an all-user basis. For instance, a program that
writes INI files to its own program folder will have those
"virtualized" on a per-user basis, so every user will have
to set all of the program settings individually. On the other
hand, a program like a system tweaker utility that needs to
write to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry keys will also be
virtualized to a dummy key in HKEY_CURRENT_USER, making
that software useless.

I suppose that problem is with User Account
Control (UAC) function. Can I install my programs outside the Program Files
folder (e.g. in C:\Dynamics75 or E:\New\Dynamics75) to abandon UAC
functionality for this programs or should I disable UAC at all?

The only location where all users have full access is
the all users documents folder! But even if you install
there it won't stop Vista from sandboxing the program.

If you have any answers on my questions I wil be appreciated to know them.

These links might be informative if you want to look
into it:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/00d04415-2b2f-422c-b70
e-b18ff918c2811033.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2007/06/UAC/

Whether to disable UAC is a personal decision. If
you leave it enabled and run as a standard user then
you have better security but limited functionality.
If you disable UAC and run as full admin. then you'll
have functionality similar to XP.

 

[phypps]

I have a "Programs" folder (in addition to Program Files and Program
Files(x86)) that I use to install arkward programs that can't (or won't) run
within the protective zone for whatever reason.
Its perfectly OK, you just give up the added protection against naughty
programming that the system folders afford.
Providing you are happy that the program source is trustworthy, and its
Vista incompatability is benign it shouldn't be a problem.
However it needs to be the exception rather than the rule and not used
unless absolutely necessary.
Be warned that some programs are stopped in their tracks by Vista for good
reason !!

Phypps

 

[Guest]

I have found that UAC is ultimately a pain in the rear, in some instances it
will not allow me to run something that I know is ok, such as the government
weather site noaa, it will not let me run active x so that I can animate the
radar, another problem just recently I downloaded a game demo and it would
not let me install it until I turned off UAC. I used XP for years and never
had any problem with malicious programs. As long as I have a firewall active
and other virus protection enabled I feel fairly safe,

I can't beleive microsoft has totally taken over my computer with such a
worthless program, I don't know how we ever survived through all the years
with the other OS without this dandy little program.

I have a "Programs" folder (in addition to Program Files and Program
Files(x86)) that I use to install arkward programs that can't (or won't) run
within the protective zone for whatever reason.
Its perfectly OK, you just give up the added protection against naughty
programming that the system folders afford.
Providing you are happy that the program source is trustworthy, and its
Vista incompatability is benign it shouldn't be a problem.
However it needs to be the exception rather than the rule and not used
unless absolutely necessary.
Be warned that some programs are stopped in their tracks by Vista for good
reason !!

Phypps

 

[Konrad Rusz]

Many thanks to all of you for your help and your comprehensive answers.