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WHAT IS USER ACCOUNT CONTROL?
In this article
- '_Windows_needs_your_permission_to_continue_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=0eeb9ddd-ddaa-4cc5-a092-990830566547#CFECCDFIFCO_26)
- '_A_program_needs_your_permission_to_continue_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=0eeb9ddd-ddaa-4cc5-a092-990830566547#CFECCDFIFCO_36)
- '_An_unidentified_program_wants_access_to_your_computer_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=0eeb9ddd-ddaa-4cc5-a092-990830566547#CFECCDFIFCO_48)
- '_This_program_has_been_blocked_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=0eeb9ddd-ddaa-4cc5-a092-990830566547#CFECCDFIFCO_55)
User Account Control (UAC) is a feature in Windows that can help
prevent unauthorized changes to your computer. UAC does this by asking
you for permission or an '_administrator_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=c6ed67cb-3054-4fd6-aba5-cecd436d290d#gtmt_administrator_def)*
'_password_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=45cf5840-fef0-4b98-9bba-f06e528bdb03#gtmt_password_def)
before performing actions that could potentially affect your computer's
operation or that change settings that affect other users. When you see
a UAC message, read it carefully, and then make sure the name of the
action or program that's about to start is one that you intended to
start.
By verifying these actions before they start, UAC can help prevent
'_malicious_software_(malware)_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=85b8c3e6-28c4-464d-b883-7764d16f54a2#gtmt_malicious_software_def)
and '_spyware_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=dcefd749-1ba5-4b2b-a476-be233702e7f4#gtmt_spyware_def)
from installing or making changes to your computer without permission.
When your permission or password is needed to complete a task, UAC will
alert you with one of the following messages:
WINDOWS NEEDS YOUR PERMISSION TO CONTINUE
[image:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Be...5f1cdbe9b&documentSet=en-US&renderKey=SIGNED1]
A Windows function or program that can affect other users of this
computer needs your permission to start. Check the name of the action to
ensure that it's a function or program you want to run.
A PROGRAM NEEDS YOUR PERMISSION TO CONTINUE
[image:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Be...73d9b2885&documentSet=en-US&renderKey=SIGNED1]
A program that's not part of Windows needs your permission to start. It
has a valid '_digital_signature_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=2082ca40-c3aa-44a0-9680-bbd8917430a9#gtmt_digital_signature1_def)
indicating its name and its publisher, which helps to ensure that the
program is what it claims to be. Make sure that this is a program that
you intended to run.
AN UNIDENTIFIED PROGRAM WANTS ACCESS TO YOUR COMPUTER
[image:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Be...ceb309443&documentSet=en-US&renderKey=SIGNED1]
An unidentified program is one that doesn't have a valid digital
signature from its publisher to ensure that the program is what it
claims to be. This doesn't necessarily indicate danger, as many older,
legitimate programs lack signatures. However, you should use extra
caution and only allow this program to run if you obtained it from a
trusted source, such as the original CD or a publisher's website.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN BLOCKED
[image:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Be...0b3324a2e&documentSet=en-US&renderKey=SIGNED1]
This is a program that your '_administrator_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=c6ed67cb-3054-4fd6-aba5-cecd436d290d#gtmt_administrator_def)
has specifically blocked from running on your computer. To run this
program, you must contact your administrator and ask to have the program
unblocked.
We recommend that you log on to your computer with a
'_standard_user_account_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=e28d50d9-3f22-49fb-a18e-041c84508643#gtmt_standard_account_def)
most of the time. You can surf the Internet, send e‑mail, and use
a word processor, all without an '_administrator_account_'
(mshelp://windows/?id=5da478b2-d29c-495d-8e64-94b922a43b32#gtmt_administrator_account_def).
When you want to perform an administrative task, such as installing a
new program or changing a setting that will affect other users, you
don't have to switch to an administrator account. Windows will prompt
you for permission or an administrator password before performing the
task.
To help protect your computer, you can create standard user accounts
for all the users who share the computer. When someone who has a
standard account tries to install software, Windows will ask for an
administrator account's password so that software can't be installed
without your knowledge and permission.
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Unless you are an experienced long time computer user, it is not
recommended to turn UAC off although it might be annoying at times. A
small price to pay for security of your computer. Having said that, if
you insist to turn it off, here is how :-
Click Start button > right panel, click Control Panel > left panel,
click Classic view > scroll to find User Accounts icon, right click >
click Turn user accounts control on or off > UN-check the box > click
OK. You're done.( Remember, you are doing it at the computer's risk. )
