How to Turn off User Account Control in Windows Vista

Windows Vista implements a new security feature called User Account Control (or UAC). In the previous NT-based Windows operating systems, a typical desktop user was part of the Administrators group, giving him full access to all facilities, even by malicious programs. However, in a mechanism similar to the firewalls, Windows Vista will stop the task trying to access a restricted resource and ask the user if he'd like to allow it. There may be some situations in which the User Account Control becomes too much of a burden and it's necessary to disable it or turn it off.

Instructions

1. Open the control panel. Click on the "Start Menu" in the bottom left corner of your screen and select "Control Panel" to open the Windows Vista control panel. From here you can access the configuration dialogs for all parts of the operating systems.

2. 

   Click on "Add or remove user accounts" under the heading "User Accounts and Family Safety." The "User Accounts and Family Safety" icon is typically in the top-right of the dialog. If you cannot find it, use the search field at the top of the control panel.

3. Find the username of the user for whom you'd like to turn off the User Account Control feature. If this is a family or shared computer there will be multiple names. If Windows Vista logs in automatically and you don't know your username, look for a user named something other than Administrator or Guest.

4. Click on "Make changes to your user account" under the username.

5. Click on "Change security settings."

6. Make sure the box marked "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer" is not checked when the dialog asks if you wish to turn on User Account Control. Click "OK."

7. Save any documents you have open, close all programs and reboot the computer if you are instructed to.

8. Install anti-virus or anti-malware software. Since warning messages will no longer appear, you will have no indication that malicious software is trying to access resources on your computer. It's highly recommended you run a properly updated anti-virus or anti-malware program.

9. Re-enable User Account Control, by following the same procedure with one minor change: make sure to check the box labeled "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer."

Tips & Warnings

• After the reboot, User Account Control will be turned off for the selected user. No more permission dialogs will appear, but be aware that any malicious programs running will now silently have access to all resources.

• Be sure to read the warning message and understand the risks of turning User Account Control off before making any changes. You can seriously compromise the security of your computer by disabling the feature.