What is User Account Control?

User Account Control (UAC) is a major security component in Windows Vista. Windows Vista is the most secure version of Windows that Microsoft has ever developed and UAC is a major part of it.  Unlike previous versions of Windows like Windows XP , Windows 2000 and beyond, when an administrator logs on to a computer running Windows Vista, he logs on as a regular user without admin rights. The Admin rights are only invoked when a user needs to perform a task that requires administrator privileges, such as when you wish to install and application or running setup files.

While UAC is an important enhancement for Windows Vista, protecting users from malware which might get installed silently, it is highly annoying as almost every other task you do invokes administrator rights. For home users, it is a lot fo additional clicks everytime. Also, if you are giving a presentation in front of a class or in front of a meeting, you might want to disable UAC otherwise you will see something like the image below.

How to turn off User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista

Method # 1: Use MSCONFIG to disable UAC

Step # 1: Open Run command either by pressing <Windows Key> + R or through Start and type in command in the search

Step # 2: Type in msconfig (you should see the UAC pop up asking whether you wish to continue)

Step # 3: Click the Tools tab. Scroll down till your see Disable UAC. Click on it and press the launch button below.

Step # 4: A command window will open. When that command is done, you can close the window.

Method # 2: Disable UAC through the Registry

Step # 1: Open the Run command by pressing <Windows Key> + R

Step # 2: Type in regedit

Step # 3: In the Registry editor, find the following key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

Step # 4: Locate EnableUA. It is a Dword. Double click and give it a value 0

Step # 5: Close the registry editor. You might have to reboot the computer

Method # 3: Disable UAC through the Windows Vista Command Prompt

Step # 1: Open the run command using <Windows Key> + R

Step # 2: type in cmd

Step # 3: Copy paste the following and press Enter

C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /k %windir%\System32\reg.exe ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v EnableLUA /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

You might have to restart your computer.

Method # 4: Disable UAC through the Control Panel

Step # 1: Open Control Panel

Step # 2: In the search panel on the top right, type in User Account. Click on User Accounts

Step # 3: Click on Turn User Account Control on or off. Uncheck the box in the next screen and restart your computer