Disabling User Account Control in Windows 8
Disabling User Account Control (UAC) in Windows 8
With the new User Interface of Windows 8, accessing simple panels and doing easy tasks can be a pain. This blog post is for one such simple task, which has changed from the previous versions.
User Account Control (UAC) is a security component that enables users to perform common tasks as non-administrators (called standard users in Windows Vista), and as administrators without having to switch users, log off, or use Run As. But sometimes it becomes a hassle to keep waiting for the prompt at times for an elevation of the user rights to be able to proceed ahead.
Some companies go ahead and manage these by disabling it. Doing this in Windows 7 was simple enough. Go to Run, or the Start Menu and start searching for “Change User Account Settings”. In Windows 8 as well, the idea is the same, which takes just 2 simple steps:
1. Go to the Search Charm and type “Change User Account Settings”:
2. In the console, change the settings as per your requirement. If you want to disable it, you can keep it at “Never notify”:
Hit OK and you are OK to go.
You can even change the following registry key to disable UAC:
Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Key: EbableLUA
Value data: 0
Hope this helps. Until next time about a new feature of Windows 8.
Happy reading!
Comments
Anonymous
July 21, 2012
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July 30, 2012
Hi Andre, Thanks for the input. I was able to update this using the GUI as well. But if you came across that says it otherwise, please let me know about it. Also, as you have mentioned the Registry changes, editing that into the blog as well. Regards, YashAnonymous
August 02, 2012
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August 02, 2012
That is great information Andre. ThanksAnonymous
October 30, 2012
I can confirm that the GUI does not disable the UAC entirely, and that for many programs you will still need to click "run as administrator". There apparently is a way to disable it through a different GUI dialog, but I can't seem to find it... with that said, the registry is the best option.Anonymous
November 01, 2012
UAC is such garbage to any power user. Something as simple as copying a file over to the system drive from a network drive becomes IMPOSSIBLE because Windows thinks the mounted drive directory doesn't exist!Anonymous
November 01, 2012
no, Powerusers love to work with limited rights only trolls argue like you. Enable the setting "EnableLinkedConnections" and your issue is gone :P support.microsoft.com/.../2019185Anonymous
November 14, 2012
You spelled "enable" wrong in your registry example. EbableLUA should be EnableLUA.Anonymous
November 18, 2012
Actually power users do prefer to keep UAC disabled. It becomes nothing but a headache when trying to troubleshoot various hardware/software issues. Only end user/client computers should have UAC disabled. Sys Admins along with Microsoft encourage disabling UAC in various scenarios.Anonymous
November 22, 2012
Windows 8 automatically move my .ktt file (keytext file) from C:Progam FilesKeytext - the folde where Keytex is installed - to ..MyNameAppDataLocalVirtualStore. When keytex start, it cannot found keytext.ktt files with all my keys!! Windows 8, another s..t! Now I will try disabling UAC on registry key. RegardsAnonymous
November 28, 2012
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November 28, 2012
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November 28, 2012
Did you try turning it off and on again???Anonymous
January 20, 2013
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February 21, 2013
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March 20, 2013
Hello to everybody, found this page as I was trying to find a solution because recently I bought a laptop thas uses windows 8 but everytime I open it/start, it appears to do "control/check/calibration of parameters posibilities of windows" something like that, don't know how to translate the message because it comes to me in greek. The point is that the whole "checking" takes about 20minutes as it goes gradualy from 1% to 100% when I finally can use the computer but it is very frustrating as each time I need to wait long before I can use it. Do you thing is this the same problem as the one you discribe? Can I fix this in the same way? Any advice will be much appreciated.Anonymous
June 05, 2013
Can you tell me how you disable the uac using a registry? As someone has said changing the uac setting to do not notify does not work (in security setings it shows the uac is still on). I am trying to install my mobile broadband but the uac won't let me and the instructions it gives to turn it off don't work on the last point so its no use to me! Please help as I am dying without internet! Thanks :)Anonymous
September 03, 2013
You need to run secpol.msc -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode -> Disabled. To turn off UAC completely. Upon doing this it will prompt you to reboot your computer to turn off UAC.Anonymous
September 13, 2013
Thanks it works simly lower down the leveler..to last..Anonymous
September 26, 2013
What kind of idiot actually likes this UAC garbage?Anonymous
October 07, 2013
While UAC can be a pain at times, as a developer I have to be sure and develop with it in mind and ensure our QA department test for such restrictions. While as a developer I would love to disable it all together I really need to make sure I am not violating any of its restrictions while developing a desktop application or Desktop javascript programs (MVVM). The programs I use for development... I simple ensure their Advanced Properties are set to run as Admin., but I still have to test as a regular user. A quick way to change the settings for your task bar programs is to go to the folder they reside in and right click each program you want to run as ADMIN and set its properties to run as Admin... Or create a shortcut on the desktop - change it to run as admin and then move it to the taskbar or start menu. Folder location:(Windows 7 and 8 ) C:UsersYourUserAccountNameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftInternet ExplorerQuick LaunchUser PinnedTaskBarAnonymous
October 09, 2013
"Never notify" doesn't disable UAC in Windows 8: msdn.microsoft.com/.../bb648649(v=vs.85).aspxAnonymous
October 14, 2013
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November 30, 2013
5 days ago I picked up a new Lenovo laptop. It's running Windows 8.1 .For the last 4 days I've been trying to get Auto-CAD and my USB Modem to install. It downloaded the setup.exe, but every time I run it, I get this Permission Error that reads Access denied:'C:\VTRoot\Harddisk Volume 5\user\appData\local** When I Googled it, I found that it's been put into the programing. Microsoft gives you a fix, but you have to pay for it through places like PC DOC. I, for one, am not happy with this new operating system. The only things that I seem to be able to install on this thing are what ever is in the Microsoft Store, nothing, and I mean nothing, else will install, even after shutting off all Antivirus programs and turning off firewalls. I'm about ready to wipe the OS and put on Windows 7.Anonymous
December 09, 2013
I have a software installed on my windows 8.1 64 bit sony vaio laptop. But then I try to connect using my Twitter account I'm getting the following error message: Error During Login: Access to the path 'C:UsersFazilioAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsINetCacheContent.IE5' is denied. Anyone know I can solve this problem? Many ThanksAnonymous
December 23, 2013
I use GoToMeeting with remote clients and need to take control of their keyboard and mouse. I was always able to do this with W7, by setting "Never Notify" up in the account settings. I dod so with a new client with W8 and it didn't work. I can use the keyboard and mouse on all Windows things, but when I attempt to use them in a particular - non Windows software, they stop working (yes, rebooted, but still no luck). Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks -Anonymous
December 25, 2013
Is there a way to allow a standard user account to authorize a UAC breach instead of the administrator?Anonymous
January 16, 2014
pues nose aun ya que hasta ahora no lo puedo instalarAnonymous
January 25, 2014
Check with whoever made your computer to start with if you upgraded from win 7 to win 8 or 8.1. Dell, HP whoever like to add a admin account and hide it. Then when you upgrade if you didnt go through your computer maker it will not play right. Additional info to help can be found at www.eightforums.com/.../5160-tutorial-how-make-windows-8-understand-you-administrator.htmlAnonymous
January 26, 2014
i got a new laptop dell with windows 8. need to install autocad and max. system requirements say only 2014 version can be installed. after installation is complete it keeps giving error that installation complete. some products failed to install. and i again i keep trying. what should i do please urgent help needed!Anonymous
February 04, 2014
This is being made far too complicated When the UAC prompt appears, click on "Change when this message appears" this brings up the classic UAC dialog, turn down to zero and restartAnonymous
February 14, 2014
This process just turns off the notifications ... it doesn't stop windows from interrupting software updates etc ... system and security>admin tools > local security policy - security options ...UAC ..... click to disable ...but switch it back when you've done whatever you need toAnonymous
February 25, 2014
I have windows surface 8.1 ,is there any way to download inventor auto desk on my tablet?Anonymous
April 22, 2014
why would we want to do this? its a security problem if you disable UAC. Its there to prevent apps from installing themselves as adminstrator without your knowledge. Namely malware spyware and viruses. Usually it is only required once to give permission via the UAC elevation dialog, then after that the installer will continue normally. Am I mistaken here? Would having UAC ENABLED cause installation problems or installer to fail? I have been having problems installation AutoCAD INVENTOR Professional Education edition. I have UAC enabled still on my PC.Anonymous
May 13, 2014
I use special professional software. Updates will not install on my laptop running W8Pro because of the UAC issue. The company is working on re-writing to get around this, but I need it working now! So UAC has to go.Anonymous
June 27, 2014
what if I want to turn the user account on?Anonymous
July 10, 2014
Umm what if I am trying to turn it on and its not working? and its not working when I try to turn it off either.. in fact it wont even bring it up....Anonymous
July 12, 2014
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August 13, 2014
tried last post(alfredo)08/13/14-get messages that says cannot edit EnableLUA-error writing the value's contentAnonymous
August 16, 2014
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August 27, 2014
The following are the different options for disabling UAC: www.internetworkconsulting.net/.../disable-uac-user-account-controlsAnonymous
August 29, 2014
Bud - The only reason I needed to disable UAC is that some software I use requires elevated privileges. So, I can run as admin, which lets me at least run it, but then there are other problems like windows explorer running NOT elevated, so I can't drag files from explorer into the program. This might not seem like a big deal, but having to navigate through the file menu would be a nightmare for the work I do, so I need to be able to drag/drop files from explorer.Anonymous
September 15, 2014
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September 21, 2014
i totally confused acutely I restored my PC n apps r not opening wat should I dooAnonymous
September 22, 2014
PLEASE HELP. I have turned off UAC and restarted several times - it is still on. I am trying to install a program that I use to transcribe court hearings, etc. and it keeps telling me to turn off the UAC. I have a project starting Wednesday and need this program installed before then. Thanks for any help you can give me. I am not that computer literate so please use laymen's terms. Thanks again.Anonymous
February 12, 2015
windows 8 is a disaster (i could describe how exactly -- would be an unnecessary waste of web space & why the obvious should be especially prompted) ((as this is a msdn v. of how to switch off UAC - then now i'm shure to move to another OS . . . nice post btw. XD))Anonymous
June 03, 2015
All of you who are not happy with M$, use Linux! Try Fedora, Mandriva, heck even Ubuntu gives better results than Micro$hit. There is only one way to receive a better Windows: stop using it !Anonymous
September 07, 2015
This doesn't work because the UAC comes up and the YES option is disabled. Any other suggestions?Anonymous
December 21, 2015
I am using windows 10 for 6 to 8 months now the problem occurs here, my desktop doesn't show icons. Kindly suggest!