In this guide, we show you how to turn off User Account Control in Windows 10. Is it just an annoying extra step you don’t need or that safety net you require? We look at the benefits and consequences of disabling User Account Control (UAC).
If you are using Windows 10 then getting to the UAC settings is very simple. Follow the below instructions to turn off or change the User Account Control settings.
- Press the Windows Key to activate the text box.
- Type Control Panel into the text box
- Press Enter.
- Select System and Security
- Under the System and Maintenance heading you should click Change User Account Control Settings
- In the User Account Control settings box (shown above) there is a slider. Drag up or down to determine the level of protection you require. Drag the slider to the top for full protection and to the bottom to switch off completely. The two bold lines are what Microsoft recommends.
- Click OK
What is Windows 10 User Account Control?
User Account Control or UAC for short is another level of protection provided by Microsoft Windows. You will still need to have other security measures such as virus protection and a firewall. But UAC is an additional protection that runs over the top of those programs.
Think of UAC as a warning system which notifies you if something is about to make changes to your computer. This is useful as malicious apps, malware, viruses, etc will often make changes without you being aware. Depending on the notification level selected, UAC will prompt for confirmation before allowing any changes to take place.
Can UAC help with multiple people using the computer?
Yes, if you are in a work environment or have children using your computer you can create different user accounts with different permission levels. Only users with ‘administrator’ accounts can approve the User Account Control prompts.
For example, if you want your child to be able to use the computer without being able to make changes to the settings. You would give your user account ‘Administrator’ permissions and make the child’s user account a ‘standard user’. The User Account Control would still appear if the child tries to make changes. However, it would now request your administrator password before proceeding.
Do I need Windows 10 User Account Control?
There is a benefit to being notified about changes you were not expecting. However, it can also be a nuisance if you are installing lots of software. We recommend having UAC switched on at the recommended setting as the benefits outweigh the nuisance factor.
If you know you are about to install or make lots of changes to your computer you could disable the notifications until you are finished (drag slider to bottom to disable).
Why have UAC at work?
If you are at work then it is more than likely that UAC is switched on. The network administrator or the IT team will do this globally. To prevent users from installing software which could potentially contain viruses or malware. It also prevents users from making accidental changes to their computer settings.
More UAC information
There is also a simple short cut to getting to the UAC settings. Press the Windows Key and type UAC, then press Enter.
For more information, you can visit Microsoft Support by clicking here.
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