Completely remove User Account Control

[CM40484]

As a single user on my computer running Windows 7 64bit, I find that the massively intrusive User Account Control is just unacceptable.
I do not want to attempt to change every file or folder to something elevated to access MY FILES.
Is there any way to remove this User Account Control?

Permanently fix this garbage control. It is just too annoying to deal with any longer. XP is STILL the best OS every conceived.

 

[clifford_cooley]

If turning UAC off is not what you are asking then I'm not sure how to help.

Go here to turn UAC off.

1. Control Panel >> System and Security >> Action Center
2. Then click on change UAC settings.

Or type UAC in the search box of Start Menu.

 

[TrainableMan]

Basically W7 is designed to allow one computer to have multiple users and so it tries to limit access across accounts. Part of doing this is by controlling direct access to the C:\users folders and instead providing pointers to the data in the form of "libraries". Each time a different user logs in, the pointers are redirected to that users documents, music, pictures, and videos.

Also a common problem is that less experienced users either delete, move, or allow malware to damage windows system files/folders as well as the installed programs files/folders. In order to prevent this all system files/folders are owned by a Windows 7 system account, rather than by you.

Even the default UAC settings have a purpose: to notify you if something is attempting to install without your knowledge. This is at least an attempt to keep out malware by making you "approve" any installs. So if you want to take that responsibility without having to say OK then you can lower UAC levels.


When I first converted from XP I, too, found all these limitations frustrating because it is so different, but now I understand their purpose and, for the most part, am satisfied with just setting UAC levels lower.


If you feel you absolutely need access to files/folders not assigned to your account then you will want to install "Take Ownership" from our Freeware DB so that when you run into a file/folder you do not "OWN", that you can give yourself ownership privileges.

 

[Digerati]

Permanently fix this garbage control. It is just too annoying to deal with any longer. XP is STILL the best OS every conceived.

Well, it is NOT garbage control, it IS annoying, and XP was the best OS but no longer as it is now obsolete and no longer the best for "today's" computing environment.

As someone who never migrated to Vista myself, the learning curve going from XP to Windows 7 was quite steep. But now that I am used to Windows 7, it is easy to see how "clunky", slow, resource hogging, and unwieldy XP was. And in talking to other W7 users who took the time to get familiar with Windows 7, I have found none that wanted to go back to XP.

In other words, give it chance. And BTW, W7 UAC nags MUCH LESS than Vista.

Even the default UAC settings have a purpose: to notify you if something is attempting to install without your knowledge. This is at least an attempt to keep out malware by making you "approve" any installs. So if you want to take that responsibility without having to say OK then you can lower UAC levels.

Exactly! And not just to protect from malware, but to prevent any program (or user) from making unauthorized changes on your system.

IF and only if you are the only Admin user AND you are VERY disciplined at "practicing safe computing", then you can turn off UAC for your account from the User Accounts Control Panel Applet. Click on "Change User Account Control settings", move the slider to the bottom, reboot.

Note by "practicing safe computing", I mean you (1) keep Windows, current, fully patched and updated, (2) you use a decent anti-malware solution and keep it updated (I use MSE), (3) you use a software based firewall (I use Windows Firewall), and you avoid risky behavior by avoiding participating in illegal filesharing via torrents, P2P sites, and you avoid visiting illegal gambling and porn sites.

If you or any user of that computer is not very disciplined in safe computing practices, leave UAC enabled.

WARNING!: Scan the heck out of your machine with your full arsenal of malware scanners to be 200% certain your machine is clean BEFORE disabling UAC.

Also, secure that account with a "strong" (UPPER and lower case letters, numerals and special characters) password, and ensure the system requires the PW when coming out of sleep modes.