Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Disable UAC on Server 2008 and Vista

I'm running Windows Server 2008 as a workstation. I ran into the usual problems with UAC and eventually disabled it.

My logic is this: On XP we didn't have UAC and I never got into trouble. The reason that I didn't get into trouble is because I'm a highly sophisticated user (software developer). I don't surf dubious web sites or follow suspicious links, and I don't install software from sources that I haven't researched or aren't linked to from multiple reputable places.

I believe that UAC shows it's true value to the mother-in-law (unsophisticated user) and protects them against valid dangers. I have seen my parents clicking on all sorts of links that I wouldn't go anywhere near. They need UAC and it should be switched on for them.

For us developers my belief is that leaving UAC switched on will cost us more in lost productivity than it will gain us in protection.

Disable UAC on Windows Server 2008

 

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. Click User Accounts.
  3. Click Turn User Account Control on or off.
  4. (If you receive a User Account Control message click Continue.)
  5. Clear the "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer" check box, and then click OK.
  6. Click Restart Now to apply the change right away, or click Restart Later and close the User Accounts tasks window.

Disable UAC on Vista

  1. Similar to the above except when you open the Control Panel just type UAC into the search box (top right).
  2. You will then see the "Turn User Account Control (UAC) on or off. Follow this link.
  3. Clear the check box and then click okay.

 

1 comment:

  1. Cheers, so much easier for access to programs such as Notepad++ which need to be ran as administrator each time. Like you say, it's only a useful program for those who need it i.e the typical user.
    NB: On Vista a UAC search doesn't return anything, you need to go on User Accounts and do it from there :)
    JPMarkey.co.uk

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