What Is UAC in Windows 10 and How to Disable It?

One of the things you need to control if you have a network of computers in your home or office is which users or programs have access to update items in that system.

One person serving as the network administrator is one technique to avoid unauthorized changes. However, having one person manage everything isn’t enough, which is where the User Access Control (UAC) feature comes in.

This article describes what User Account Control (UAC) is and how to disable it in Windows 10.

What Is UAC and How Does It Work?

Windows 10’s User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature that prevents unauthorized or unintended changes to the operating system. The functionality debuted with Windows Vista’s security system and has subsequently been upgraded with each successive Windows release.

Users, viruses, spyware, and apps can all cause these modifications. The modifications will not be implemented if the administrator does not authorize them.

Administrative rights are required for the following changes:

• Task Scheduler is now running.
• Changing the settings of the UAC
• Configurations for Windows Update
• User accounts can be added or removed.
• Changing files or settings in the Program Files or Windows directories that affect the entire system
• Changing or seeing the files or folders of other users
• Administrating applications
• Apps and drivers can be installed or uninstalled.
• Changing the Windows Firewall settings or the system date and time
• Setting up Parental Controls or Family Safety
• Changing the account type of users

The UAC appears every time you run a desktop app that requires admin access. When you want to update crucial system settings that require admin clearance, you’ll see it as well.

Any user on your network can log into their machines with a standard user account, but any processes they run will be run with standard user access permissions.

Any apps launched through Windows Explorer, for example, will have ordinary user permissions. This contains apps that are pre-installed with Windows 10.

Additional permissions are frequently necessary to run outdated apps that were not designed with security in mind. Installing new applications and modifying Windows Firewall setups require more rights since they require administrator account level permissions.

You can restore extra user groups to the token to control apps that perform system level changes to your computers or devices if you need to launch an app that requires more than standard account user permissions.

For families, there’s the option of creating a dedicated Child account with various restrictions and parental controls and monitoring built in. Learn more about how to add a family member to your Microsoft account in our Microsoft Family account and how to add a family member to your Microsoft account tutorials.

The Levels of the UAC Slider in Windows 10 and What They Mean

There were just two UAC options in Windows Vista: On or Off. There are four UAC levels to choose from in Windows 10:

Always Notify: You will be notified before users or apps make changes that require admin rights. It also puts other operations on hold until you respond, which is useful if you frequently browse new websites or install new applications.

Only notify me when programs/apps attempt to change my computer: Notifies you when programs attempt to modify or install software on your computer. Other tasks will be frozen until you reply at this level, but it will not warn you when you make changes to Windows settings.

Only notify me when programs/apps attempt to update my computer (do not dim my screen): When an application tries to make modifications or install software on your computer, it will notify you. When you make changes to Windows settings, it doesn’t inform you, and it doesn’t stop tasks until you answer. Only use this setting if dimming your computer’s desktop takes a lengthy time.

Never provide notice: When an application tries to make modifications, install software, or update Windows settings, it doesn’t tell you. This setting isn’t recommended, especially if you don’t have a robust security suite, because viruses and malware have an easier time infecting your computer when UAC is disabled.

How to Turn Off User Account Control in Windows 10

Note: Disabling UAC on your computer makes it easy for malicious programs to infect and administer your computer, thus we don’t encourage it. Instead of deactivating UAC entirely, utilize Windows Task Scheduler to launch those apps without admin access and UAC prompts first.

If you still wish to disable UAC, use the Control Panel, Group Policy, Registry Editor, or the Command Line to do it.

How to Turn Off User Account Control (UAC) How to Use the Control Panel?

1. Select User Accounts from the Control Panel.
2. Re-select User Accounts.
3. Select Change User Account Control Settings from the drop-down menu.
4. Drag the slider to Never notify to turn UAC off and then click OK if you want to totally disable UAC.
5. Drag the slider to the desired security level, then click OK to turn UAC back on. If prompted, confirm your choice or enter your admin password, and then restart your computer to apply the changes.

Using the Command Line to Disable UAC

To do so, type CMD into the search box and choose Run as administrator from the results.

Enter the following command in the Command Prompt box and click Enter:

reg.exe ADD HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies /v EnableLUA /t REG DWORD /d 0 /f System

To make the modifications take effect, restart your computer.

Enter the following command to re-enable or turn on UAC:
reg.exe ADD HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies /v EnableLUA /t REG DWORD /d 1 /f System

How to Use Group Policy Editor to Disable UAC

1. To do so, type Policy Editor into the search box and choose Edit Group Policy from the results.
2. Select Security Settings from Computer Configuration > Windows Settings.
3. Select Local Policies > Security Options after that.
4. Double-click User Account Control: User Account Control: User Account Control: User Account Control: User Account Control: User Account Control: User Account Admin Approval Mode should be enabled for all administrators.
5. Select Disabled and then click OK.

How to Use the Windows Registry to Disable UAC?

UAC can also be turned off in the Windows Registry. However, before you do so, generate a registry backup to avoid any system problems.

1. Right-click Start > Run, type regedit.exe, and press Enter on your keyboard to disable UAC via Windows Registry.
2. Take the following steps: HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
3. After that, double-click the key EnableLUA and set the value data to 0.
4. Restart your computer after saving the changes.
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The use of User Account Control (UAC) distinguishes between ordinary user accounts and administrator accounts. You get basic system security with the function, which helps protect your system from harmful programmes even if you have a security suite installed.

Was it possible for you to turn off UAC on your computer? Let us know in the comments.