The User Account Control (or UAC) is in-built Windows protection against changes being made to the system files. You usually see the UAC prompt when you install a new software on your computer. When UAC prompt is shown, Windows 8 hides all other windows, dims the desktop background and switches to secure mode so that no malware can automatically click Yes in the UAC prompt. As anticipated by Microsoft, not all users like the default settings of the UAC. If you want to disable UAC or change its settings, then you can follow these steps :
- Press the hotkey Win + X and select Control Panel from the menu that pops up. This would open the Control Panel window. In the Control Panel window, type uac in the search box. In the search results, click/tap on Change User Account Control Settings.
- This would open the User Account Control Settings window. Here you can select a desired setting by dragging the slider up and down. There are four different settings. At the bottom is Never Notify which disables UAC. One step up is Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop) – this setting shows the UAC prompt but does not switch to the secure desktop. One more step up is Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer which is the default setting and it shows the UAC prompt after switching to the secure desktop.
On the top is the setting Always notify which shows the UAC prompt both when apps try to make changes to your computer and when you try to make changes to Windows settings. This setting can drive people crazy and should not be used under normal conditions.
- After you have selected a setting, you can click on the OK button to save the changes.
The User Account Control in Windows 8 should be left to its default setting. You should customize the settings only for special requirements, for example, when you are installing drivers and other software on a fresh install of Windows. After the task is over, the UAC settings should again be changed back to default.