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Enable or Disable User Account Control (UAC) in Windows

Mitch BartlettFebruary 27, 2023 Comments (16)
Win7 User Account Control settings

User Account Control is a feature in Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 that warns users with a dialog whenever a program tries to make changes to the system. The dialog will ask “Do you want to allow the following program to make changes to this computer?“, then provide details about the program name and publisher along with a selection to choose Yes or No.

Example of a UAC message

For many users, this feature is just an annoyance. You can enable or disable UAC using these steps.


Contents

  • 1 Windows 11, 10 & 8
      • 1.0.1 Option 1 – From Control Panel
  • 2 From MSCONFIG
  • 3 Windows 7

Windows 11, 10 & 8

Option 1 – From Control Panel

  1. Select the “Start” button, then type “User Control“. An option should appear that says “Change User Account Control settings“. Select that option.
  2. A screen will appear, where you can choose any of the following selections using the vertical slider:
    • Always notify me when – Programs try to install software or make changes to my computer and when I make changes to Windows settings.
    • Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer – Don’t notify me when I make changes to Windows settings.
    • Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop) – Don’t notify me when I make changes to Windows settings.
    • Never notify me when – Programs try to install software or make changes to my computer and when I make changes to Windows settings.
      User Account Control Settings window in Windows 8

From MSCONFIG

  1. Hold the Windows Key down and press “R” to bring up the “Run” dialog.
  2. Type “msconfig“. An option for “System Configuration” should appear. Select it.
  3. Select the “Tools” tab.
  4. Select “Change UAC Settings“, then select the “Launch” button.
  5. You can choose one of four levels. The bottom option completely disables UAC.

Windows 7

  1. Click the “Start” orb, then type “UAC” in the Start Search box.
  2. The result of “Change User Account Control settings” should appear at the top of the area. Select it.
    Win7 accessing UAC setting
  3. Click “Yes” if a dialog appears.
  4. You can choose 1 of 4 settings. From top to bottom they are:
    • Always notify me when – Programs try to install software or make changes to my computer and when I make changes to Windows settings.
    • Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer – Don’t notify me when I make changes to Windows settings.
    • Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop) – Don’t notify me when I make changes to Windows settings.
    • Never notify me when – Programs try to install software or make changes to my computer and when I make changes to Windows settings.
      Win7 User Account Control settings

Choose a selection, then select “OK“, and your UAC setting is set.


I hope this post has helped you how to control the UAC settings in Microsoft Windows. Have questions or comments? Drop one in the comments section below.

Categories: Windows

Author Mitch Bartlett

Through my career that spans over 20 years I have become an expert in Microsoft Systems Administration, Android, and macOS. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful knowledgebase for everyone.

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Comments

  1. cc says:
    September 26, 2021 at 2:23 pm

    it worked

  2. Cynthia Pacheco says:
    January 29, 2021 at 4:28 pm

    I do not get a screen for ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers, just a blank screen. I am going to have to uninstall a game because I can’t update the game and I can’t play the game until I do update it. It keeps telling me I don’t have enough space and when I look there, I have plenty of space! I always have trouble with updates on this game (Seeker Notes) anyway. I just wish I don’t get any more updates from Mytona.

  3. True North says:
    November 5, 2020 at 1:12 pm

    I think people are forgetting that this may have to be done as administrator
    they can log in and change their user to admin account for a short while and then change back to normal
    for best safety against virus/trojan attacks you should always use normal login in every day use and not be logged in as administrator or have your normal every day user set to admin priviliges

  4. Justin says:
    July 12, 2020 at 10:57 am

    When I try to do this it doesn’t allow me to press yes please I need help very fast

  5. Justin says:
    July 12, 2020 at 10:56 am

    When I try to do this it doesn’t allow me to press yes

  6. jenny johnson says:
    April 18, 2020 at 8:44 pm

    When I try to go to user control I get the same windows error saying I may not have permission to do this.

  7. jerome johnson says:
    April 2, 2018 at 6:29 pm

    I do not understand this

  8. livish says:
    January 19, 2018 at 6:57 am

    it’s working

  9. Robert Ferguson says:
    November 26, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    Posts identified my problem – unable to Type YES in greyed box when asked if I want to make changes …”.
    Unfortunately no answers given as how to resolve this problem.

  10. nirajan says:
    October 19, 2017 at 10:46 am

    when i tried try to open user contril setting it ask password but i can’t put passwrod

  11. Dany Metta says:
    July 4, 2017 at 7:25 pm

    I am having a serious issue with the UAC on windows 7. I am having the message “do you want to let the following program…” but my yes button is greyed. I tried the “user account control settings” and change “your account type” but it didn’t work. I also typed the following command prompt on cmd “net user administrator / active:yes” and I still get nothing. The problem all started when I went on computer management/Users/check boxed account is disabled for administrator and another account.an someone get me a hand here? Thank you

  12. Louise Waldrop says:
    June 5, 2017 at 1:47 pm

    I am having the same problem with “do you want to allow………”. This has just recently started showing up on my PC. Mine asks “do you want to allow Google app to make changes…….” I do not have a Google app, I only use Google search and Gmail. I have Windows 10 Creators Update. Could this be another problem caused by the Creators Update?

  13. Richard says:
    April 4, 2017 at 2:08 am

    Thanks for the reply. I have tried your instructions but still the same results. ” Do you want to allow this app ………….etc ” with only the no button option. It is happening with all I try to launch.

  14. Richard says:
    April 4, 2017 at 1:30 am

    Tried all the tips I can find with zero results. Try to run apps/mscconfig/command prompt admin etc.
    I always get the message ” Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device ” In the pane the is only one choice ” NO ” A window will flash up and disappear.
    Help please

  15. Dave says:
    July 12, 2016 at 10:36 pm

    There are not wholesale MLS Jerseys Tim Duncan Retire for sale,
    but wholesale NBA equipment Tim Duncan Retire 2016 for cheap free
    shipping.

  16. mahmud says:
    March 14, 2016 at 3:33 am

    I have changed the UAC, NEVER NOTIFY to ON (other than NEVER NOTIFY) and the computer has been requested to RESTART. After RESTART, UAC setting has been changed back to the NEVER NOTIFY. Why?

    What parameter to set in my Windows group policy, to make every computer to be set default as othet then NEVER NOTIFY

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My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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Last Updated on February 27, 2023 by Mitch Bartlett