Friend whining about Vista

my friend picked up a new comp and got Vista. He's whining now because every time he opens a program or tries running some software (not sure on the specifics) Vista requests his permission. ROFL.

I get annoyed when Windows asks me to confirm that I want to delete something. I can't imagine the agony of what he must be experiencing. He said he heard there's a way to turn this Vista feature off but he's having trouble finding it.

This does not sound like a user-friendly feature to me, even if it does increase security, it's way too cumbersome for me to use.

Whoever at microsoft thought this one up is far off from how I want my computer to behave.

 

It's easy enough to turn off.
http://www.petri.co.il/disable_uac_in_windows_vista.htm

 

You can easily disable UAC (user account control). Open Control Panel, type in "user account" in the search box. Among the list of results there should be a link to "Turn user account control on/off".

 

As mentioned above, it can be turned off.

Also check out this thread for a guide on how to tweak vista(also includes tips)
NBR Vista Tips and Tweaks Guide - The Ultimate Resource

 

Thx, I'll pass it along.

You guys like Vista so far? Has advantages over XP without any new negatives?

 

Great advice guys, yep just tell him how to turn it off. Don't bother to tell him that once he does this his friend may then start complaining about lost files he created or games he saved.

There is a very real issue with turning off UAC after Vista has been used for a while with UAC turned on. The problem is that Vista intercepts any file operations that attempt to write to a Program Files directory for a specific app, like when a game tries to create a saved game file for example. These sorts of file I/O requests are virtualized to a special Program Data folder instead. If you save a game, and then turn off UAC this virtualization is also turned off. So then the game can not find the saved game. This can also happen with program configuration files or anything else the application tries to store in its program files directory.

So, bottom line if your friend has had his machine for a while and done much with it you may want to help him investigate the ramifications of turning off UAC and attempt to find any files that might be in the Program Data folder so they could be put into the proper place after UAC is off. Or better yet, just tell your friend to enjoy the added security UAC provides and leave it on.

After a machine is set up and in use for a while the interventions from UAC are much less, because the average user isn't mucking about with the places UAC tries to protect all that much. Also Vista SP1 has made some changes which make UAC significantly less intrusive. Specifically one case where copying a file to a protected folder took 4 clicks in UAC now it's one.

Gary

 

Lol... Vista experience for people differs greatly. Some people totally hate while some people love it.
I'm one of the later.
For me Vista actually feels faster and more stable than XP. I enjoy the new interface immensely as well. The new search feature is very useful.
Disadvantages? Well, decreased gaming performance.

 

Thanks for the added information Scuderia...

 

Try right clicking your recycle bin and then select properties from the menu. I think you'll find a setting you'll rather enjoy disabling. And it wont suddenly and without warning cause untold files to become inaccessable.

 

The funny thing about disabling the UAC is that another pop-up comes up and reminds you how unsafe it is to turn off the UAC! Can't win.

 

Yes you can win

Go to Control Panel (Not ClassicView)>Security>Security Center.

Then, on the left hand side you'll see "Change the way Security Center alerts me". Click that, and change to the desired option.

 

My expirience with Vista is far from pleasant! Sure, the interface is pretty and it is faster... But huge problem with compatibility. Almost everything you want to install needs patches and updates. When you have them it can be still problem with program performance. "Increased security" means that your actions will be blocked if OS decides so. I installed patch recently and to run it I had to check and unblock it in 3 different options. Is it not enough that you ran program as administrator? Security is good if user is not very sure what to do. I found Vista "security" rather ... agressive. After all the OS is for user and not otherwise.

 

Just turn off UAC (User Account Control). Look at posts in this thread, they will tell you how to turn it off