Running Windows Vista 'as an Administrator'??

Windows Vista on my notebook has only one user account, which obviously is stated to be 'the Administrator' of the system.

However, still it is possible to right-click any program and chose to 'run as administrator'. More importantly, this actually does make a difference as to what the programs are allowed to do.

Now my questions;
1] is it possible to change this such that automatically every program is run 'as administrator'? i.e. is it possible to automatically 'run Windows Vista as administrator' or something like that?
2] or is really advisable to just keep everything this protected way?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

 

You will want to turn off UAC (User Account Control) from the users area then disable constant issue message updates from the Windows Command Center. I turn it off because I do not want to be bugged and do not want to use other options, ie. remeber certain [install] programs so don't ask. To each his own.

 

Right-click on any shortcut and select Properties, click the Advanced button under the Shortcut tab to get to the Advanced Properties dialog, check Run as administrator

 

OP, just for your information, there is actually a built-in Administrator account also...but nevertheless if your account has Admin rights; Running as Administrator shouldn't make a difference in the way programs run.

 

Run as Admin is present because it relates to UAC. In an admin acc with a non Vista app, you will still need to right click as it is not an auto option that comes up. Newer apps do have this pop up and say "Do you want to run as admin".

 

All untrue. With or without UAC, Vista has a hidden built-in administrator account that has greater authorities than the pedestrian administrator that a logged on user is assigned.

 

Even though your account is an admin account, programs run in a lower-privilege sandbox by default, UNLESS one of the following applies:
- the executable file is marked as requiring elevated privileges
- Vista thinks the executable is a setup/install program that installs an application
- You right-clicked the file and chose "Run as administrator"

Running most programs in a low-privilege mode is good because:
- It protects the operating system from exploits such as buffer overflow attacks
- It makes it hard to accidently change files or settings that mess up the OS

If you aren't interested in these advantages and you're annoyed by the UAC prompts, then you can turn off UAC or set it to elevate automatically.

But... I leave it alone on my system. Once you're finished installing your software and configuring your computer the way you like it, you shouldn't really get many prompts anymore.

 

This isn't true, the builtin admin account has no more priviledges than any other account that is part of the Administrator group.

Question 1: It is possible to change this behavior. You can turn off UAC, which in essence run every program with admin privileges. This is not recommended though as it exposes your computer to unnecessary security issues.

2. The reason why the "run as administrator" option exists because Vista, by default, run programs with limited user privileges to prevent programs from making unnecessary and possibly harmful changes. Operating systems try to keep the vital parts of the OS secure by only giving programs access to areas that they absolutely need.

It is like giving a vendor only access to the building he is working in, rather than access to the whole complex. The model is known as the rule of the least privilege.

 

LINK #1

LINK #2

 

Neither one of those links show anything special about the built-in administrator account. It has the same privileges as anyone else in the administrator group. Those links just say this account exists.
Find me something the default admin account has permission to do that anyone else in the Admin group cannot do.

Well, maybe besides Safe mode defaulting you to that account?

 

A pretty old article, but still......

http://www.computerworld.com/action...ewArticleBasic&articleId=9001970&pageNumber=1

Not sure if this would satisy you, but there are some notes / info that might be useful to what you are looking for

And

http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/vista/vista_administrator_activate.htm

 

Enjoy your reading