User Account Control (UAC) OK to turn off?

This thing is very annoying, showing up the window YES NO every time I open some programs (such as the temperature monitor, some word processor software...). The only way to get rid of these messages is to change it to the "least secure" level, "Never notify me" when windows installs a program or making changes to settings etc. What kind of harm might be done if choosing "never notify". Is it fairly safe to turn it off?

 

bing and technet are both fairly full of authoritative articles on what UAC does.

It's not just a nag screen. It actively monitors system files, both program/dll and config data files for changes.

The bottom line is are you the ONLY person who runs your machine and if so, do you trust yourself to know the consequences of turning off an auditing process that notifies you whenever something happens at the system level.

 

Hi,

I assume, your user account is member of the admin group. Botnet operators are happy if you turn off UAC. UAC is not really designed as a security measure, but it is the last barrier. Which has been significantly lowered already.

And word processor software that is asking for admin permissions is broken and needs to be replaced by something better. Open Office perhaps.

Michael

 

I am the only one using my computer. The word processor is one that is not directly compatible with winsows 7 (it runs on XP without such nuissance). I am able to run it on windows 7 now after I selected the "compatibility" with XP. I have other small inconvenience on this as well (e.g. can't open a recently used file via the Recent accessed items), but I'm just happy that at least I can run it on windows 7 now.

So if you all have this UAC on,do you also get a lot of YES NO window messages? Every time I want to check my system temperature, I have to click YES.

 

Even more: I am prompted to enter the password of an adminuser. Perfectly okay here, I am used to work with restricted permissions. And UAC is set to "highest"

Perhaps the application can be run as service, or "planned tasks" can be abused.

Michael

 

Actually, turn it up.

 

Yes most recommend turning it up. Is there any chance you could find another temp monitor OP? What word processor are you running?

As far as UAC prompts go. I have mine set to highest (and to ask for a password) per recommendations, and receive no popups in my day to day use of Windows.

 

Thanks. But even if using another temp monitor, I suspect they get this prompt, too. The one I'm using is CUPID HW Monitor. The word processor is corel wordperfect.

 

I get a prompt any time I open up Core Temp. It's a one time prompt that lasts until I restart.

Who cares?

 

Well, frankly, sometimes those prompts are annoying. I have UAC set to the maximum, though, and bypass the UAC issues by using Task Scheduler to automatically start Core Temp at user logon, with administrative privileges (the latest version of Core Temp does this automatically). You can do the same with HW Monitor.

 

What version of WordPerfect are you using? I would go out to Corel's site and see if they have a Shim. You could also try the Application Compatability Toolkit but that is a Dev Product.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/security-anti-virus-software/565882-uac.html
Some great points are made here esp. by Pirx and Hungry_Man They have changed my mind, I used to have it at lowest setting, now I use the highest

 

Or, if you're not married to WordPerfect, try Open/Libre Office. It's been a while since I loaded them up but I think they play well with UAC.

Free downloads, free to use. They read/write loads of formats including WordPerfect/Corel formats.

 

I personally keep UAC at the default level. I do however use a standard user account for day to day tasks and only use the admin account when i need to install something or make modifications to the system.

My preferred security method still remains Brain 1.0.

 

I tried that, but when it's triggered at logon, I still need to answer YES NO in the prompted window, same thing.

It's suite 8, rather old, but perhaps the best, in terms of neatness and ease of use.

Interesting thread. Will read through all the posts...

Thanks for bringing this to attention. I've never heard of this, but sounds like a nice thing to have. I can't stand MS Word. Have used WordPerfect for many years and like it the best. It's good to know there is this free Libre/Open Office.

 

Back when WP8 was new, i didn't like office, WP8 was just so much better. I didn't like office 2003 that much either, but i've gotten used to 2007 and find it suitable enough. There are some things that i find were easier in WP, but i don't regret the transition to office 2007, especially since my university uses it.

Open Office is also a great alternative if you absolutely loathe MS Office. I just wish i could move the ribbon menu on the side in office, then it would be much better on a wide screen. RIP 16:10 lcds .

 

MS Word is one of the most annoying things on earth. I have yet to hear anyone say anything in WP is annoying.

 

I just use Google Docs.

 

I haven't tried the latest releases, but i'm not certain i would enjoy WP8 like i did back when i was using it. There are a few things that annoy me a bit in office 2007, but they are minor gripes i can live with. Since my whole university is on MS Office anyways, it makes things easier to use it. I remember the days of office 1997 though and just thinking about it makes me cringe.

 

...except for it triggering UAC prompts...

 

That's annoyance of the Windows 7. I never had problem with XP.

The only reason I install MS Word is to read the documents sent to me by others (who are unaware of a better word processor than Word ). Most annoying about Word is the unexpected, uncontrollable formatting. Disabling the autoformatting doesn't solve all the problems. Word makes more trouble than convenience.

 

I used to use WordPerfect 5.1(which is a DOS program and was above and beyond Word the DOS version) but even since Windows, MS Word rule the WP market, partly because it is bundled with Excel so becoming a corporate standard.

 

You never had the problem in XP because you were running as an administrator and Wordperfect, like many other apps of its time, was coded poorly assuming you did have admin rights. So technically the issue really is with Wordperfect.

Gary

 

Agreed. But comparing to the annoyance of MS Word and the disaster it can cause (such as messing up an important document without your being aware), the UAC prompt is very benign

 

UAC is the same annoyance that everyone else in the world puts up with. Sudo anyone?

For example, there are certain systems at work that aren't connected to the Internet. Sure, troubleshooting is a pain as you got your laptop's internet browser open on one screen and and trying to duplicate steps or retype a script. But that's the price you pay for some piece of mind.

 

Every major OS has privilege escalation just like UAC. It was hilariously stupid when Apple came out insulting UAC in their "I'm a Mac" commercials since they have literally the same exact method of security.

But that's apple.