How to Modify UAC (User Account Control) Settings

Last Updated: May 12, 2021 Tested

UAC (User Account Control) is a security feature in Windows that prevents programs from getting administrator access without your permission. Although it keeps your computer secure, it's also quite annoying to see it every time some change is made to your Windows computer. But did you know there's a way to disable UAC (it's not a good idea, but it is possible), and even remove the dimming? Also, believe it or not, you can make it even more annoying (this is the most secure option though). If you think that you want to make one of these changes, then read the article below for step-by-step instructions.

Note: You need administrator permissions to make the changes described in this article.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:
Enable Always Notify

Enabling always notify will set UAC to prompt you whenever you make changes as well as when programs make changes. This setting is the most secure, but it can be annoying.

1
Open the User Account Control settings. Type User Account Control into the search bar and then click the first result.
2
Drag the slider up to the top. Then, click OK, and then click Yes on the UAC pop-up.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:
Disable Screen Dimming

The dimmer screen is called the secure desktop, and it prevents other programs from interacting or modifying the screen. Disabling this feature will reduce the security of your computer since other programs will be able to modify the UAC prompt. It should only be considered if your computer takes a long time to display the UAC dialog. Keep this in mind if you chose this setting.

1
Open the User Account Control settings. Type User Account Control into the search bar to search for User Account Control settings. The search bar is in the start menu or at the bottom left or your screen next to the start button
.
2
Disable desktop dimming. In the User Account Control Settings window, drag the slider to the second level and click OK.
3
Allow the settings change to occur. In the User Account Control dialog that appears, click Yes.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:
Disable UAC

Warning: This will reduce the security of your computer and could allow viruses to infect it. It may also cause issues with some programs. Disable UAC at your own risk!

1
Open the Start
menu. Click the Start button
located at the bottom-left of the screen.
- Alternatively, you can press the Windows key (either
  or
  ) on your keyboard.
2
Search for UAC settings. Type User Account Control into the search bar to search for the User Account Control settings, and click the first result.
3
Drag the slider all the way down. Then click OK.
4
Click Yes in the User Account Control dialog that appears.
5
Open the Start menu
again.
6
Restart your computer. Click the power
icon. A context menu that provides multiple different power options will appear.
- The icon is right above the Start
  button. It appears as circle with a vertical line towards the top of it.
7
Click Restart. Once your computer restarts, User Account Control will be disabled.

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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:
Restore UAC to the Default Setting

1
Click on the Start button
.
2
Type User Account Control into the search bar to search. Then, click on the first result.
3
Drag the slider to the second from the top position. It has two bold dashes next to it (- -).
4
Click OK.
5
Click Yes on the UAC pop-up. This will reset UAC back to the default setting.

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Warnings

Never notify will disable UAC completely. Although this may sound good, it will significantly reduce the security of your computer. And you never know, you may get a virus one day that UAC could have prevented if it wasn't disabled.

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Disabling dimming may be a good idea if your computer takes a long time to display UAC, but it also reduces the security of your computer because other programs will be able to modify the UAC dialog. Keep this in mind if you choose this setting.

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