Stop Windows Vista’s annoying “permission to continue” window

One “feature” that Microsoft added to Windows Vista is the ability to stop programs (aimed at spyware and viruses) from starting to begin with. They implemented this in the form of the User Account Control (UAC). UAC asks you whether you want a program to continue or cancel once you have clicked on it. Again, the purpose is to warn you when an unknown or unwanted program asks to start, but the message comes up repeatedly for any almost any non-Microsoft program. It wouldn’t be a big deal if the engineers would have built-in a check box that says “remember my decision”, but it doesn’t, so you have to answer the question every time you open a program.

Remember that this is a ‘security’ feature, so if you follow these instructions to stop the nag screen, you will be decreasing some of the built-in security that comes with Vista. Personally, I don’t see a problem with it as long as you keep anti-virus and anti-spyware software updated and running on your system. Also, if you use Firefox as your main browser, potential problems form this kind of activity is drastically reduced. If you still want to disable the Microsoft nag screens (UAC), read on for the steps.

1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Double-click User Accounts (or type user account in the search box)
4. Click the option that says “Turn User Account Control on or off”
5. On the next screen, uncheck the box that says “Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer
6. Click OK
7. Click Restart Now

After your computer restarts, the Windows Security shield will be red (by your system clock) and tell you that you are at risk because UAC is disabled. To disable this message, follow these steps

1. Double-click the red Windows Security shield by your clock (OR, Click Start –> Control Panel and double-click Security Center)
2. Click the “Change the way Security Center alerts me” option
3. Click the “Don’t notify me and don’t display the icon” option

You will no longer see the UAC message or any Windows Security messages, so the onus is totally on you now to keep your security up to snuff.

 

Related articles:

1. Windows 7 – 4 month report
2. Windows 7 – First Impressions
3. Deep Cleaning Temporary Files in Windows XP
4. Be careful using multiple accounts
5. Stop the Windows password screen

9 Responses to “Stop Windows Vista’s annoying “permission to continue” window”

1. adel says:

   November 27, 2009 at 6:17 am

   thanks a lot. as an xp fan i can really now say that after this tip i find vista much better thanks again

   Reply
2. Anonymous says:

   March 1, 2007 at 1:10 pm

   I haven’t used Vista as of yet and I do not plan to use it in the near future, but I wonder:

   Does that mean you have to give permission *every time* you run Firefox?

   Reply
3. Anonymous says:

   November 10, 2007 at 6:28 am

   Thanks for your help.
   Ahmed

   Reply
4. Anonymous says:

   October 30, 2007 at 12:54 am

   No, that was just asking for permission to install Firefox.

   Reply
5. Anonymous says:

   November 20, 2007 at 7:01 pm

   Thank you, God that was annoying…

   Reply
6. Anonymous says:

   February 27, 2008 at 4:34 pm

   much apprectiated

   Reply
7. Anonymous says:

   December 21, 2007 at 11:43 am

   Cheers ive been tryin 2 move files across from memory stick – had to get permission for EVERY file you saved me alot of time thanks!!!

   Reply
8. Anonymous says:

   February 5, 2008 at 3:26 pm

   thanks this was very helpful and clear.

   Reply
9. Anonymous says:

   May 7, 2008 at 3:48 am

   You nailed it with the comment about the ‘remember my decision’ option. What in God’s name were Microsoft thinking by omitting this most obvious bit of code. The basics of system interface design tell you that you should design your interface to handhold users initially and then allow them to automate and disable prompts as they become more competent – this is exactly what the ZoneAlarm firewall does for example. How ironic that you can’t check a box to remember to run crap cleaner without prompting where as IE7 lets you check a box to remember the login and password details to your freakin bank account!

   MS need to wise up to this and fast – UAC is a good idea in principle but if security is a pain in the ass – people will switch it off – sure as eggs man. MS just can’t help themselves can they – give ‘em a loaded shotgun and two feet and they’ll blow a hole in each one.

   Reply