BleepingComputer.com: Disable Uac Dialogs Without Actually Disabling Uac

For those of you that have disabled Vista's UAC so you don't have to respond to its dialog boxes but would like to keep it running for what protection it does provide (debatable ) or at least want your Administrator account free of its dialog boxes, use the below link.

Windows Secrets Newsletter Article about UAC

There you will find instructions on how to do this.

Making such a change could be risky so use it at your own risk for those of you who choose to follow the articles directions.

Use anti-spyware/malware software regardless along with your anti-virus software to help protect yourself.

This post has been edited by Armorthane: 31 January 2008 - 07:54 PM

My interpretation of the Langa Newsletter article that you've cited is that it WILL disable UAC for the Administrator accounts. There will be no UAC protection available for those accounts - so if malware exploits them, you won't know about it. The standard user accounts will still have the elevation prompt (so will be, in effect, protected by UAC).

The normal account in Vista functions as a Standard User until it's called upon to do something that requires Administrator credentials.
If it's a Standard User account, then it asks for Adminstrator credentials (username and password) in order to perform the action.
If it's an Administrator account, then it simply asks for permission (without the need to enter credentials) in order to perform the action.

Without UAC, this elevation will be automatic. If malware exploits it, it will install and you won't know about it. Yes, UAC is a PITA - but getting infected is more of a PITA. Even if it only stops one type of malware - wouldn't it be worth it?