Disable UAC - Windows 7

[Mattus]

@Mattus

Once again, you fail to notice the most important part like the others.........

In that time me and my friends have had no problems whatsoever with UAC turned off and comodo, peerblock, nod 32 AV installed (sorry nathenE...... I meant the "snake oil" products )

No, the important point is that you're saying that 'you and your friends' have no problems, and then you're generalising that to say that UAC isn't needed at all if you use antivirus, full stop. Can't you see the logical flaw there? If you're saying that it's not necessary then you need to make an argument supported by facts, not just 'me and my mates haven't used it and none of us have a virus'.

Evidence that isn't systematic and involves a small number of people is completely worthless. I've just asked the people in my house, and I can reveal that the Conservative Party is going to get an astonishing 100% of the vote in the next election!

Like I've said before, I (and loads of others judging by this thread) don't need/want a prompt asking me if I meant to do something. Why is that so difficult to compehend?

Well, because that fundamentally isn't the purpose of UAC? If you think that UAC exists solely to protect you from yourself when you click something you didn't mean to, then you really don't understand the technology at all.

Nobody's saying that you have an enormous chance of getting malware as soon as you switch UAC off. It's just aggravating when people give 'advice' which others might make use of, when they have no idea what they're talking about in terms of what UAC actually does.

 

[Jay794]

All quoted from wikipedia page on UAC

User Account Control (UAC) is a technology and security infrastructure introduced with Microsoft's Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems, with a more relaxed[1] version also present in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. It aims to improve the security of Microsoft Windows by limiting application software to standard user privileges until an administrator authorizes an increase or elevation. In this way, only applications trusted by the user may receive administrative privileges, and malware should be kept from compromising the operating system. In other words, a user account may have administrator privileges assigned to it, but applications that the user runs do not inherit those privileges unless they are approved beforehand or the user explicitly authorizes it.

I am aware of all the software running on my PC, because I put it there, therefore why do I want an annoying popup asking if I want to run xxxx program

There have been complaints that UAC notifications slow down various tasks on the computer such as the initial installation of software

It just asks you 3 times if you want to install xxxx program, well why wouldn't you want to install xxxx progam, isn't that why you clicked setup.exe in the first place?

A study by Sophos using 10 unique virus samples which had arrived in their labs, showed that UAC, on its default level, could not protect Windows 7 from 8 of the samples

So it isn't even that good at protecting Windows

Well, because that fundamentally isn't the purpose of UAC? If you think that UAC exists solely to protect you from yourself when you click something you didn't mean to, then you really don't understand the technology at all.

So what is UAC for if it isn't there to protect a system from inexperienced users? If I'm a system admin, I would use UAC to stop random family member from installing crapware/random toolbars, thus comprimising the system, isn't that UAC's purpose?

 

[Stuff]

Disabled from day one and never looked back

 

[KIA]

UAC only pops up to ask if I'm sure I want to make xxx change or want to open a program, the antivirus is purely to catch viruses and stuff like tracker cookies etc...

You're not describing the default behaviour. It only pops up when an application requests additional privileges. Anti-virus to catch tracking cookies? Try disabling third-party cookies in your browser.

UAC pops up even when I change my password, open device manager etc... and there's just no need for it

You must have changed the default setting. "Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop)" is the sweet spot.

My system is running fine, I disabled UAC for the pure and simple reason that its annoying being asked if I want to do something, like I said, I click on it, I want it to open, don't ask me 3 times if I'm sure.

One prompt. You're demonstrating your lack of knowledge about the way UAC works. If you care about security, you should always want to know when an application is not content with running under a standard user account.

I've had my current system since Christmas and never run into any issues since turning off UAC, this is just another page file arguement all over again lol

So what? One dodgy executable and your system will be 0wned. Don't expect an anti-virus product to save you.

 

[Jay794]

Well you've still failed to convince me to turn it on. Like myself and Nexus have said, we both run our systems for ages without any issues having UAC off, and neither system has metaphorically burst into flames.

Can we add a poll to this thread, that would be interesting

 

[linktoinsanity]

All quoted from wikipedia page on UAC

Lost all credibility there I'm afraid. Wikipedia should never be used as a sole source of information. It can be written by anybody, including people who do not understand UAC.

It just asks you 3 times if you want to install xxxx program, well why wouldn't you want to install xxxx progam, isn't that why you clicked setup.exe in the first place?

More nonsense from you. I really hope you don't go around advising others with your computer "knowledge." UAC does not do this On Windows 7. It asks once. It was a Vista issue only, therefore this points to you never even trying it in Windiows 7, rendering your views out of date.

So it isn't even that good at protecting Windows

What samples was it they tested? If it was down to a user just clicking yes every time then it even stopping 2 samples is amazing surely?

Well you've still failed to convince me to turn it on. Like myself and Nexus have said, we both run our systems for ages without any issues having UAC off, and neither system has metaphorically burst into flames.

Personally I'm not trying to convince anyone who is dead set on turning it off. I have it on as it's just an extra level of security to protect my PC. You want it off? Leave it off, just don't come crying to us about any virus issues you may get.

Can we add a poll to this thread, that would be interesting

Finally, something we agree on.

 

[Jay794]

If you require that "extra level of security" you obviously have no faith in your own abilities or the software you use to be able to protect your system through your own usage habits, I would expect most of the people on this forum to be able to tell the difference between a dodgy "click here to download" and a legit one

 

[mrk]

A mate of mine who is also a member here got a virus a couple of weeks ago and he's not exactly a newbie either and does use UAC but didn't use an antivirus package. MSE found the virus after he installed and did a scan so if he had it installed in the first instance then MSE would have suspended it from executing any code regardless of UAC being on or off.

The damage was too great anyway and he had to reinstall Windows.

UAC is like a seat belt, you can still get hurt badly on or off if you're not running an AV.

I've always had UAC off but AV on and have never had a virus.

 

[Nexus18]

This topic is really starting to bore me!

Firstly, I have no problem with people who want/need the UAC turned on, if they feel it is the best solution and that they need it, fair enough!

However, I don't like the way that people who don't have it turned on are being questioned non stop by some users and when perfectly good explanations as to the reasons why they have it turned of are given back they then disregard that comment completely and post some typical comment, which might as well say "a stupid windows user here, don't listen to him, going to have a big problem here with viruses, haha"

I find UAC useless for the reasons stated many times by me and others. However, some people may not and will solely rely on it, which IMO is stupid, a good firewall and AV is also needed, no matter how experienced of a user you might be.

Yes it is a good form of protection, however, IMO if a user is experienced enough in windows then they will know what files to download and what files to not download, what .exe's to run and what ones to not run etc. thus making it kind of pointless in the first place and the average joes will just click yes to everything anyway thus making it completely pointless.

What I do find very shocking is that some users are convinced that AV/firewalls are useless and that only UAC is needed as I said it appears that they think UAC is the mighty security software that protects you from everything and you will never get a virus/spyware if it is used right, well maybe that is the case if you have the highest level selected and only use your PC for checking emails (not clicking on any links in them though) and browsing one forum


I just found this article (granted it appears that it is for vista, but it still does the same thing essentially as the windows 7 UAC and the same approach to it still applies as well), I personally completely agree with this:

http://www.tweak-uac.com/am-i-at-risk-if-i-disable-uac/


Also Mattus I am not just going by my usage and my friends but the majority of other people on computer related forums that say pretty much the same things (and that is more than just 2 or 3 forums).

 

[KIA]

a good firewall and AV is also needed, no matter how experienced of a user you might be

Sure, Mr Peerblock.

If you require that "extra level of security" you obviously have no faith in your own abilities or the software you use to be able to protect your system through your own usage habits, I would expect most of the people on this forum to be able to tell the difference between a dodgy "click here to download" and a legit one

This coming from a guy running anti-virus. Where is your faith?

 

[Jay794]

This coming from a guy running anti-virus. Where is your faith?

I have plenty of faith, enough faith to know that the sites I do visit do not carry any issues with viruses. I only installed Windows Security Essentials because Action Centre wouldn't shut up telling me I hadn't got an AV program, so I got one to shut it up

 

[KIA]

I have plenty of faith, enough faith to know that the sites I do visit do not carry any issues with viruses.

Sites get hacked on a regular basis and may serve up malware as a result. Files available for download on legitimate sites may be replaced with malicious binaries, as was the case with uTorrent last year. http://news.softpedia.com/news/uTorrent-com-Website-Infected-With-Scareware-221568.shtml

I only installed Windows Security Essentials because Action Centre wouldn't shut up telling me I hadn't got an AV program, so I got one to shut it up

Start Orb > Search for Action Center > Security > Turn off messages about anti virus protection

 

[Nexus18]

Sure, Mr Peerblock.

Sure thing Mr. Clueless

Stick to a kids computer, it will suit you better since you obviously aren't an experienced user:

Even you should be safe with that computer, it will give you help/assistance through every step you take, maybe one day you can come and join us "big boys"

EDIT:

Just like to point out to users who have some knowledge regarding windows/PCs in general () that peerblock is only needed if you download a lot of torrents especially if they're from public trackers otherwise you may get a nasty letter from your ISP.

 

[topdog@OC]

Learned to live with UAC under Vista, doing so now under Win7 too, just with a few less nag screens.

Hardly any apps are designed to 'play nice' with UAC though, so it's common for me to pre-create the installation folder under C:\Program Files*\ before the installer does it, and grant my own user full control over it.

That way when I run the app it still has permissions to dump whatever it wants to dump there, and other apps that play by the rules (like MS's own ones) can live in their own protected directories.

This also reduces (most of) the clutter and confusion that VirtualStore can bring with 32-bit apps.

It's no effort really. My company sadly took the easy way out of disabling UAC on the company laptops build, but I re-enabled it on mine when it was issued and it hasn't caused me any problems aside from an error dialog when I login because the network team's silly startup script wants to mess around. So added bonus, it puts a stop to that too, for the price of a click when logging in.

One thing to remember about UAC is that it's not just there to save you from the Bad Guys (tm), it's there to save you from yourself too.. I don't care how good your firewalls and anti-malware is, they won't stop you from doing something daft/accidental yourself, UAC can, even if it won't catch them all.

 

[Destination]

I have plenty of faith, enough faith to know that the sites I do visit do not carry any issues with viruses. I only installed Windows Security Essentials because Action Centre wouldn't shut up telling me I hadn't got an AV program, so I got one to shut it up

Really?
Were you aware that for a period of time the bbc iplayer site was installing nasty stuff to unprotected machines?
Are you certain all your sites will neverr cause you issues?

 

[Jay794]

I don't use iplayer on my pc, I have in on the PS3 instead.

They may cause an issue in the future, but as yet, not problems

 

[db2431]

I dont use UAC but this argument that such and such isnt needed cos I dont click exes I dont know anymore is stupid.You are far more likely these days to get a virus through your browser without you even knowing, which is why not having an antivirus these days with a realtime scanner is insane.

 

[linktoinsanity]

If you require that "extra level of security" you obviously have no faith in your own abilities or the software you use to be able to protect your system through your own usage habits, I would expect most of the people on this forum to be able to tell the difference between a dodgy "click here to download" and a legit one

Well yes. But that doesn't mean I won't make use of an EXTRA security feature that is available.

 

[bignev72]

If you know what you're doing then turn UAC off as it's just a pain.

If you don't then keep it on. However if this is the case then you probably wouldn't be on this forum

 

[NathanE]

If you're overconfident enough to think you know what you're doing then turn UAC off as its supposed uncoolness amongst your peers will just cramp your style.

If you don't then keep it on. And it is the wiser more experienced members of this forum that do this.

Fixed your post, for the benefit of the forum. FUD like yours isn't allowed here.