Enable or Disable User Account Control (UAC) in Windows 10, 8, or 7

User Account Control is a feature in Microsoft Windows 10, 8, and 7 that warns users with a dialog whenever a program tries to make changes to the system. The dialog will ask “Do you want to allow the following program to make changes to this computer?“, then provide details about the program name and publisher along with a selection to choose Yes or No.

For many users, this feature is just an annoyance. You can enable or disable UAC using these steps.

Windows 10 & 8

Option 1 – From Control Panel

1. Select the “Start” button, then type “User Control“. An option should appear that says “Change User Account Control settings“. Select that option.
2. A screen will appear, where you can choose any of the following selections using the vertical slider:
   • Always notify me when – Programs try to install software or make changes to my computer and when I make changes to Windows settings.
   • Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer – Don’t notify me when I make changes to Windows settings.
   • Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop) – Don’t notify me when I make changes to Windows settings.
   • Never notify me when – Programs try to install software or make changes to my computer and when I make changes to Windows settings.
     

Option 2 – From MSCONFIG

1. Hold the Windows Key down and press “R” to bring up the “Run” dialog.
2. Type “msconfig“. An option for “System Configuration” should appear. Select it.
3. Select the “Tools” tab.
4. Select “Change UAC Settings“, then select the “Launch” button.
5. You can choose one of four levels. The bottom option completely disables UAC.

Windows 7

1. Click the “Start” orb, then type “UAC” in the Start Search box.
2. The result of “Change User Account Control settings” should appear at the top of the area. Select it.
   
3. Click “Yes” if a dialog appears.
4. You can choose 1 of 4 settings. From top to bottom they are:
   • Always notify me when – Programs try to install software or make changes to my computer and when I make changes to Windows settings.
   • Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer – Don’t notify me when I make changes to Windows settings.
   • Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop) – Don’t notify me when I make changes to Windows settings.
   • Never notify me when – Programs try to install software or make changes to my computer and when I make changes to Windows settings.
     

Choose a selection, then select “OK“, and your UAC setting is set.