Vista - IE and the protected zone

When online in IE, bottom toolbar says Internet protected mode OFF, when I double click on that, it opens internet properties, where there is already a ck mark in the box that says ENABLE PROTECTION MODE (REQUIRES A RESTART OF IE), but I restart IE, still unprotected message.
OK, then try rebooting pc...darn, still unprotected. Ok, uncheck the box, click apply, then ok, restart pc, then go into internet properties and ck the box all over again...and on and on and on...
So, how exactly is this SUPPOSED to work ?

Did you disable UAC? If UAC is disabled, Protected Mode is turned OFF.

Do you run IE as administrator? Protected Mode is turned off when IE is launched by right clicking on the IE icon and selecting "Run as administrator" or when IE is launched with administrative privileges from another application.

The same occurs when browsing local pages.

yup, uac turned off, and like it that way LOL.Thx for the response.

You like less security and more chances of drive-by-downlaod spyware??? Why dont you have UAC turned on and set to automatic? At least your system is secure that way...

absolutely ! I do not like the constant nags at what seems like every click of my mouse. I have spyware other than windows too, and am confident there is nothing on my pc I need to worry about someone else seeing...I have nothing to hide.