Vista - TweakUAC - feedback?

Have seen various fixes given in this group for the annoying UAC
prompts.

They range from turning it off completely, (NOT a good idea I think), to
writing scripts etc.

Saw a post mentioning TweakUAC.

Apparently it allows you to run UAC in "quiet" mode. Keeping IE and
other things protected without having to "Run as Administrator" to
immunise Spybot S&D (for example).

See : http://www.tweak-uac.com/

Just wondered if many people have tried it and does it do what it says
on the tin?

Also, if it DOES do what it says on the tin, is it a good or a bad
thing?

"Smirnoff" <someone@xxxxxx> wrote in message
newsC1BA86F-3B13-4FD2-80FD-126204C73647@xxxxxx
Putting UAC "in quiet mode" is equivalent to having a burglar alarm
installed, turning off the siren, and then imagining that you're secure
because it says "protected mode" on the tin.

I'm sure you can work out just how secure that is.

--
Jon

> Just wondered if many people have tried it and does it do what it says onYes, it does what it says on the tin.

But, I actually LIKE the UAC prompts! The fact is, they are pretty rare in
normal use UNLESS:

1/ you are running software which doesn't comply with the XP programming
guidelines - in which case you'd be well advised to upgrade it, or.....

2/ you are performing various administrative tasks - in which case you
really should log on with an administrator account anyway, and then you just
get the confirmation prompt

The big advantage of the UAC prompts is that Vista TELLS you when something
with security implications is about to happen. TweakUAC effectively just
says "OK" to every UAC prompt. What is the use of that?

For instance, a UAC prompt when casually browsing the web should raise alarm
bells with you. You really don't want an "automatic OK"!

Seriously, I've been hammering my Vista machine for 18 months and, once I'd
got it configured as I want it, UAC prompts are very rare indeed. The only
time I ever see one these days is when I'm installing a new program.

SteveT

I have no problem with having to click 2 or 3 UAC messages. Getting rid of
UAC is like getting rid of some of your bodyguards. Sure, maybe you can
defend yourself or you think you can duck a bullet, but if you got extra help
why turn it down?

OK, so maybe that's not the best analogy.

Bottom line, if UAC is going to minimize the chances of me or someone else
of screwing up my OS or files then I'll accept the fact that my clicking
fingers might have to get a bit more exercise.

The only occassional problems I've had with UAC is importing some files from
another computer and UAC has me going through some extra steps to gain
administrative permission. UAC is one paranoid piece of software.

--
oscar

....Right click is your best friend...


"Smirnoff" wrote:

Jon - your reply is excellent - hope you do not mind if I pass it on!
Users who do not understand the "complete" function of UAC are those who
consider it "annoying".

A few facts about UAC - it's origin was predicated on the fact that the
majority of users operate in the Administrator Mode rather than as a
Standard User thereby compromising security.

There are four different colored UAC shields and background which indicae
the threat severity. UAC only apears when attempting to use/alter system
files or run programs/utilities not certified or diigtally signed. In other
words you may know, or think so, that the action you are considering is
safe, however the OS does not know.

The majority of spyware/malware/security threats gain access through the
desktop - which is way at the UAC prompt the desktop is frozen (grayed out)
until the action is approved or disapproved.

If you select allow via the UAC prompt and UAC is still not sure of the
results of the action, it creates virtual system and registry locations
(major action of Proteced Mode) just in case.

"Jon" <Email_Address@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23MBGiDu2IHA.2064@xxxxxx

UAC is a nuisance until after the last action it could have saved you from.

"Smirnoff" <someone@xxxxxx> wrote in message
newsC1BA86F-3B13-4FD2-80FD-126204C73647@xxxxxx

"AJR" <ajrjdr@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23qAdCbu2IHA.2332@xxxxxx
Thanks. Glad you appreciated it, and no problem. Spread the word bro ....
;-)

--
Jon

On Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:06:34 +0100, "Steve Thackery"
<nobody@xxxxxx> wrote:
That is a over simplification and not always true. The number of UAC
nag screens one can get depends on HOW you use your computer. For
example I have two large (750GB) external drives that have many image
or video files created while running under XP. All attempts to alter
any of these files was met with multiple UAC nag screens. Worse, it
was impossible to take ownership with all attempts on some files
having the allow options grayed out. The net result was Vista being
utterly stupid as it was designed, preventing me from
altering/deleting files I created under a prior version of Windows.

Many of these files had unique Registry keys as the owner, apparently
generated when created by the software that altered them in the first
place.I'm all ears. Tell me how deleting a desktop shortcut, nothing but a
empty link pointing to nowhere, a common UAC nag, is in any way ever a
security implication.Seriously, you just proved my point. You just said "once I'd got it
configured as I want it"... which implies you needed to do a lot of
tweaking before the majority of UAC nag screens went away. This is of
course why most people either ignore UAC nag warnings and always click
through or turn the damn crap off.

> I'm all ears. Tell me how deleting a desktop shortcut, nothing but aI've just deleted two of the desktop shortcuts on my machine. No UAC
prompts.

How on earth have you got your machine set up?
You misunderstand. I wasn't tweaking things to make UAC prompts go away.
Why would I? TweakUAC will do that. I mean I was installing applications,
setting up my data storage and backup regime, messing about with various
other settings, etc. There were some UAC prompts during that period, which
is exactly what I would expect.

Since then? Hardly any.

As for your external drives, this is obviously a real problem for you. I
don't have enough expertise to know the best way to handle that, although on
the odd occasion I've experienced it myself I was able to sort it by
claiming ownership of all the files. I don't know why you weren't able to
do that - perhaps one of our resident experts might join in at this
point.... :-)

SteveT

I can see the benefit of UAC if the user has no anti-virus and anti-spyware
software installed and no firewall operating but do you need yet another
layer of security? Most up to date security software operates in real time
and adds it's own alerts. Even Windows Defender rings the alarm bells. Are
we running our computers to demonstrate security software or to do something
useful?



~~~~


Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Smirnoff" <someone@xxxxxx> wrote in message
newsC1BA86F-3B13-4FD2-80FD-126204C73647@xxxxxx