Vista - UAC - How do I configure this to bring some sanity to my desktop?

I'm just starting to work with Vista. My profile: I am a developer, 20 years
experience in general, working with Windows for about the past decade.
Basically, I know what I am doing.

Tell me why it is a 'good thing' for me to have to confirm every time I want
to open up the Services window, or the Computer Management window (just to
cite a couple of immediately evident examples). OK, so once out of every 50
times is a mistake - big deal, I'll simply close the window. What I'm seeing
now is the opposite workflow; now every one of the 49 times I really want to
open this window, I need to answer the prompt to confirm. This is VERY
ANNOYING to say the least.

I have to believe that there's some way this can be disabled. Is there any
way of configuring a user account not to have to put up with this?

Thanks!

- Joe Geretz -

P.S. I am using Vista in order to get our product ready for Vista. However,
from what I see so far, I have absolutely *no* desire to move either myself
personally, or my team of developers at work, from Windows XP on to Vista.
What for? A cute clock? I wonder how many others are out there of the same
mindset. Microsoft, are you listening?

Hello,

There is one program you can use called TweakVista to edit UAC, and turn it
off.

Hope that helps

--

Have a nice day,

Jonathan Yaniv
Microsoft Windows LiveT Butterfly Expert

Visit the ButterflySays Blog at
http://spaces.msn.com/ButterflySays/

"Joseph Geretz" <jgeretz@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:e874JIGVHHA.3592@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> I'm just starting to work with Vista. My profile: I am a developer, 20
> years experience in general, working with Windows for about the past
> decade. Basically, I know what I am doing.
>
> Tell me why it is a 'good thing' for me to have to confirm every time I
> want to open up the Services window, or the Computer Management window
> (just to cite a couple of immediately evident examples). OK, so once out
> of every 50 times is a mistake - big deal, I'll simply close the window.
> What I'm seeing now is the opposite workflow; now every one of the 49
> times I really want to open this window, I need to answer the prompt to
> confirm. This is VERY ANNOYING to say the least.
>
> I have to believe that there's some way this can be disabled. Is there any
> way of configuring a user account not to have to put up with this?
>
> Thanks!
>
> - Joe Geretz -
>
> P.S. I am using Vista in order to get our product ready for Vista.
> However, from what I see so far, I have absolutely *no* desire to move
> either myself personally, or my team of developers at work, from Windows
> XP on to Vista. What for? A cute clock? I wonder how many others are out
> there of the same mindset. Microsoft, are you listening?
>
>

Control Panel/User Accounts <Turn User Account Control on or off>

--
Maxwell Bluemeanie
------

"Joseph Geretz" <jgeretz@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:e874JIGVHHA.3592@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> I have to believe that there's some way this can be disabled. Is there any
> way of configuring a user account not to have to put up with this?

Joseph Geretz wrote:
> I'm just starting to work with Vista. My profile: I am a developer, 20 years
> experience in general, working with Windows for about the past decade.
> Basically, I know what I am doing.
>
> Tell me why it is a 'good thing' for me to have to confirm every time I want
> to open up the Services window, or the Computer Management window (just to
> cite a couple of immediately evident examples). OK, so once out of every 50
> times is a mistake - big deal, I'll simply close the window. What I'm seeing
> now is the opposite workflow; now every one of the 49 times I really want to
> open this window, I need to answer the prompt to confirm. This is VERY
> ANNOYING to say the least.
>
> I have to believe that there's some way this can be disabled. Is there any
> way of configuring a user account not to have to put up with this?
>
> Thanks!
>
> - Joe Geretz -
>
> P.S. I am using Vista in order to get our product ready for Vista. However,
> from what I see so far, I have absolutely *no* desire to move either myself
> personally, or my team of developers at work, from Windows XP on to Vista.
> What for? A cute clock? I wonder how many others are out there of the same
> mindset. Microsoft, are you listening?
>
>
Or you can just google turn off UAC.
Here's just one.

http://www.petri.co.il/disable_uac_in_windows_vista.htm

That will work as well.

--

Have a nice day,

Jonathan Yaniv
Microsoft Windows LiveT Butterfly Expert

Visit the ButterflySays Blog at
http://spaces.msn.com/ButterflySays/

"Max" <max@home.com> wrote in message
news:Oi8evNGVHHA.4028@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Control Panel/User Accounts <Turn User Account Control on or off>
>
> --
> Maxwell Bluemeanie
> ------
>
> "Joseph Geretz" <jgeretz@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:e874JIGVHHA.3592@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> I have to believe that there's some way this can be disabled. Is there
>> any way of configuring a user account not to have to put up with this?
>

Hi,

After last discussion between Joanna Rutkowska and Mark Russinovich
(currently Microsoft) I'm really confused too, why it is so indespensible
feature ;-)

Change UAC behavior ... secpol.msc -> Security Settings -> Local
Policy -> Security Options:
UAC: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators ... - and set it on
Elevate without prompting value

Marcin Domaslawski


"Joseph Geretz" <jgeretz@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:e874JIGVHHA.3592@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> I'm just starting to work with Vista. My profile: I am a developer, 20
> years experience in general, working with Windows for about the past
> decade. Basically, I know what I am doing.
>
> Tell me why it is a 'good thing' for me to have to confirm every time I
> want to open up the Services window, or the Computer Management window
> (just to cite a couple of immediately evident examples). OK, so once out
> of every 50 times is a mistake - big deal, I'll simply close the window.
> What I'm seeing now is the opposite workflow; now every one of the 49
> times I really want to open this window, I need to answer the prompt to
> confirm. This is VERY ANNOYING to say the least.
>
> I have to believe that there's some way this can be disabled. Is there any
> way of configuring a user account not to have to put up with this?
>
> Thanks!
>
> - Joe Geretz -
>
> P.S. I am using Vista in order to get our product ready for Vista.
> However, from what I see so far, I have absolutely *no* desire to move
> either myself personally, or my team of developers at work, from Windows
> XP on to Vista. What for? A cute clock? I wonder how many others are out
> there of the same mindset. Microsoft, are you listening?
>
>

Thanks guys!

What I don't understand is, how come the OS is unable to discriminate
between a request which is rooted in a direct user interaction (i.e. mouse /
keyboard) vs a request which is emanating from some other software process.
If MS is serious about implementing security without really annoying the
user, it seems to me that making this distinction is critical.

BTW, why is one prompt deemed to be sufficiently secure? Maybe the first
prompt should be followed by a second prompt; Are you really, really sure???

Have you seen the latest concept car for 2008? When you turn the key in the
ignition, you get a prompt on the dashboard asking if you really want to
start the car. Sheeesh!

(You can tell I'm not too impressed with this new OS at first glance.
Consider our position. We have a software product which has installed and
run fine on every Windows OS from '95 through XP. But with the release of
Vista; suddenly - problems :-\ )

- Joseph Geretz -

"Marcin Domaslawski" <mila025@wp.pl> wrote in message
news:7F68AEE8-9DB1-4E37-A992-B0356A9C651B@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
>
> After last discussion between Joanna Rutkowska and Mark Russinovich
> (currently Microsoft) I'm really confused too, why it is so indespensible
> feature ;-)
>
> Change UAC behavior ... secpol.msc -> Security Settings -> Local
> Policy -> Security Options:
> UAC: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators ... - and set it
> on
> Elevate without prompting value
>
> Marcin Domaslawski
>
>
> "Joseph Geretz" <jgeretz@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:e874JIGVHHA.3592@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> I'm just starting to work with Vista. My profile: I am a developer, 20
>> years experience in general, working with Windows for about the past
>> decade. Basically, I know what I am doing.
>>
>> Tell me why it is a 'good thing' for me to have to confirm every time I
>> want to open up the Services window, or the Computer Management window
>> (just to cite a couple of immediately evident examples). OK, so once out
>> of every 50 times is a mistake - big deal, I'll simply close the window.
>> What I'm seeing now is the opposite workflow; now every one of the 49
>> times I really want to open this window, I need to answer the prompt to
>> confirm. This is VERY ANNOYING to say the least.
>>
>> I have to believe that there's some way this can be disabled. Is there
>> any way of configuring a user account not to have to put up with this?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> - Joe Geretz -
>>
>> P.S. I am using Vista in order to get our product ready for Vista.
>> However, from what I see so far, I have absolutely *no* desire to move
>> either myself personally, or my team of developers at work, from Windows
>> XP on to Vista. What for? A cute clock? I wonder how many others are out
>> there of the same mindset. Microsoft, are you listening?
>>
>>
>

I agree with you on that.

--

Have a nice day,

Jonathan Yaniv
Microsoft Windows LiveT Butterfly Expert

Visit the ButterflySays Blog at
http://spaces.msn.com/ButterflySays/

"Joseph Geretz" <jgeretz@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:eeyW$qGVHHA.480@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Thanks guys!
>
> What I don't understand is, how come the OS is unable to discriminate
> between a request which is rooted in a direct user interaction (i.e. mouse
> / keyboard) vs a request which is emanating from some other software
> process. If MS is serious about implementing security without really
> annoying the user, it seems to me that making this distinction is
> critical.
>
> BTW, why is one prompt deemed to be sufficiently secure? Maybe the first
> prompt should be followed by a second prompt; Are you really, really
> sure???
>
> Have you seen the latest concept car for 2008? When you turn the key in
> the ignition, you get a prompt on the dashboard asking if you really want
> to start the car. Sheeesh!
>
> (You can tell I'm not too impressed with this new OS at first glance.
> Consider our position. We have a software product which has installed and
> run fine on every Windows OS from '95 through XP. But with the release of
> Vista; suddenly - problems :-\ )
>
> - Joseph Geretz -
>
> "Marcin Domaslawski" <mila025@wp.pl> wrote in message
> news:7F68AEE8-9DB1-4E37-A992-B0356A9C651B@microsoft.com...
>> Hi,
>>
>> After last discussion between Joanna Rutkowska and Mark Russinovich
>> (currently Microsoft) I'm really confused too, why it is so indespensible
>> feature ;-)
>>
>> Change UAC behavior ... secpol.msc -> Security Settings -> Local
>> Policy -> Security Options:
>> UAC: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators ... - and set it
>> on
>> Elevate without prompting value
>>
>> Marcin Domaslawski
>>
>>
>> "Joseph Geretz" <jgeretz@nospam.com> wrote in message
>> news:e874JIGVHHA.3592@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>> I'm just starting to work with Vista. My profile: I am a developer, 20
>>> years experience in general, working with Windows for about the past
>>> decade. Basically, I know what I am doing.
>>>
>>> Tell me why it is a 'good thing' for me to have to confirm every time I
>>> want to open up the Services window, or the Computer Management window
>>> (just to cite a couple of immediately evident examples). OK, so once out
>>> of every 50 times is a mistake - big deal, I'll simply close the window.
>>> What I'm seeing now is the opposite workflow; now every one of the 49
>>> times I really want to open this window, I need to answer the prompt to
>>> confirm. This is VERY ANNOYING to say the least.
>>>
>>> I have to believe that there's some way this can be disabled. Is there
>>> any way of configuring a user account not to have to put up with this?
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> - Joe Geretz -
>>>
>>> P.S. I am using Vista in order to get our product ready for Vista.
>>> However, from what I see so far, I have absolutely *no* desire to move
>>> either myself personally, or my team of developers at work, from Windows
>>> XP on to Vista. What for? A cute clock? I wonder how many others are out
>>> there of the same mindset. Microsoft, are you listening?
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

Why 'first glance'? This OS has been released since November. It was in
beta for much long than that. Supposedly the UAC screen is a special
environment just as the Ctrl-Alt-Del attention key sequence in that Windows
knows it is going directly to the keyboard and mouse and not a hook that
could be faking input.

"Joseph Geretz" <jgeretz@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:eeyW$qGVHHA.480@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Thanks guys!
>
> What I don't understand is, how come the OS is unable to discriminate
> between a request which is rooted in a direct user interaction (i.e. mouse
> / keyboard) vs a request which is emanating from some other software
> process. If MS is serious about implementing security without really
> annoying the user, it seems to me that making this distinction is
> critical.
>
> BTW, why is one prompt deemed to be sufficiently secure? Maybe the first
> prompt should be followed by a second prompt; Are you really, really
> sure???
>
> Have you seen the latest concept car for 2008? When you turn the key in
> the ignition, you get a prompt on the dashboard asking if you really want
> to start the car. Sheeesh!
>
> (You can tell I'm not too impressed with this new OS at first glance.
> Consider our position. We have a software product which has installed and
> run fine on every Windows OS from '95 through XP. But with the release of
> Vista; suddenly - problems :-\ )
>
> - Joseph Geretz -
>
> "Marcin Domaslawski" <mila025@wp.pl> wrote in message
> news:7F68AEE8-9DB1-4E37-A992-B0356A9C651B@microsoft.com...
>> Hi,
>>
>> After last discussion between Joanna Rutkowska and Mark Russinovich
>> (currently Microsoft) I'm really confused too, why it is so indespensible
>> feature ;-)
>>
>> Change UAC behavior ... secpol.msc -> Security Settings -> Local
>> Policy -> Security Options:
>> UAC: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators ... - and set it
>> on
>> Elevate without prompting value
>>
>> Marcin Domaslawski
>>
>>
>> "Joseph Geretz" <jgeretz@nospam.com> wrote in message
>> news:e874JIGVHHA.3592@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>> I'm just starting to work with Vista. My profile: I am a developer, 20
>>> years experience in general, working with Windows for about the past
>>> decade. Basically, I know what I am doing.
>>>
>>> Tell me why it is a 'good thing' for me to have to confirm every time I
>>> want to open up the Services window, or the Computer Management window
>>> (just to cite a couple of immediately evident examples). OK, so once out
>>> of every 50 times is a mistake - big deal, I'll simply close the window.
>>> What I'm seeing now is the opposite workflow; now every one of the 49
>>> times I really want to open this window, I need to answer the prompt to
>>> confirm. This is VERY ANNOYING to say the least.
>>>
>>> I have to believe that there's some way this can be disabled. Is there
>>> any way of configuring a user account not to have to put up with this?
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> - Joe Geretz -
>>>
>>> P.S. I am using Vista in order to get our product ready for Vista.
>>> However, from what I see so far, I have absolutely *no* desire to move
>>> either myself personally, or my team of developers at work, from Windows
>>> XP on to Vista. What for? A cute clock? I wonder how many others are out
>>> there of the same mindset. Microsoft, are you listening?
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

> What I don't understand is, how come the OS is unable to discriminate
> between a request which is rooted in a direct user interaction (i.e. mouse /
> keyboard) vs a request which is emanating from some other software process.

If you're a Windows Developer you should know about Window Messages.

> If MS is serious about implementing security without really annoying the
> user, it seems to me that making this distinction is critical.

They could. And they would break all software automation tools and half the
event handlers in the world, including much of the OS.

> BTW, why is one prompt deemed to be sufficiently secure? Maybe the first
> prompt should be followed by a second prompt; Are you really, really sure???

Good idea.

> Have you seen the latest concept car for 2008? When you turn the key in the
> ignition, you get a prompt on the dashboard asking if you really want to
> start the car. Sheeesh!

When cars can be started programmatically by a guy in Uzbekistan you will
see that.


> Consider our position. We have a software product which has installed and
> run fine on every Windows OS from '95 through XP. But with the release of
> Vista; suddenly - problems :-\ )

Let me guess: your product requires admin privs?