Windows User Account Control (UAC) protects your computer from malware by limiting unauthorized changes. Here’s how to set it up. Click on the Windows “Start” button and type “UAC” into the search bar. Open the result “Change User Account Control settings.” If the UAC is enabled on your system, a security notification will appear asking for permission to make changes. Click on “Yes.”
There are four different notification levels to choose from. “Always notify me” is the best choice for frequent software installs and unfamiliar website visits. When notified, your screen will dim, and you must either approve or deny the request. Carefully read the content of each notification dialog box before allowing changes to your computer.
“Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer” is the default setting, which does not notify you when you make changes yourself. Notifications are reserved when third-party apps and websites try to make changes. Your screen will dim, and the approval box will appear. The next setting is the same, except your desktop will not be dimmed. This setting does not have much of an advantage over the previous one unless your system takes a long time to dim before the UAC dialog box appears. Some apps can interfere with the appearance of the UAC dialog box and cause a security breach.
“Never notify me” is not recommended. This setting means that apps running will have unrestricted access to everything on your computer, and they will be able to pass information to and from anything else your system connects to, including the Internet. For example, if you’re signed in using an administrator account, apps can make changes to your computer without your knowledge. However, if you’re signed in as a standard user, changes that require administrator rights will be denied.
To change the UAC setting, use the slider bar to select an option. Click “OK” and then click “Yes” to allow the changes. You can change the setting at any time by repeating these steps. If you have any questions about Windows 11 User Account Control settings, contact us via one of the options on our support website.
