Can someone explain UAC's real world benefits and cons to?
43 replies, posted
I know Windows 7 made them less annoying, but I heard it messes up your program file directories making backups or lots of game modding a pain.
I have had UAC disabled since Vista, should I reconsider this?
Its major benefit is not allowing malicious software to automatically run at admin privileges. Even if they run silently UAC will still notify you of them. The Secured Desktop (default) when UAC runs (which is the dark screen and the Aero Basic dialog) prevents malicious software from inputting "Yes" into the prompt which would bypass user input on whether they wanted it to run or not.
It's been proven to prevent rootkits.
[QUOTE=Sam Za Nemesis;32413079]UAC in a nutshell is the Vista/7/8's Equivalent of *nix sudo, You should re-enable it, but I recommend you to disable the "Dimming" option[/QUOTE]
Also, I heard it moves certain program files out of their directories, and can conflict greatly with some mods or installers, Here's what I mean:
[url]http://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?/topic/187117-vista-64-bit-uacprogram-files-and-fallout-3/[/url]
[url]http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f217/surprise-windows-7-uac-madness-cant-edit-program-files-x86-folder-435099.html[/url]
I am constantly editing files in the programs files (x86) folder, so will I have issues?
[editline]21st September 2011[/editline]
Also this:
[url]http://www.blackbaudknowhow.com/tech-tips/windows-7-user-account-control-uac-%E2%80%93-what-is-it.htm[/url]
[QUOTE=The Baconator;32416095]Also, I heard it moves certain program files out of their directories, and can conflict greatly with some mods or installers, Here's what I mean:
[url]http://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?/topic/187117-vista-64-bit-uacprogram-files-and-fallout-3/[/url]
[url]http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f217/surprise-windows-7-uac-madness-cant-edit-program-files-x86-folder-435099.html[/url]
I am constantly editing files in the programs files (x86) folder, so will I have issues?
[editline]21st September 2011[/editline]
Also this:
[url]http://www.blackbaudknowhow.com/tech-tips/windows-7-user-account-control-uac-%E2%80%93-what-is-it.htm[/url][/QUOTE]
You won't have any problems modifying anything in those directories. Having used Windows 7 since release there hasn't been any UAC related problems that couldn't be solved by running as administrator. You can also set specific applications to always run as admin in case you have a troublesome app.
UAC is also useful when you simply open the wrong program...can close it before it opens. I don't get why people get so frustrated by clicking "yes" to open a program, the added security is awesome.
[QUOTE=Jimmy422;32418674]UAC is also useful when you simply open the wrong program...can close it before it opens. I don't get why people get so frustrated by clicking "yes" to open a program, the added security is awesome.[/QUOTE]
I tried to run an app, it said I needed to run it in admin mode. wtf, at least prompt me with the y/n, not just tell me to run it again via right click->'run as admin'.
Plus every other program seems to need it.
It's also to stop other users from installing random programs on your computer.
[QUOTE=GooeyChicken;32418921]It's also to stop other users from installing random programs on your computer.[/QUOTE]
Well I haven't had another user account my rig for for years.
[QUOTE=The Baconator;32418809]I tried to run an app, it said I needed to run it in admin mode. wtf, at least prompt me with the y/n, not just tell me to run it again via right click->'run as admin'.
Plus every other program seems to need it.[/QUOTE]I don't think yours is set up correctly. Mine always asks "are you sure you want to run this program?" Y/n? I've never had it flat out say "You need to run as admin".
And a vast majority of programs SHOULDN'T need it. Except for programs that are installing stuff, accessing sensors, etc.
Do you need to have a password for UAC to do anything?
[QUOTE=The Baconator;32420938]Do you need to have a password for UAC to do anything?[/QUOTE]
Not unless you set it to ask a password. Or are a standard user.
[QUOTE=Jimmy422;32418674]UAC is also useful when you simply open the wrong program...can close it before it opens. I don't get why people get so frustrated by clicking "yes" to open a program, the added security is awesome.[/QUOTE]
Because it's one more step to open that program, one more hoop to jump through to get to doing what I want to do. The last time I used UAC was back in Vista, and I understand it's been made less annoying in Windows 7, so I guess I'll give it a try; but I can see myself disabling it again.
Also, I remember Vista took forever to display the UAC prompt if you were trying to run a large file (like an installer), which was so annoying.
Basically, UAC is good for you if you are an idiot and don't know how to computer, otherwise just use common sense.
Compatibility Files
Also you shouldn't be doing day to day shit as an admin, which is another thing UAC is useful for.
Admin on Windows is like root on Linux.
I do everything as an admin. I don't want my OS holding me back from what I want to do. I am the user, and I need total control of the system. Not the other way around.
Didn't also having UAC on sandbox a number of locations as well as IE? Adding an extra security layer as well.
[QUOTE=P320;32609256]I do everything as an admin. I don't want my OS holding me back from what I want to do. I am the user, and I need total control of the system. Not the other way around.[/QUOTE]
Actually it would be far smarter to only use the parts of the system that you need for your task. If you need to do something deeper than just elevate yourself. Otherwise keep low. GIves you the from protection malicious software being able to take control of your system.
Essentially the most annoying thing about the UAC in vista was the fact it tended to jitter the screen, be loud and take ages. the features of it on the other hand were great. You just had "experts" recommending people who had no idea to turn it off.
[QUOTE=wraithcat;32611153]Didn't also having UAC on sandbox a number of locations as well as IE? Adding an extra security layer as well.
Actually it would be far smarter to only use the parts of the system that you need for your task. If you need to do something deeper than just elevate yourself. Otherwise keep low. GIves you the from protection malicious software being able to take control of your system.
Essentially the most annoying thing about the UAC in vista was the fact it tended to jitter the screen, be loud and take ages. the features of it on the other hand were great. You just had "experts" recommending people who had no idea to turn it off.[/QUOTE]
Vista SP0 truly was the worst with UAC dialogs.
[QUOTE=K1ngo64;32451507]Basically, UAC is good for you if you are an idiot and don't know how to computer, otherwise just use common sense.[/QUOTE]
lol the "common sense" approach to computer security is the dumbest one i've ever seen because it's practically willful ignorance
[QUOTE=Lazor;32613382]lol the "common sense" approach to computer security is the dumbest one i've ever seen because it's practically willful ignorance[/QUOTE]
Apparently all the analysts claim it's useless since "Windows is insecure by design" :rolleyes:
[QUOTE=wraithcat;32611153]Actually it would be far smarter to only use the parts of the system that you need for your task. If you need to do something deeper than just elevate yourself. Otherwise keep low. GIves you the from protection malicious software being able to take control of your system.
Essentially the most annoying thing about the UAC in vista was the fact it tended to jitter the screen, be loud and take ages. the features of it on the other hand were great. You just had "experts" recommending people who had no idea to turn it off.[/QUOTE]
I understand that mentality, and it makes sense and all... but I can't stand having to take time out of my projects getting sidetracked while trying to elevate my privileges. I'm not a dumb user, I don't allow malware on my system. I know what I'm doing at all times. I hate having to click the Run button 50,000 fucking times with every program i open. It's annoying as fuck for an OCD person like me. It wastes my time and slows me down.
[QUOTE=P320;32620659]I understand that mentality, and it makes sense and all... but I can't stand having to take time out of my projects getting sidetracked while trying to elevate my privileges. I'm not a dumb user, I don't allow malware on my system. I know what I'm doing at all times. I hate having to click the Run button 50,000 fucking times with every program i open. It's annoying as fuck for an OCD person like me. It wastes my time and slows me down.[/QUOTE]
I fucking hate permissions in Linux, mostly because all the Ubuntu or whatever distro guides always have many steps that would require elevated privileges, and they don't include giving said permissions in the guide, so I must google it, find at least 4 different methods from 4 different years all conflicting with another, and the official guide of course is confusing and much longer than the others.
With Windows I have never really had such issues, except for when I wished to delete some sys files that were accidentally misplace (must have been a previous install, they were on my slave drive).
I hate UAC on Vista. Seriously, it has fucked me all over.
Especially with Comodo. When I tried to update it the first time, they started fighting with each other and nobody won.
[QUOTE=DaMastez;32424882]Also, I remember Vista took forever to display the UAC prompt if you were trying to run a large file (like an installer), which was so annoying.[/QUOTE]
That's not Vista, that's your computer.
Yeah using it on 7, it's not nearly as bad as Vista was.
We keep it enabled for business machines, but disable the secure desktop. It's very handy if you want to do something without switching user.
The most annoying thing is it downloads your entire profile to the PC when you need to run something as admin.
It helps prevents drive by downloads from auto executing without user interaction.
Why is it that even on Windows 8, some exe files have the annoying shield and Run pop-up, and some don't? I would think ALL exe files would require the security check, unless digitally signed by Microsoft. (Which can now be faked easily, by the way.)
[QUOTE=P320;32692507]Why is it that even on Windows 8, some exe files have the annoying shield and Run pop-up, and some don't? I would think ALL exe files would require the security check, unless digitally signed by Microsoft. (Which can now be faked easily, by the way.)[/QUOTE]
Wouldn't that make every time you launch an application it requires UAC prompts?
[QUOTE=The Baconator;32694140]Wouldn't that make every time you launch an application it requires UAC prompts?[/QUOTE]
It damn-near already does, and it's annoying as fuck... -_- I'm tempted to disable UAC altogether, or build a Windows 7 ISO using RT7Lite and remove the "feature" entirely.
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