Features

• Permission Prompts: Whenever an application attempts to make changes requiring administrator privileges, UAC throws up a prompt. This notification clearly states what program is requesting access and what kind of action it wants to perform. You, the user, are then given the option to approve or deny the request.
• Reduced Attack Surface: By limiting applications to standard user permissions by default, UAC makes it significantly harder for malware to wreak havoc on your system. Even if malware manages to sneak onto your device, it won’t have the same level of access to critical system files and settings to cause serious damage.
• Different Notification Levels: UAC offers a configurable security spectrum. You can choose from options like:
  • Always Notify: This provides the most robust security, prompting you for every single action requiring administrator privileges.
  • Default (Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer): This offers a good balance between security and user experience, notifying you for most significant actions.
  • Don’t notify me (not recommended): This disables UAC notifications entirely, significantly reducing security. It’s not recommended unless you’re a very experienced user who understands the risks.
• File and Registry Virtualization: UAC can create virtualized environments for files and registry entries. This means that when an application tries to write to a protected area, UAC redirects it to a separate location that doesn’t affect the core system files. This protects the original files from unauthorized modifications.
• User Account Separation: UAC works in conjunction with the concept of user accounts. By encouraging the use of standard user accounts for everyday tasks and reserving administrator accounts for specific actions, UAC limits the potential damage caused by malware or accidental user errors.