Tip #4388 - Stop Those Permission Pop Ups
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Q:
I just started using Windows Vista a couple weeks ago and every time
I go to make a change on my computer, a little box pops up asking
me for my permission. It's getting to be very annoying. I mean, if
I didn't want to make the change, I wouldn't have tried to in the
first place! Is there any way I can turn that feature off, but still
stay safe? Please help me before I lose my mind!
A:
Just so you know, this question made me laugh
out loud! I could just sense the frustration written in the words
and even though I don't use Windows Vista all the time, I have used
it enough to know exactly what you're talking about. And yes, those
pop up messages can get under your skin if you don't know how to properly
deal with them. Well, lucky for all you Vista users, I've got exactly
what you need to keep your sanity intact. Let's get started!
First
of all, I want to make sure we're all on the same page. If you've
never used Vista before or if you're just a beginner, allow me to
explain what happens. In Windows Vista, every time you try to change
something, you download or install something new onto your computer,
etc., a little message pops up that says something like this: "A
program needs your permission to continue." You can then either
hit the Continue button to go on or the Cancel button to stop what
you're doing. Just so we're accurate, the window looks a little something
like this:
So,
you can either sit around making up your own names for that box (I'm
sure some of them are inappropriate for this newsletter!) or you can
just turn that particular feature off. All you have to do is disable
the User Account Control and you'll be all set. Here's how you do
it:
1.)
Go to Start, Control Panel.
2.)
In the search box, type in "user account."
3.)
You will then see a link that says "Turn User Account
Control (UAC) On or Off." Click that.
4.)
Next, just uncheck that box and then restart your computer.
That's
all there is to it! Once you do all of that, the annoying pop up will
be gone for good. Now, as you probably know, Microsoft highly recommends
that you do not turn this feature off. That's a given, but if you
decide to do it anyway, be aware that a little shield icon with a
red x will sit in your taskbar until you turn the feature back on.
It's just a constant reminder of the security risk you're taking.
But, you can get rid of that too!
To
do so, go to Start, Control Panel,
Security and then click on the Security Center link.
On the left hand side of that window, click on the link that says
"Change the way Security Center alerts me."
Next, choose the option of "Don't notify me and don't
display the icon (not recommended)," as shown below:
Once
you do that, those nagging pop ups will be gone forever. Of course,
this probably isn't something you should do if you're just starting
out with Windows Vista, but if you've been using it for awhile now
and if you feel comfortable with it, you can certainly give this a
try. Yes, Microsoft is there to help us, but sometimes they can really
test our patience, can't they? At least we know there are options!
~
Erin
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