User Account Control in windows 7 : How it protects the computer

Well, It’s raining in Mumbai and I am in good mood of listening music. My Younger  brother just came in asking me to create a user account for him so he can play his favorite games even when I m not in home. NO problem, Let me go to user accounts control panel and create a user account for him. In start menu I typed “Create a user” to see the  control panel shortcut to create an account. I selected that and pressed {Enter}. I was expecting the control panel to come up but BOOM!! Some thing else came up..

 

 

 

As far as I know Its not the Control panel menu to create a user. My Bro asked what is this Box ? What should we Click Yes or No ? Why this is coming ? annoying..  hmmmmm let me look closer.. Oh Got it.. The title says “User Account Control” and I know I should click on YES. I explained him about this and back to enjoying  my music . Dum marooo Dum 

 

If you are a windows 7 user you must experienced this box and then hit YES. Did you bother to think what is this and why this is coming?

Let me write what I explained him so it can help my online brothers too. So here is the question

 

[stextbox id="info"]What is user account control ?[/stextbox]

 

well, It’s a bug in windows 7 which pops up every time you try to tease him Hard and without saying Yes it won’t be happy enough to do what you are attempting to do with him .

Not so …Just kidding.. let’s see what it is.

“User Account control” short name UAC is introduced with Microsoft® windows vista and then improved in windows 7. UAC is a feature which is built to prevent accidental and unauthorized changes in windows. It basically alerts and asks you before making any system wise changes in windows.

If you are an experienced user you know what is System wise changes but incase you don’t know , NO problem, I am not done yet..let me type.

Going In normal Language, In Windows there are two levels where a changes can be done :-

User level changes : A user level change will not effect other users on the computer. Like you change your wallpaper or display resolution, you change your music player settings or browser settings. These are not going to effect other users and the computer much.So your computer does not care to ask before making these changes.

System Level changes : A System level or system wise changes will effect all the users on a computer.Like if you “create a user account”, “create a partition” , “installs a program” change your IP address, Changes your computers name, make changes in control panel, or trying to using an application which needs access to core system recourses like computer management.It also includes making changes to protect folders like C:\ drive root, C:\users, C:\windows, C:\program files.

 

 

Prompting you before making a system level changes windows ensures that no malicious application effects your computer operation. Think of a virus or malicious code included with a program trying to make changes in your computer and UAC prompts you for that..Of-course you will notice something unexpected and wont allow it .There are many malicious softwares which tries to make changes in your registry and windows core files,UAC prevents the to do that.

 

When a program is running in under UAC, it runs under a limited  area on the system which does not prevent you to browse a website or using your application like photoshop, office and games but restrict you to make system level changes.

That way it prevents the computer.That’s just an example of what it does.there are many others which we will see soon.

 

[stextbox id="info"]Should I choose Yes or NO on UAC prompt ?[/stextbox]

 

That’s a big question.Whether you should choose yes or no when the UAC prompts you for some action.

The simple answer is, when you know what you are doing, Choose Yes, When you don’t know why this box came simply hit No and protect your computers.

 

[stextbox id="info"]I am lazy and ready to compromise.How can I change settings [/stextbox]

 

There are options to choose which you can change according to your needs . Look below to see the settings..

 

1. Open “User account Control settings” from start menu. See the screenshot.

 

 

 

 

 

2.It will take you to the default settings menu.. You can up and down the slider to make changes in the settings.

The settings are explained in right side as you move the slider up and down. Choose the settings which most fits you.For most of users default will be fine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[stextbox id="alert"]

That’s about the Settings.One more important note :

[/stextbox]

There are easy ways to disable this settings.But its strongly recommended to “Do not disable UAC on your computer unless you are expert and daring enough to take a risk”

If you are a windows 7 user, You should check  “Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts” out which will help you to use your computer much faster.

 

Thanks guys for reading my long story. Hope it helps you to understand how things works on your computer. I will be waiting for your feedback – right there –look  below the post -  a comment box- You see it ? oh well good then.