This is a feature that users of Vista and Windows 7 have often complained about. It has happened that older software auto-runs without administrator settings. Then while running the program, some of the functionality isn’t available, meaning you have to quit and re-start the program by specifying to run it ‘as administrator’.

I’ve run into a particularly frustrating situation where a program had two separate save directories, one for when running as administrator and one for otherwise, and they were mutually exclusive. Thus a file had to be painstakingly moved from one to the other. Other programs run as a regular user and will not allow you to save files because saving files requires Administrator controls, thus causing you to lose your work.

To avoid such headaches, there are simple steps you can take to modify UAC and simplify your user experience. In order to ensure that your program is executed as administrator by default do the following.

1. Right click the executable file and select properties.
2. In the compatibility tab select the option to ‘Run as Administrator’
3. Click Apply, then OK.

Note that you need to do this for each program that gives you trouble when not run as administrator. Ever try to start a program that requires administrative controls and watch your PC lag as the window pops up? If you want to disable UAC prompts every time you want to run something or install software, it can be done in a few steps. I would not recommend doing so unless you are a relatively experienced user and you are the only person using your computer. When dealing with a family computer, be sure that everyone using the computer is savvy enough and aware of the security liabilities inherent in removing the constant prompts for UAC.

Follow these steps to modify your UAC settings:

1. Go to Start - Control Panel
2. In the search field type “UAC”
3. You should see the following search result (picture below).

1. Click on the link to enable/disable UAC prompts
2. Uncheck the box then click OK.

And there you have it. With these settings you can ensure your programs will be run with their full range of functionality and perform better thanks to removing the constant prompts to allow things to run.

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