Is an account that has the least amount of user rights and privileges required to perform most basic tasks. An administrator account can perform any action on the system.

Regardless of the user account type, the system first attempts to perform any action using standard user privileges. If standard user rights are not sufficient to perform a task, UAC requests privilege elevation:

• The standard user is prompted to provide administrator user credentials (username and password). This process is referred to as Prompt for credentials.
• The administrator user is asked whether the requested task should be allowed. Because the administrator has already logged on with an administrator username and password, this is a simple Continue or Cancel question. This process is referred to as Prompt for consent.

Are typically indicated in the interface with a shield.

With the Secure Desktop, the desktop and all active applications are darkened, and the prompt appears over the shaded desktop. You must respond to the prompt before you can continue with the requested operation or return to the desktop.

The prompt is still shown, but the desktop is not dimmed (or locked), allowing you to work with the desktop without responding to the prompt.

• Go to User Accounts in the Control Panel.
• In Windows 7, you can also go to System and Security in the Control Panel, then use the link under the Action Center.
• For Windows Vista, you can turn UAC on or off through the Control Panel. For Windows 7, you move a slider to customize when you are prompted.

When configured to always notify:

• Notification occurs when programs make changes
• Notification occurs when you make changes
• The desktop is dimmed (Secure Desktop is enabled)

When configured to notify for program changes:

• Notification occurs when programs make changes
• Notification does not occur when you make changes
• The desktop is dimmed (Secure Desktop is enabled)

This is the default setting for Windows 7.

When configured to notify for program changes without dimming the desktop:

• Notification occurs when programs make changes
• Notification does not occur when you make changes
• The desktop is not dimmed (Secure Desktop is disabled)

This setting is recommended only if it takes a long time to dim the desktop.

Settings for UAC in Windows 7 are:

Never notify

When configured to never notify, UAC is disabled. No notification occurs and the Secure Desktop is disabled.

If you disable UAC (or configure UAC to Never notify), the system no longer prompts when you or a program makes changes that require administrative privileges. This is not a secure configuration, and could expose your computer to attacks. If you disable the UAC prompts, you should be careful about programs that you run because they'll have the same access to your computer as you do.

You must restart the computer to apply the changes. Other changes (such as changing the prompt behavior) can be applied without restarting.

For example, use the Local Security Policy to disable the Secure Desktop when using Windows Vista.