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To change User Account Control (UAC) notifications in Windows 10 or Windows 11, open Control Panel > System and Security > Change User Account Control settings, choose a slider level, then select OK. The default level warns about apps attempting changes but does not prompt when you change Windows settings yourself. Keep UAC enabled: Microsoft says Never notify is not recommended because of security concerns.
What UAC does—and what the slider changes
User Account Control is a Windows security feature that helps prevent unauthorized changes. When an action requires administrator-level permission, UAC can ask you to approve or deny it; approval allows the action to proceed with the available elevated privileges, while declining prevents it. UAC is enabled by default. The slider controls when Windows notifies you and how it presents the prompt; fewer notifications do not make the underlying action safer. Microsoft Learn: User Account Control overview.
Change the UAC notification level
- Open Control Panel.
- Select System and Security.
- Select Change User Account Control settings.
- Move the slider to the notification level you want.
- Select OK to save. Windows may ask you to approve this change; if your account is not an administrator, an administrator may need to approve it.
This is Microsoft’s documented route for Windows 10 and Windows 11. If your Control Panel layout differs, use its search box to find Change User Account Control settings. Microsoft Support: User Account Control settings.
Choose the right slider level
The four choices differ in which changes trigger a notification and whether Windows dims the desktop and blocks other tasks until you respond. Microsoft describes the second option as the default.
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| Slider level | When Windows notifies you | Prompt behavior | Microsoft’s guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always notify | When apps try to install software or change the device, and when you change Windows settings. | Dimming and task blocking remain in effect until you respond. | Recommended for people who routinely install new software or visit unfamiliar websites. |
| Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (default) | When apps try to install software or change the computer; not when you change Windows settings yourself. | Dimming and task blocking remain in effect until you respond. | Default; suitable if you want warnings about app changes without prompts for your own Windows setting changes. |
| Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop) | App attempts to install software or change the computer; not your own Windows setting changes. | Does not dim the desktop or block other tasks while awaiting a response. | Recommended only if desktop dimming takes a long time on your computer; otherwise Microsoft advises choosing one of the options above. |
| Never notify (Disable UAC) | No notifications for app changes or your own Windows setting changes. | Does not dim the desktop or block other tasks. | Not recommended because of security concerns. |
These descriptions and recommendations are from Microsoft’s UAC settings guidance.
Use prompts carefully
Approve a UAC prompt only if you initiated or expected the program or system change it names. If you do not recognize the requested change, decline it and check what triggered it before trying again. UAC is an approval checkpoint for administrator-level actions, not a guarantee that every action or program is safe. Microsoft Learn: User Account Control overview.
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Why the slider may be unavailable
- Your account is not an administrator. UAC settings require administrative privileges. Ask an administrator to make the change or approve it.
- Your device is managed by work or school. An organization can configure UAC through Intune, Policy CSP, Group Policy, or registry policy. Contact its IT administrator rather than trying to bypass the restriction. Microsoft Learn: User Account Control settings and configuration.
For managed environments, Microsoft recommends using a standard user account and providing valid administrator credentials through the built-in UAC elevation component when administrative work is needed. Microsoft Learn: How User Account Control works.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Slider settings are not the same as administrator policies
Administrators can configure additional UAC policies, including Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode and Switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation. These controls are separate from the consumer slider; Microsoft’s policy documentation lists defaults for specific configurations, and behavior can vary by Windows release and management state. Disabling Admin Approval Mode reduces operating-system security. These policy settings are intended for administrators, not as a workaround when a device owner or organization has restricted the slider. Microsoft Learn: User Account Control settings and configuration.
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