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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11UAC is enabled by default in Windows 10 and Windows 11, and configuring it requires administrator privileges. For ordinary adjustments, use the Control Panel slider; disabling UAC entirely reduces security and is not recommended.
Use the Registry, Local Security Policy, or Group Policy only when you need to change the system-wide setting. A restart is required after changing the system-level EnableLUA value.
What the UAC settings control
UAC lets people use most applications with a standard user token and request elevated privileges when an operation needs them. Depending on the account and setting, Windows asks for approval or administrator credentials.
Windows provides four UAC slider positions:
| Setting | What happens |
|---|---|
| Always notify | Prompts for program installations, system changes, and Windows settings changes. Other tasks are frozen until you respond. |
| Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (default) | Prompts for app installations and computer changes, but not changes you make directly to Windows settings. Other tasks are frozen. |
| Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop) | Uses the same notification scope as the default, but does not use the secure desktop for the prompt. |
| Never notify (Disable UAC) | Does not notify you about program or Windows-settings changes and does not freeze other tasks. Microsoft does not recommend this option because of security concerns. |
Change UAC with Control Panel
This is the usual way to adjust prompts without editing system policy directly.
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- Open Control Panel. You can search for it from the Start menu.
- Select System and Security.
- Select Change User Account Control settings.
- Move the slider to the desired level.
- Select OK and approve the prompt if Windows requests administrator credentials.
The second position from the top is the default. Choose Always notify for more prompting. Selecting Never notify disables UAC; it does not merely hide pop-ups.
Disable or enable UAC with Local Security Policy
The system-wide policy is User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode. Disabling it disables Admin Approval Mode and related UAC policy behavior.
- Press Windows key + R, type secpol.msc, and press Enter.
- Open Local Policies, then select Security Options.
- Open User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode.
- Select Disabled to disable Admin Approval Mode, or Enabled to restore it.
- Select OK. Restart Windows if prompted or if the change does not take effect.
Windows Security reports reduced overall operating-system security when this policy is disabled. Local Security Policy is not available in every Windows edition. If secpol.msc is unavailable, use Control Panel or the Registry method. If the setting cannot be changed, a Group Policy Object may control it.
Configure UAC with Group Policy
On editions that include Local Group Policy Editor, you can configure the same policy:
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- Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
- Go to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options.
- Open User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode.
- Set it to Disabled or Enabled.
- Select OK, then restart if necessary.
An organization or domain administrator may enforce this setting. A domain policy change takes effect at the next policy refresh, though some security-policy changes require a restart. Contact your administrator if a local change is blocked or overwritten.
Disable or enable UAC in the Registry
The EnableLUA DWORD is in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System.
- 1 — UAC enabled
- 0 — UAC disabled
To change it with Registry Editor:
- Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Approve the administrator prompt.
- Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System.
- Double-click EnableLUA.
- Enter 0 to disable UAC or 1 to enable it.
- Select OK and restart Windows.
Back up the relevant Registry key before editing. Changing this value under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE requires an elevated process.
Use an elevated Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as administrator: search for cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Run the appropriate command:
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- To disable UAC: reg.exe ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v EnableLUA /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
- To enable UAC: reg.exe ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v EnableLUA /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
Restart Windows after either command. A non-elevated Command Prompt may return an access-denied error because the setting is under HKLM.
PowerShell alternative
Open PowerShell with Run as administrator, then run one of these commands:
- To disable UAC: Set-ItemProperty -Path ‘HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System’ -Name EnableLUA -Type DWord -Value 0
- To enable UAC: Set-ItemProperty -Path ‘HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System’ -Name EnableLUA -Type DWord -Value 1
Restart Windows after changing the value.
UAC settings that do not disable UAC
Several nearby policies are often mistaken for the system-wide UAC switch:
| Policy | What it actually changes |
|---|---|
| Switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation | Controls where the prompt appears. Disabling it does not disable UAC. |
| Detect application installations and prompt for elevation | Controls automatic detection and elevation prompts for application-installation packages. Other UAC behavior remains active. |
| Admin Approval Mode for the built-in Administrator account | Controls the built-in Administrator account only, not all administrators. |
| Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin Approval Mode | Controls how administrators are prompted. Changing it does not turn off Admin Approval Mode. |
The system-wide setting is Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode, represented by the Registry value EnableLUA.
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Why you may be unable to change UAC
- You use a standard account: UAC configuration requires administrator privileges. Provide valid administrator credentials when prompted.
- The computer is managed by an organization: A domain or organizational Group Policy may override local settings. Contact the administrator.
- The setting reverts: A policy refresh can restore the organization’s configured value. Some security-policy changes require a restart.
- A command returns access denied: Open Command Prompt or PowerShell with Run as administrator.
- Windows behaves the same after a Registry change: Restart the computer; the system-level EnableLUA state requires a restart to take effect.
Recommended setting
For most personal computers, leave UAC at the default position: Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (default). If you want stronger prompting, choose Always notify.
Only disable UAC temporarily when a specific, trusted compatibility task requires it, and re-enable it afterward. Disabling Admin Approval Mode or setting EnableLUA to 0 removes an important protection against unauthorized system changes.
Sources: Microsoft Support: User Account Control settings and Microsoft Learn: UAC settings and configuration.
FAQ
Does setting UAC to Never notify disable UAC?
Yes. Microsoft labels the lowest slider position “Never notify (Disable UAC).” The equivalent system setting is EnableLUA=0, which disables Admin Approval Mode and reduces security.
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- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
Can a standard user disable UAC?
No. Configuration requires administrator privileges. A standard user must provide valid administrator credentials when Windows displays an elevation prompt.
Do I need to restart after changing UAC?
A restart is required after changing the system-level EnableLUA value. Restart if Windows continues using the previous behavior after other changes.
Does disabling the secure desktop turn off UAC?
No. It changes where the elevation prompt appears. UAC remains enabled and continues to control elevation.
Why is the UAC setting greyed out or blocked?
A domain or organizational Group Policy Object may control the setting. Local changes can be inaccessible or overwritten when the managed policy refreshes.
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Use HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\EnableLUA. Set the DWORD to 1 to enable UAC or 0 to disable it, then restart Windows.
The Bottom Line
Use Control Panel > System and Security > Change User Account Control settings for normal adjustments. Keep UAC at its default or choose Always notify for stronger protection. The system-wide policy is User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode, and its Registry value is EnableLUA. Re-enable UAC and restart Windows when a temporary task is complete.
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