To change User Account Control (UAC) settings in Windows 11, select Start, search for UAC, and open Change User Account Control settings. Move the slider to the level you want and select OK; the default second position is recommended for most users. The Never notify position suppresses normal UAC prompts, but it is not the same as fully disabling UAC.
What UAC settings control
UAC helps prevent unauthorized changes by asking for approval or administrator credentials when an action requires elevated permissions. Administrators normally use a standard-user token until they approve an administrative operation; standard users may need to provide administrator credentials.
You need an elevation-capable account or administrator approval to change UAC. A standard user cannot independently approve their own administrative actions.
Change UAC with the slider
The Start search route is the quickest way to open the supported four-level UAC dialog. You can also use Control Panel:
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- Open Control Panel. You can search for it from Start.
- Select System and Security.
- Select Change User Account Control settings.
- Move the slider to the desired notification level.
- Select OK and provide administrator approval if prompted.
The slider has four positions:
| Setting | What happens | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Always notify | Prompts when programs try to install software or make computer changes, and when you change Windows settings. The secure desktop dims the rest of the screen while the prompt is active. | Consider this for greater scrutiny, such as frequent software testing. |
| Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer | The default. Prompts for app-driven administrative changes, but not when you directly change Windows settings. The secure desktop remains enabled. | Recommended for most users. |
| Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop) | Prompts for app-driven changes but displays the prompt on the ordinary desktop instead of the secure desktop. | Avoid unless the secure-desktop transition causes a genuine performance problem. |
| Never notify | Suppresses normal UAC prompts. Administrator elevation requests are automatically approved, while standard-user elevation requests are automatically denied. | Not recommended for routine use because it weakens protection against unwanted or malicious changes. |
Never notify is not the same as fully disabling UAC
The slider controls notification behavior. Fully disabling UAC requires disabling the policy User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode, represented by the EnableLUA registry value under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System. Microsoft warns that disabling this policy reduces operating-system security and may prevent some Universal Windows Platform apps from working.
Do not disable UAC as a routine way to handle an annoying prompt or a failing installer. UAC is one layer of Windows security, not a substitute for antivirus protection or troubleshooting the underlying application, permissions, or compatibility issue.
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Advanced UAC policy settings
Administrators can manage broader UAC policies through Local Security Policy, Group Policy, Intune, Policy CSP, or the registry. In Local Group Policy, the relevant settings are under Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options. The same path is available in Local Security Policy on Windows editions that include it.
Policies in this area control specific behaviors, including administrator and standard-user prompt behavior, installer detection, secure-desktop use, and Admin Approval Mode. Changing the secure-desktop setting only changes where prompts appear; it does not turn off UAC. Avoid changing system policy or registry values unless you administer the device and have a recovery plan.
On a managed work or school computer, Group Policy or another organization management tool may control these settings. If a setting is unavailable or reverts after you change it, contact your administrator rather than trying to bypass the policy.
Which setting should you use?
- Keep the default second slider position for ordinary use.
- Choose Always notify if you want prompts for changes made through Windows settings as well as app-driven changes.
- Avoid the no-dimming level unless the secure-desktop transition causes a specific problem.
- Avoid Never notify except for controlled troubleshooting, and restore the recommended setting afterward.
FAQ
How do I open UAC settings in Windows 11?
Select Start, search for UAC, and open Change User Account Control settings. Alternatively, use Control Panel > System and Security > Change User Account Control settings.
What is the default Windows 11 UAC setting?
The default is the second slider position: Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer. It prompts for app-driven administrative changes, but not for changes you make directly to Windows settings.
Does Never notify completely disable UAC?
No. It suppresses normal UAC prompts, automatically approves administrator elevation requests, and automatically denies standard-user elevation requests. Fully disabling UAC requires disabling the Admin Approval Mode policy.
Why can’t I change UAC settings?
You may be using a standard account without administrator approval, or an organization may manage the device’s UAC policy. Ask an administrator if you cannot save the setting or it changes back.
Does disabling the secure desktop turn off UAC?
No. It changes whether elevation prompts appear on the secure desktop or the ordinary desktop; it does not remove UAC prompts.
Should I disable UAC to fix an installer?
No. Changing UAC is not a substitute for troubleshooting an incompatible installer, missing administrator credentials, file permissions, or other application problems. Restore the recommended setting after controlled troubleshooting.
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See Microsoft’s User Account Control settings support article for the slider levels and steps, and Microsoft Learn’s UAC settings and configuration documentation for policy details.
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For most Windows 11 users, leave UAC at its default slider position. Use the slider for ordinary notification changes; reserve system policies and registry configuration for device administrators who understand the security trade-offs.
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