Administrative Rights

[dsigma6]

I tried to set up a relatives new Vista home basic PC today, but encountered a number of issues (I am completely discouraged by Vista, and will not be installing it on my PC's).

I just wanted to install some HP printer drivers. I turned off the stupid warning that occurs every time you click on something (are you sure you want to open this, even though it's quite evident that you yourself clicked on it!)

The compatibility check came up, and the Administrative rights section had a red X. The account is an administrative one, so right of the bat Vista is failing. What is the problem? IMO, Vista is insulting to users of previous Microsoft OS's.

[jdhurst]

It is about User Access Control (UAC). It seems to me that if I set myself up as Administrator (not an admin user), I could install anything I wanted to. That was RC1, not the final version. I also heard that setting up a normal user was no longer the same as an admin user when starting up (again, I am not certain). Apparently anyone but Administrator (and possibly a properly authenticated admin user) will need admin credentials to install anything (and it still might not work). Try logging on as Administrator.

Yes, the process is insulting. I understand this was in response to concerns that the average XP user (even in a number of businesses I think) are operating with admin rights because they don't know better. But the way Microsoft solved this dilemma was insulting to me as well. I can become a superuser in Linux and never have any issue, so I don't know why they (Microsoft) couldn't have thought harder about it.

[zverg]

try right clicking on the installer/app and clicking "run as administrator". I haven't needed to do that since turning off UAC but who knows, the option is still there so it must be needed sometimes.

[dfumento]

try right clicking on the installer/app and clicking "run as administrator". I haven't needed to do that since turning off UAC but who knows, the option is still there so it must be needed sometimes.

It is used for running Visual Studio and programs that also run SQL Server

[RMD]

First of all, do not turn off those "annoying prompts". You're basically disabling one of the best security features in Vista.

Those prompts are annoying at first, but once you've got your machine to the way you want it you will rarely seem them.

At any rate, if an application does not seem to be running correctly, run it as admin. Just right click the application as select "Run as Administrator".

[clarksonknights]

I wish I could get away leaving it on and individually selecting programs that need admin rights. Unfortunately, some programs still won't work with UAC turned on. Access to certain files is denied, and in particular to ModelSim, it cannot read my license file.

[warder]

The security prompts are a pain when you first setup a PC, but after everything is installed you don't often see them.

They are providing better security, so it is best to leave UAC on.

[asiafish]

You go ahead and keep it on, I find it intollerable and have it disabled. Go to www.apple.com and look at the new "Security" Mac commercial, its a riot.

[zverg]

try right clicking on the installer/app and clicking "run as administrator". I haven't needed to do that since turning off UAC but who knows, the option is still there so it must be needed sometimes.

It is used for running Visual Studio and programs that also run SQL Server

So UAC will prompt every time you start visual studio? oh man the software engineers are gonna love me when I start depoying vista on the computers at work. Our current plan is to be done with full deployment of vista and office 07 by september.

[warder]

I run VS2005 on Vista and it doesn't prompt each time it's run.

I do have the SP1 beta for Vista loaded though.

Likewise, the current SQL2005 CTP is Vista happy.

I'm sure it will only be a couple of months before these go mainstream. Might be worth waiting until then before rolling Vista out to devs.

[normanrich]

UAC can be turned off, control panel, users, advanced.
There is still an administator account, but it is hidden.
MCC, user group, you will see an administrator account, under properties, enable it.

[SafeHarbor]

I turned off UAC and remained in the only account my PC has - administrator. Now when I right-click any executable, it gives me the choice to "Run as Administrator." I've found that some things only get done if I do that, but the vast majority of stuff just works as expected - without all the silly nagging.

[normanrich]

Agreed. Microsoft will eventually modify UAC to provide a
'level of alert'. The concept is good, the virus/malware i have found on my pc eventually attempts to modify something it shouldn't.(eg explorer home page, registy, startup program list) But implementation is poor.

[stephenaron]

Is there a way to leave UAC activated, but specify that a certain program is ok to run everytime, without being asked EVERY time??