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[OldManDeath]

Just wanted to ask to see if anyone knows if you can tell UAC somehow to always allow specific programs to run?

On Vista, to get Joost to run you have to have UAC enabled.  However, it is such a pain in the A$$! for people that know how to protect themselves.

[Chris Rossini]

I'm sorry that I can't help you...I just wanted to point out that reading your post made me immediately think of the funny Mac commercial that I'm sure everyone here has seen. 

[Ryan Wagner]

There is a way, but you'll always receive the prompt before beginning the program. All you have to do is right-click on a shortcut and go to Properties->Compatibility and then there is the option at the bottom of the screen to always run a specific program as the administrator. Each time you start that program you will receive a UAC prompt. It's still a little annoying that I can't say "always run this as administrator without prompting", but I guess if that was possible then any malicious code would be able to turn that setting on themselves.



There is always the alternative to turn off UAC all together. I normally just turn it off when I first install Vista and keep it off for the first few days. Then after I have gotten everything setup and all the folders arranged how I want I will go ahead and turn it back on.

Let me know if that was what you're looking for.

[OldManDeath]

I had seen that.  I found a document on ms technet that explained to run secpol.msc from the command prompt and drill down and tell to not prompt.  However, it does not do what it says as it just shuts down uac.

I actually leave UAC off because I hate the damn prompts.  I just wish MS had put in the dialog that pops up needing permission, a checkbox to allow that program to run in the future without prompting.  If you know a program is not harmful, you should be able to disable it from prompting.

I actually bet there is an undocumented feature as none of the MS Office apps ever ask for permission when run.

[Ryan Wagner]

I have wondered why they haven't done that as well, and the only solution that I have come up with is that they are afraid a virus might attach itself to a program that someone has permanently approved. They could have made it so that as long as the program's code doesn't change that it can be bypassed though. I think we might see some updates to UAC when SP1 gets released now that it is in the hands of "real" users and Microsoft is probably getting a tremndous amount of feedback on it.

[OldManDeath]

I would tend to agree with you there.  I actually like the concept of UAC.  I just think there needs to be a way for the user to get rid of the prompt for trusted applications.

[BloodSugarWilksM]

I couldn't agree with you more OMD, Vista UAC needs to be continued but overhauled.  This is why they need a service pack for Vista - there's lots of fit and finish that needs work and little crap like this as well.

[Ryan Wagner]

And also a way to pick and choose what UAC is used for would be nice. Maybe you don't want UAC to bug you when trying to remove files from your hard drive, etc...

I would also like to see an option to use Windows Explorer in administrator mode so that you don't get prompted when trying to move files and folders around. I like to keep my Start Menu clean but the prompts can get super annoying sometimes. I've tried running Windows Explorer as an administrator but that didn't work the way I wanted to (I was still prompted when moving files or folders around).

[OldManDeath]

I agree with the need for a Vista Service Pack, or in lieu thereof, at least release upgrades for enhancements like this.

I actually have UAC turned off on my desktop, since the purchase of my notebook as I now use it for almost everything.  The desktop is used for "obtaining" my TV shows in digital HDTV format, manipulating video files and playing Titan Quest.  I have had no attacks or anything come in through the net or introduced elsewhere.  Then again, I do not open unknown attachments to emails and I run Avast and Windows Defender.

I have UAC enabled on my Notebook, and I really do not like the hassles, but I put up with them for the added security as it is my main system now.

[Ryan Wagner]

That's exactly how I feel...I don't like the hassle of the UAC but it feels like it is something worth putting up with because of the added security. I'm sure Microsoft is working on a better solution to make more people happy, and hopefully that will come with Service Pack 1. I guess I won't hold my breath though.

[xpgeek]

Administrator mode for windows explorer would be sooo useful. I find that I can't use a zip build of Firefox on vista no matter what I do, unless UAC is just turned off completely as I'm setting it up. All that bugging me for permission to move files into my program files, just screws up one of the files, or something, and just doesn't work. But fine if UAC was off as I was moving it.

[OldManDeath]

I did find the following interesting article on how to install programs to minimize UAC prompts:

http://www.techwrighter.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=27

I have not yet had the opportunity to test this, but it makes sense.

[Ryan Wagner]

I'm actually looking into a way to disable UAC prompts on a per-folder basis, which I think might be possible depending on how the owners are setup for a folder. The UAC prompt is only displayed on folders for which the current users is not set as a member, so if I add myself as a member it won't display the UAC prompt for me.

[OldManDeath]

I'm actually looking into a way to disable UAC prompts on a per-folder basis, which I think might be possible depending on how the owners are setup for a folder. The UAC prompt is only displayed on folders for which the current users is not set as a member, so if I add myself as a member it won't display the UAC prompt for me.

Have you actually tried this yet?

[Ryan Wagner]

Yep, I actually got it to work as well. It will be coming up in our CyberNotes for Thursday. Took me a little bit to figure it all out, but I got it to work.