User Access Control, also known as UAC, is a security feature of Microsoft Windows that helps manage and monitor user access to the computer and its functions. UAC helps ensure that all users have the appropriate level of privilege when running software on the system by limiting the rights of standard users and prompting administrators for permission to perform certain tasks. By restricting user access to privileged functions, UAC helps protect your computer from malicious software, unauthorized changes, and potential data loss.
This guide will walk you through the steps of configuring UAC in Windows 10.
Step 1: Set the Level of UAC
The first step when configuring UAC is to decide what level of protection you need for your system. Windows provides four different levels of UAC protection ranging from Always Notify to Never Notify.
The Always Notify setting is the most secure option and provides the highest level of protection. This setting requires users to respond to the UAC prompt each time they attempt to make a change to the system or install new software.
The second setting is Prompt for Credentials. This setting requires users to enter an administrator’s username and password before they can perform certain actions.
The third setting is Automatically Deny Elevation Requests. This setting causes any elevation requests to be blocked without prompting the user for credentials.
The fourth setting is Never Notify. This setting turns off UAC completely and allows all users to perform any modification or install software without prompting for credentials.
Step 2: Implement UAC
Once you’ve decided which level of protection you need, the next step is to implement UAC. To do this, open the Control Panel and go to User Accounts and Family Safety > User Accounts > Change User Account Control settings.
In the window that appears you will see the four UAC levels listed. Choose the one you want and click OK.
Step 3: Monitor UAC Activity
Once you’ve configured UAC, it’s important to monitor its activity to make sure it is working as expected. To do this, open Event Viewer by typing “eventvwr” into the Start Menu and then navigate to the Security log. The Security log contains all UAC related events, including successful and unsuccessful attempts to access the system.
By monitoring the Security log, you can quickly identify any suspicious activity or attempted breaches of security.
Step 4: Test UAC
Finally, it’s important to test UAC to make sure it is working correctly. To do this, try to perform an action that requires elevated privileges such as installing new software or changing system settings. If all is working correctly, you should see the UAC prompt and then be asked to enter credentials before the action can be completed.
If the UAC prompt does not appear or there are other problems, double-check all the settings to make sure UAC is properly configured.
Conclusion
Configuring UAC in Windows 10 is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that all users have the appropriate level of privilege when running software on the system and that your computer is secure from malicious actors.