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Windows Vista User Account Control In Vista

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by whompuscat, 2007/07/05.

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  1. 2007/07/05
    whompuscat Lifetime Subscription

    whompuscat Inactive Thread Starter

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    I am totally confused about the user account control security feature in Vista. When enabled it will not let me access my backup drives. It will not let me save to the backup drive. It will not let Norton Ghost write to the backup drive.

    What good is a backup drive if I can't access it. I've had it turned off all this time because I couldn't access what I needed to, didn't have permission :eek:

    It's my computer and my internal and external backup drives so why do I not have permission to save to these drives?

    I evidently don't understand permissions as I have gone into the folders and given FULL control to myself but yet when UAC is enabled I still get the message that I don't have permission. I have read MS information on setting permissions but can't seem to make it work. I have one drive I tried to set permissions on and now all the folders say "not inherited ", don't know how I changed that and don't know how to change it back, heck don't even know what it's supposed to be inheriting from :confused:

    When UAC is disabled the IE protected mode is also disabled although in IE options it says it is enabled.

    So where do I get information for dummies? Because Vista sure makes me feel like I'm stupid but I'm quite computer literate, at least WAS!!

    I turned it on because I had read so much about how great it protected you, but I have turned it off again because it won't let me do ANYTHING!!!

    Any tricks, ideas, ect.??????
     
    Last edited: 2007/07/05
    whompuscat,
    #1
  2. 2007/07/05
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hello Whompuscat. I am running Windows Vista and I have had a few issues with permissions as well. The only way to gain access to some of those stubborn files or folders is to take ownership of them. :)

    Try this:

    1. Right click on the external harrdrive then go to properties
    2. Click the security tab
    3. Click advanced
    4. Click the owner tab
    5. Click edit
    6. Highlight your user name and check the replace owner on subcontainers and objects checkbox, click apply then ok. Then press ok on all of the other windows to exit out of them.

    Once thats done see if you can access and copy contents to the external harrdrive.

    If taking ownership of the harrdrive doesn't work try this:

    1. Go to Start, All programs, Accessories, then right click command prompt and click Run as Administrator.
    2. Once the command prompt opens type this command and press enter.
    net user administrator /active:yes
    3. This command will enable the hidden Administrator account in Windows Vista. Log off your account and log on as the Administrator. After you log on, see if you have access to the external harrdrive and see if you can copy contents to it.

    Note: If you try to log onto the Administrator account and it requires a password, do this. Open up Control Panel, click on User Accounts and Family Safety, then click on User Accounts, Click on Manage another account, then click Administrator, Once you are there click Remove a password. Once the password is removed try logging onto the Administrator account again.

    Good luck with your problem. I am sure some more people will provide their 2 cents worth on this issue. :)
     
    Evan Omo,
    #2


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  4. 2007/07/06
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    I would suggest (1.5 cents worth :)), find the executable for Ghost, right-click and select "Run as administrator ".

    Is Ghost an older version? Maybe you need to run it in XP compatibility mode.

    Are there any updates for your version of Ghost at Norton/Symantec?

    Matt
     
    mattman,
    #3
  5. 2007/07/06
    whompuscat Lifetime Subscription

    whompuscat Inactive Thread Starter

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    It is Norton Ghost 12 which is the lastest version and is Vista compatible.

    Tried to take ownership but then it gets to some of the files and says you don't have permission....... grrrrrrrrrrr

    I'll just leave UAC off, at least I can access MOST of the files on my computer that way.
     
    whompuscat,
    #4
  6. 2007/07/06
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Try logging into the Administrator account that I outlined for you in my first post. Then see if you can gain access and copy contents to the external harrdrive.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #5
  7. 2007/07/06
    greenday5494

    greenday5494 Inactive

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    dont leave the UAC off! it is one of THE most important feature of vista concerning security. without it, you should just go back to winXP for secrity...
     
    greenday5494,
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  8. 2007/07/06
    whompuscat Lifetime Subscription

    whompuscat Inactive Thread Starter

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    I understand that. And I wish I could go back to XP but new computers don't have OS options.

    I would like to leave it on, but I'm not going to be locked down to where I can't access anything when I need to.

    I will try the admin account and see if that will work.
    But still don't like the idea of having to switch back and forth just to save whatever I need to save or access whatever.
     
    whompuscat,
    #7
  9. 2007/07/06
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hi greenday,

    While the concept of UAC is good - a white list process control, it's basic problem is that it doesn't learn.

    Quite aside the big problem that Joyce is posting about, right now it will intervene no matter how many times I've run lets say my spyware scanner in the past or if I update the AV. After awhile it gets stupid.

    The answer is to switch back and forth between Admin/non Admin. But to have to switch in order to run programs that maintain the system defeats the security purpose of UAC.

    I use it whiile surfing and that's it.

    Hoping MS will address UAC in the promised SP.

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
    #8
  10. 2007/07/06
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi Charles. On that note I agree with you. I have UAC enabled on my machine and even though it is annoying, I put up with it because I know its helping to protect my computer from threats. :)

    But I do have to admit, it does get anoying to be asked whether I want to do this and do that on my computer. The thing that I don't like about UAC is there is no remember this action check box where I can just have it allow me to go into administrative tools for example and not have it continue to say, Do you want to continue? :rolleyes:

    For those of us who run Administrator accounts it should only intervene on something if we download a program from the internet and try to install it. That would be the only reason why it should be enabled and why it should intervene and say, Do you want to install this software. I also think that UAC should be used to stop drive-by downloads and the installation of malware because if you visit a malicious website and it attempts to download a program onto your computer without your consent, UAC can intervene and say to you want to install this software? I think that approach would make UAC much better than having it ask you over and over again if you want to open a specific program on your computer. :p

    I suppose I could turn off UAC but that would defeat the whole purpose of it and I would be more vulnerable to security threats. I really hope Microsoft improves UAC in SP1 because I hate having all of these permission issues and access is denied messages. :mad: I am an advanced user and therefore I should have access to everything.

    One thing that Microsoft should do to UAC is only apply it to people with limited accounts. From a begining users stand point, yes I think that the permissions and UAC is necessary to keep the user safe, to keep them from changing unwanted computer settings and to keep them from getting infected by malware. Overall I hope Microsoft improves UAC and lets people with Administrator rights be able to access everything they need without having to be asked every time Do you want to continue? :mad: Now I know why so many users don'y like UAC. :)
     
    Evan Omo,
    #9
  11. 2007/07/07
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    I have turned UAC back on, I found installation problems having it turned off.

    Now, I can almost click the Continue buttons without looking. The area that would prompt me to think carefully is when I did not "instigate" the install myself.

    Interesting! Example, why do you need to approve access to system information when you are the administrator? The administrator or an access program should be treated separately. (Does Windows know the difference?)

    Matt
     
    mattman,
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  12. 2007/07/07
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hi Matt,
    Could you elaborate on that a bit more. I haven't run into any problems yet. I haven't installed whole lot yet.

    As I said, MS needs to revisit UAC in a SP.

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
    #11
  13. 2007/07/07
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Hi Charles,
    Program was Adobe Reader. Error was that the Temp folder could not be accessed. After searching (extensively) at Adobe, the fix was to re-enable UAC. It is the only one I came across, I've just left UAC enabled so that I can avoid the situation with any other installations.

    Matt
     
    mattman,
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  14. 2007/07/08
    CrunchDude

    CrunchDude Inactive

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    I also have gotten used to the UAC. But it IS annoying, and I think unnecessarily so. Quick couple of questions:

    How does the UAC protect me if I decided to turn it off?

    And when is SP1 supposed to be available?
     
    CrunchDude,
    #13
  15. 2007/07/08
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi CrunchDude. As far as UAC goes, if you turn it off it won't protect you at all therefore leaving you open to more security threats. As far as SP1 goes the only information that I know about the release date is its going to be released before November of 2007. Thats it. Microsoft hasn't confirmed the actual date for when SP1 will be released other than it will be released in the 2nd half of 2007. :)
     
    Evan Omo,
    #14
  16. 2007/07/11
    whompuscat Lifetime Subscription

    whompuscat Inactive Thread Starter

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    I still have UAC turned off. And other than the nag screen and being able to actually access my backup drives I find no difference. The system files are still protected and inaccessible and some other features that was allowed in XP are not accessible, so with UAC off you are still protected.

    I haven't had any problems with anything YET, no viruses, spyware etc. on my machine. Of course I'm an advanced user and most of the times use common sense in what I do. I ran it for over a week without any virus protection and with just the windows firewall because I couldn't find a vista compatible antivirus I liked (and still haven't, preferrably free), had mcafee, have NIS 2007 and don't like either one of them. Now just using AVG free and windows firewall and still no problems except with an occasional spyware cookie.
    And I use a customs host file, so right now I feel pretty safe and still have reasonable access to my computer. I should be able to set what I can and can't do but then again I can't find group policy on windows home preminum, not that I would know what to do in there if I did.

    And there is no reason why I should have to sign off and sign on as "administrator "......... I am the only user on this machine so I AM the administrator and the user. Doesn't make any sense to differientiate between administrator is you are the adminstrator.
     
    whompuscat,
    #15
  17. 2007/07/11
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi Joyce. FYI Group Policy is not included in Windows Vista Home Basic or Home Premium. Its only included in Windows Vista Buisiness and Ultimate.

    What you said about the administrator accounts is somewhat baffleing. Even on my computer there are certain settings that are managed by the Administrator account and not by my account even though I am an Administrator. For example there were a few settings in the Internet Options that were grayed out under my account but they weren't grayed out under the Administrator account. I guess thats just one of those things that Microsoft did to Vista to make it more secure which somewhat annoys me. Hopefully though we will see some improvements with security and UAC in Windows Vista SP1. BTW SP1 is actually due to be released next week. :D Take a look here. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Vista-SP1-Available-for-Download-Next-Week-July-16-59337.shtml
     
    Evan Omo,
    #16
  18. 2007/07/11
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hi Evan,

    Not to dampen your enthusiasm, but:

    Windows Vista SP1 Available for Download Next Week "“ July 16! - In beta version
     
    charlesvar,
    #17
  19. 2007/07/11
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Oh I didn't realize that Charles. :( Is the final version of SP1 still going to be released around November of 2007 or will it be sooner?
     
    Evan Omo,
    #18
  20. 2007/07/11
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    This from the rather badly written article you linked to:
    So, it seems November is the possible :rolleyes: month for the final SP1.
     
    charlesvar,
    #19
  21. 2007/07/11
    beto666

    beto666 Inactive

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    First thing I did after installing Vista was to turn UAC off! It's nagging and dispensable. The best thing is to have a good AV proggie updated and running, a spyware killer (I don't use one), Vista updated, and that's all. I don't like to be asked all the time if I want to use the things I certainly know I want to use. This is my personal opinion, of course. Everything which has been said and done here is OK. I simply killed UAC and I don't miss it a bit! :cool:
     
    beto666,
    #20
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