User Account Control

E37354

User Account Control is a Windows security mechanism that limits application privileges and prompts for consent or administrator approval before allowing potentially system-altering actions.

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Statements (46)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Windows security feature
privilege elevation mechanism
abbreviation UAC
alsoAvailableInVersion Windows 10
Windows 11
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 8.1
appliesTo administrative tasks
drivers installation
software installation
system-wide configuration changes
canBeDisabled true
componentOf Windows security model
configurableVia Control Panel
Group Policy
registry settings
defaultSettingInWindows10 Notify me only when apps try to make changes
defaultUserTokenType standard user token
developedBy Microsoft
elevatedTokenType administrator token
goal encourage running as standard user
hasSetting Always notify
Never notify
Notify me only when apps try to make changes
Notify me only when apps try to make changes (do not dim my desktop)
introducedConcept file and registry virtualization for legacy apps
split token for administrators
introducedInVersion Windows Vista
mitigates silent elevation of privileges
unauthorized software installation
operatingSystem Windows
surface form: Microsoft Windows
primaryPurpose limit application privileges
prevent unauthorized system changes
reduce impact of malware
relatedConcept Access token
Run as administrator
User rights assignment
requires administrator approval for elevated tasks
user consent for elevation
securityModel least privilege
supports Secure Desktop isolation for prompts
userInterfaceElement elevation prompt dialog
usesMechanism consent dialog
credential prompt
secure desktop prompt

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Windows Vista feature User Account Control
Windows 7 securityFeature User Account Control
Windows supportsSecurityFeature User Account Control