User Account Control (UAC) Documentation for Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008

User Account Control

Updated: May 11, 2010

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista

This collection contains links to detailed information about User Account Control (UAC) for the IT professional. If you need help and how-to information for using UAC at home, see the following:

What is User Account Control? (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=159927)
When should I allow programs to make changes to my computer? (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=159928)
Turn User Account Control on or off (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=159929)

UAC is a security component that allows an administrator to enter credentials during a non-administrator's user session to perform occasional administrative tasks. UAC also can also require administrators to specifically approve administrative actions or applications before they are allowed to run.

UAC was introduced in Windows Vista. In response to customer feedback, UAC in Windows 7 implements a number of improvements, including reduced number of consent or credential prompts. For more information about UAC changes in Windows 7, see What's New in User Account Control.

Note
Except where noted, the design of UAC is consistent between the server and client operating systems.

	Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2	Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
Product Evaluation	What's New in User Account Control Provides information about the changes in UAC in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. User Account Control in Windows 7 Features Walkthroughs View a short video about the changes in UAC. Inside Windows 7 User Account Control Contains additional information the changes in UAC in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and the advantages of UAC and running as a standard user.	User Account Control An overview of UAC in Windows Server 2008 detailing how UAC features help improve security in Windows Server 2008. User Account Control (Feature Information Page) Comprehensive information about UAC, particularly as implemented in Windows Vista.
Getting Started	User Account Control in Windows 7 Best Practices Contains UAC best practices to help assure that your Windows 7 deployment is successful.	User Account Control Step-by-Step Guide Provides the instructions necessary to use UAC in Windows Vista in a test lab environment. Exploring New User Account Control in Windows Vista Virtual Lab Get hands-on experience with UAC in Windows Vista.
Planning and Architecture	User Account Control: Planning and Deploying Application Compatibility Databases for Windows 7 Provides information about how to determine whether your applications are Windows 7 compatible, and then plan how to fix the issues and deploy the application compatibility databases. You should review this document before deploying Windows 7 so that you can deploy the application compatibility databases with Windows 7.
Technical Reference	User Account Control Technical Reference Learn about what UAC is, how it works, and Group Policy settings for UAC in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.	Understanding and Configuring User Account Control in Windows Vista Find out how UAC works, including deployment scenarios and ensuring that legacy applications will be compatible. Windows Vista Application Development Requirements for User Account Control (UAC) Learn how to develop applications to work with UAC.
Troubleshooting	User Account Control Troubleshooting Guide Provides troubleshooting information for UAC in Windows 7.