Turn Off Admin Approval Mode in Windows 7

If you want to sacrifice security for convenience

One of the most confusing aspects to using any modern version of Windows is making the distinction between the administrator account and an account with administrative privileges. Starting with Windows Vista and carried through to Windows 7, the operating system handles running applications as an administrator quite differently than in previous versions.

One of the problems with Windows XP was that standard users had their hands tied when it came to doing things restricted to admins only. Accounts with administrative privileges, however, had unbridled access to anything on the PC. This created a two security issues.

First, the standard user account was so restricted that most people set up all of their accounts on an XP computer with administrative privileges. Second, a hijacked account that has administrative privileges had no way to protect itself against running unauthorized programs or accessing private folders. With Windows Vista and 7, however, Microsoft made an ingenious trade-off between too many and too few restrictions.

Admin Approval Mode

To combat the privilege problem of previous operating systems, the software giant gave only the administrator account full, unrestricted access to all aspects of the PC. An account with administrative privileges technically operates as a standard user account until an action requiring administrative permission is needed. At that time, the account temporarily enters Admin Approval Mode and reenters standard user mode after the action is complete.

This method of standard user vs. administrative privileged user increases security and disallows any unauthorized applications from launching. Unfortunately, Microsoft went a little overboard in Windows Vista by requiring just about everything to have administrative permission. With Windows 7, Microsoft backed off the annoying messages and created a balanced experience for users of accounts with administrative privileges.

However, if security is not much of an issue for your PC, you can disable Admin Approval Mode and allow your accounts with administrative privileges to operate as if they were the administrator account. Sacrificing security for convenience, you can make an administrative account in Windows 7 operate as freely as it did in Windows XP.

How to Turn Off Admin Approval Mode

Log in to Windows using an account that has administrative privileges. Then, click onStart>All Programs>Administrative Tools>Local Security Policy.

This will open up theLocal Security Policyoptions window where you can change many features of how Windows operates.

In the left hand pane of theLocal Security Policywindow, click on theLocal Policiesfolder and then theSecurity Optionsfolder. Now, you should see numerous options available to you in the right hand pane.

In the right hand pane, locate an option titledUser Account Control: Run All Administrators in Admin Approval Mode.

Right click on this option and selectPropertiesfrom the menu. Notice that the default setting isEnabled. Choose theDisabledoption and then clickOK.

Windows 7 will inform you that you need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Restart your PC and the next time you log in with an administrative account, Admin Approval Mode will be disabled.

When it comes to administrative accounts, Microsoft’s tradeoff between security and usability is much better in Windows 7 than in previous versions of the operating system. However, by turning off Admin Approval Mode, you can force Windows 7 to keep all accounts that belong to the administrative group elevated to the administrative level.

They will no longer sink down into standard user mode requiring the administrator to approve all actions that require higher level permissions.

Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio

Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked*

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Website

Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008.

HomeAbout UsEditorial StandardsContact UsTerms of Use

Turn Off Admin Approval Mode in Windows 7#

Admin Approval Mode#

How to Turn Off Admin Approval Mode#