Windows 7 / Security and Privacy

Control Panel

Group Policy is the best way to configure UAC in AD DS environments. In workgroup environments, administrators can configure UAC on a single computer by using Control Panel. Changes made while logged on as an administrator affect all administrators, and changes made while logged on as a user affect all users. To change the default setting, follow these steps:

  1. In Control Panel, click System And Security.
  2. Under Action Center, click Change User Account Control Settings.
  3. Select one of the following four notification levels:
    • Always Notify Me Users are notified when they make changes to Windows settings and when programs attempt to make changes to the computer.
    • Default-Notify Me Only When Programs Try To Make Changes To My Computer Users are not notified when they make changes to Windows settings, but they do receive notification when a program attempts to make changes to the computer. This is the default setting.
    • Notify Me Only When Programs Try To Make Changes To My Computer (Do Not Dim The Desktop) Similar to the previous setting, but the secure desktop is not used. Disabling the secure desktop reduces security, but also reduces the impact of UAC on the user. This setting is available only to administrators.
    • Never Notify Me Users are not notified of any changes made to Windows settings or when software is installed. This causes all elevation-requests to be automatically accepted. This setting is available only to administrators.
  4. Click OK.
  5. When prompted, restart your computer.
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In this tutorial:

  1. Windows 7 Client Protection
  2. Understanding the Risk of Malware
  3. User Account Control in Windows 7
  4. UAC for Standard Users
  5. UAC for Administrators
  6. UAC User Interface
  7. Secure Desktop
  8. How Windows Determines Whether an Application Needs Administrative Privileges
  9. How to Control UAC Using Application Properties
  10. How UAC Examines the Application Manifest
  11. UAC Heuristics
  12. UAC Virtualization
  13. UAC and Startup Programs
  14. Compatibility Problems with UAC
  15. How to Configure UAC
  16. Group Policy Settings
  17. Control Panel
  18. Msconfig.exe
  19. How to Configure Auditing for Privilege Elevation
  20. Other UAC Event Logs
  21. Best Practices for Using UAC
  22. AppLocker
  23. AppLocker Rule Types
  24. Auditing AppLocker Rules
  25. DLL Rules
  26. Custom Error Messages
  27. Using AppLocker with Windows PowerShell
  28. Using Windows 7 Defender
  29. Understanding Windows Defender
  30. Automatic Scanning
  31. Real-Time Protection
  32. Windows Defender Alert Levels
  33. Understanding Microsoft SpyNet
  34. Configuring Windows Defender Group Policy
  35. Configuring Windows Defender on a Single Computer
  36. How to Determine Whether a Computer Is Infected with Spyware
  37. Best Practices for Using Windows Defender
  38. How to Troubleshoot Problems with Unwanted Software
  39. Network Access Protection
  40. Forefront