Windows Vista / Getting Started

Can't Stand Those Nagging Permission Screens

You can take either of two approaches to Vista's nagging permission screens:

  • Microsoft's preferred approach:
    Before automatically clicking the Continue button, ask yourself this question: Did I initiate this action? If you deliberately asked your PC to do something, click Continue for the PC to carry out your command. But if the permission screen pops up unexpectedly, click Cancel, because something's wrong.
  • The easy way out:
    Turn off the permission screens. Unfortunately, that leaves your PC more susceptible to viruses, worms, spyware, and other evil things tossed at your PC during the course of the day.

Neither option is perfect, but that is the choice that Microsoft's given you with Vista: Listen to your PC nag you or turn off the nags and instead trust your own antivirus and antispyware programs.

Microsoft's preferred approach - it is much like wearing a seatbelt when driving: It is not as comfortable, but it is safer. Ultimately, though, the choice lies with your own balance between comfort and safety.

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