1.) The User Account Control (UAC) fights hacker and n00b mistakes, but is the first thing you are likely to turn off because it's just so annoying! Turning it completely off turns off some very useful functions such as Internet Protected Mode and other low level protections you probably want to keep in place. Here are some things you can change to make using Vista fun while maintaining security. Don't touch this if you are unsure of tweaking the security protocols.
Please Note! It is just good computing to run everyday programs as a standard user and not an Administrator incase of a malicious attack. UAC makes the Admin a "standard" user and prompts before elevating your privileges... thereby giving you the best of both worlds. UAC prompts are far and few between after all your software is loaded (If it's really Vista Ready ... some program need (want?) Admin access all the time) and you have tweaked the naughty bits. You really should leave it enabled.
a.) Click Start, then run "secpol.msc" to open the Security Options Menu
b.) Look for Local Polices > Security Options.
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c.) Scroll down to User Account Protection Settings. Below is a list of things you may wish to change. If you want to change anything, just right click and select Modify. The default settings are BOLD. Either solution effectively stops UAC from protecting you (and bugging you) from malicious programs. I strongly suggest that you do not disable or hamper UAC.
Admin Approval Mode = Disabling the Approval mode for the built in Admin (You) reverts to the XP style of running your account as a full time Administrator.
Elevation prompt = Admin is a standard user until Admin privileges are required and you are then elevated if you click ok. Disabling this prompt clicks OK for you automatically. This is the preferred method.
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User Account Control; Admin Approval Mode for the Built-in Administrator account
Enabled
Disabled
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User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for Administrators in Admin Approval Mode
Elevate without prompting (preferred method for disabling UAC prompts)
Prompt for credentials
Prompt for Consent
The other User Account Control behaviors can be left at default. You should now be able to perform most functions without being constantly asked to approve the action. Some things will still ask for confirmation, such as renaming folders etc. but the intrusion is less annoying and may save you from a costly mistake.
2.) The new Start search feature of Vista defaults to indexing just everything you store on your computer so you can find it later. This constant indexing can cause a slight performance slowdown (The file index includes all searchable files on your PC). You can edit the registry to disable the indexing or you can limit what is actually searched.
To limit what is Searched (suggested);
a.) Right-click the Vista toolbar > Properties > Start Menu tab > Customize.
b.) Scroll down and uncheck or check what you would like searched.
To index fewer things on your computer;
a.) Click Start, then type "regedit" in the search bar.
b.) Follow this file path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer > Advanced.
c.) Right click on Start_SearchFiles and select Modify.
d.) Set the Value to 0.
e.) Exit and restart your PC.