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#11
I'm wondering .. Has UAC ever saved anyone ???
Turns out this is simple.
I just did it on a Windows 7 x64 Ultimate RC system. Same trick I use on Vista x64 at work.
Create a directory for personally trusted apps that Windows does not recognize. The FSF emacs 23.1 Windows binary is a good example. Another is the recompiled GPLed version of Quake II, kmquake2.exe.
I use "C:\Tools\" myself.
Add this folder (or subfolders, if you're going to go that route) to the %PATH% environment variable: "Start" -> "Computer", right-click on "Properties", go to "Advanced System Settings", and "Environment Variables" is the fourth and last button.
Save the new %PATH%.
Either reboot, or restart Explorer. But if the app is going to be called from a script, you needn't bother, since new instances of cmd.exe will take the new %PATH%.
Done.
You know, right on the UAC prompt is a link that says "Change when these notifications appear" ...
Because UAC is not just for security. Turning off UAC turns off a host of other tools. For instance, Windows Explorer no longer runs in protected mode. This means that any flaw discovered in IE can be taken advantage of by specially crafted web sites to install root kits that bypass most anti-virus and malware.
Another thing you lose is folder virtualization. This allows programs which write to protected areas (older programs mostly) to still function in the more locked down environment that Vista/7 use for things like Program Files, etc..
I turned it off right after installing windows. If you use a good Internet Security combo and don't use crappy IE you are OK.
I never had a problem even in XP surfing the internet and I scan all downloads first and trust me I go to very bad sites sometime.
Btw I use Kaspersky Internet Security and Firefox with privacy/security addons.
+1 MasterB .. having come of age in the Linux world, I learned that the best security lies between your ears, not on your HD.. +rep