Temporarily Disabling Vista's "User Account Control" - troubleshooter

When installing X-Rite software, a number of files (instrument drivers, et. al.) must be written into folders that are considered to be part of the Vista operating system's core. A new feature in Vista, enabled by default, is the "User Account Control" (hereafter UAC). The UAC may prevent X-Rite software from installing. One of several different error messages is displayed and the installation process is terminated: Vista has interpreted the action as being a "silent" install, often associated with malicious activity. Even a system administrator, may be prevented from completing the installation.

Below are the steps required to temporarily disable this switch. Following a successful install, you may turn UAC back on to assure that your computer is fully protected.

  1. Close all running applications as a computer restart will be required.
  2. Open the "Control Panel" and then "User Accounts".

  3. Uncheck the "Use User Account Control (UAC)..." prompt.


     
  4. Next click on "OK". Following this you will be prompted to restart your computer so that the changes can take effect.

Install the X-Rite application. Following a successful install, you may repeat the steps above, this time placing a check in the UAC checkbox. This will re-enable the security switch protecting your PC from malicious "silent" installs.

 

Note: All X-Rite software should be installed by a person logged onto the computer with full administration access. Generally speaking this level of access is not required following the installation process. An exception to this occurs when an application needs to write an ICC profile into the Windows Vista's color management folder. This is a core, protected folder and only administrators may make changes in this location. Because of this, persons creating ICC profiles will be required to have full administration access on the local machine.

 

1The primary difference between a standard user and an administrator in Windows Vista is the level of access the user has over core, protected areas of the computer. Administrators can change system state, turn off the firewall, configure security policy, install a service or a driver that affects every user on the computer, and install software for the entire computer. Standard users cannot perform these tasks and can only install per-user software.

See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control

 


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