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SURFCAM Tech Tip

How to disable Windows 7 User Account Control (UAC)

Why should I disable User Account Control?

If you have installed SURFCAM V5 in to a User Account Control protected directory, ( C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86) ) SURFCAM will be unable to save the changes being made to the system (via Tools | Options)  Any changes will be saved to the Virtual Store's version of the file.  This will cause SURFCAM to always open as if it is a new installation.

What is User Account Control?

In a nutshell it is Microsoft's attempt at controlling access to critical systems files by prompting the user for permission to access or modify these files.  If the user does not have sufficient permissions to modify a protected file the operating system will automatically create a hidden Virtual Store directory to hold the modified files, thus protecting the original files. More Info on User Account Control

A partial list of UAC's Protected Directories:-

  1. Program Files
  2. Program Files (x86)
  3. Windows

The Virtual Store is located here

How to disable User Account Control.

  1. Go to Control Panel | User Accounts and Family Safety | User Accounts
  2. Click Change User Account Control Settings

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  1. Drag the slider down to Never Notify.  This will TURN OFF the UAC protection allowing Windows 7 to behave like Windows XP.

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What if you are unable or unwilling to disable User Account Control?

Install SURFCAM into a Directory that is unprotected by UAC