Most pop-ups originate from malware. You've seen them. Those annoying ads, the pages of misdirection on your browser or boxes from non-existent utilities that claim to clean your registry.
Often though, the pop-ups are queries from your operating system. I'm not talking about the ones that ask if you're sure you want to terminate an application or if you want to save a document prior to closing it.
The granddaddy of annoying pop-ups is the one where Windows asks for permission to do things on your computer. The User Account Control box or UAC, questions whether or not you want to open a file, look in a folder, run an application or allow access to your system from the Internet.
The system deems these as untrusted sources due to the fact they lack valid digital signatures according to Microsoft. But let's not dwell on why but rather how to get around it.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, you probably have Windows XP (or Linux or a Mac).
User Account Control began back in the days of Vista and has carried through to Windows 7, although there are differences.
It's there to prevent unauthorized access or changes to your computer. The intent is good. It's supposed to prevent your system from being taken over or from having malicious code (malware) run on it without your knowledge.
The issue is, if you know what you're doing, you really don't need it. If you don't know what you're doing, then you don't know whether to accept or block what is in question anyway, so I figure it is pointless. But Microsoft didn't seek my opinion concerning UAC.
As mentioned, the intent was good. It was supposed to have your back. The execution of the program was where it was flawed. It reminds me of an even larger failure of the same sort: Vista. Microsoft had grandiose plans for a long overdue post-XP operating system, but they came out with Vista instead.
It was to be the next-generation OS: faster, sharper, prettier, full of enhancements and additions. Trouble was, all those enhancements slowed it down to a crawl. They were managed poorly. UAC was one of those new additions and they never seemed to have worked out the kinks.
If UAC behaved more like a firewall, we'd be able to use it more efficiently. Firewalls ask questions, then remember and learn. We would be able to choose which programs and websites to allow and which ones are to be blacklisted. We'd tell it only one time and it would know. Like a firewall there should be an "Exceptions" tab. But they failed to confer with me on that matter also.
In most of Vista's versions, you can simply toggle UAC either on or off. In Windows 7 and in high-end Vistas there is a sliding scale allowing even further adjustment to the control.
Be aware that even though UAC can be annoying, it does serve a purpose. By terminating it, you are making your system more vulnerable.
In Vista Home, go to Control Panel and type "UAC" without quotes, in the search box. You'll see a link to turn the feature on or off. There is also box to uncheck that says, "Use User Account Control (UAC)."A reboot is then necessary for the changes take effect.
If you're not an administrator, the down side is you'll now see another pop-up advising that your UAC is turned off and that the system is not safe. I think this was when Mr. Gates just had children and felt we needed hand-holding.
In the registry, you can disable those pop-ups as well but then you won't be advised of antivirus and other security issues.
With Windows 7 it is much easier and more manageable. Just type "UAC" in the search box from the Start button, (or from Control Panel) to gain access to a slider. You can adjust it as you see fit, from "Always Notify" to "Never Notify" (which it frowns upon) and two other points in between. Scrutinize the settings. If they don't work for you as intended, go back and change them.
You will get one last prompt after making an adjustment, then you'll need to reboot.
In Vista Ultimate/Business or Win 7 you can access Security Policy Editor by typing secpol.msc in the search box. Find Local Policies, then Security Options and then look for "User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators in Admin approval mode." Double-click it and choose to "Elevate without prompting."
Alternatively, WinCleaner UAC Switch is a free utility you can download online. It runs administrator rights in a quiet mode, without asking for confirmations. A similar tool should have been incorporated into the OS, but alas, they failed to seek my advice.
If you have Vista or Win 7 and are reluctant to change any settings, either get accustomed to the annoyance of the pop-up and stay protected or turn UAC off and live dangerously. Personally, I like living on the edge.
Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly on the Business page and on gainesvilletimes.com.