How do I get Windows to stop asking me all those questions?
If you’re reading this then you’re probably a Windows user – and are getting tired of your computer asking to confirm this or that every time you want to perform an action. Here are a few tips to stopping this.
Using your computer should be easy – and I’d argue Microsoft has done a good job at this with Windows 7 as it helps simplify your PC tasks. In fact, I just wrote about seven Windows 7 tips to getting more out of the operating system.
But unless you change some of the default settings, you will be asked, reminded or confirmed to do a few tasks. And that might just get annoying after a while.
So, here’s how to get around these things:
Permission to change settings, run programs
Introduced in Windows Vista, your computer will repeatedly ask if you if you want to do something, such as open an application or change a system setting. This pop-up box is to ensure you don’t accidentally perform an act that can damage your computer or data. Microsoft recommends it for novice computer users as that extra permission reminder might help safeguard your PC from harm.
But if you’re tech savvy enough and don’t want to click through a series of boxes to approve something, here’s how to turn off User Account Control (UAC).
To disable this feature, click Start, then Control Panel, and then User Accounts and Family Safety. Once inside this area, click User Accounts and finally, Change User Account Control Settings.
Now you’ll see a slider bar, which you can drag down to “Never Notify.” Save the settings and exit. Again, only do this if you’re computer savvy enough not to run an unknown .exe file or change important system settings.
Stop AutoPlay (or change what pops up)
OK, so everything time you connect something to your PC (such as a USB stick or camera) or insert a CD or DVD, you get that pop-up window that asks what you want to do with it – or it launches the program automatically (such as Windows Media Player). Many people like this feature as it can open up a relevant application to access your info or media.
But if you don’t like it – or want to change what program it opens – here’s what to do.
To turn AutoPlay off completely, open AutoPlay by clicking the Start button and typing in “auto” (without the quotes) in the search window. Select AutoPlay and you’ll see a long list of all media and devices. At the top, simply uncheck where is says “Use AutoPlay for all media and devices.”
To turn off AutoPlay for only one type of media, open AutoPlay (see above) and once inside the AutoPlay, uncheck each item in the list you don’t want to be asked about. Select “Take no action” from the pull-down menu and then click Save.
To open a specific program when you connect media to your computer, select the name of the program for each action, such as when inserting a blank DVD or connecting an iPad. In some cases you can also select what action to take, such as when connecting an audio CD you can have your PC automatically rip it into MP3s, if you like.
Stop remembering passwords
Finally, many feel it’s convenient when browsers like Internet Explorer can remember passwords for you – especially if you’re the only one who uses the computer – as you won’t need to type it every time.
But if you don’t like it, you can stop Windows from asking you to remember passwords. In your browser, click on the Tools menu from the top of the screen and at the bottom of the drop-down window, click on Internet Options. Now click on the Content tab and you will see the “Auto-complete” button and the “Auto-complete Settings” screen.
Uncheck the box that says “User names and passwords on forms.” In the same window, click on “Clear Passwords.” A new box will appear and will ask “Clear all previously saved form passwords?” Click “Ok”. That’s it!
nice write up Mark.
in case you weren’t aware, here is a tip on how to Enable Windows 7 SuperAdmin-Mode;
Just follow the next steps:
1. Create a new folder
2. Right click the folder and name it like this : SuperAdmin.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
3. Press Enter. Now the folder has a new name : SuperAdmin
4. When you open the folder you see a sort of super list with a bunch of settings
Thanks, Tony f.
great tip.
Thanks Tony,
Great suggestion for more advanced users.
Best,
Marc
Hi Mark,
Love ur stuff!!
My question is…there is an APP that allows one to place the barcode from a “Scene” card and the like into ur phone. Mine is an Anroid…can u tell me the name of that APP??
TKS
Your looking for the cineplex app.
I always turn off the user account control as one of the first things when setting up a computer for a new user at our business – it’s definitely one of the most annoying features of Windows!
I like this info but wish you would include a convenient “print” so it can be kept for future reference withoout the annoying ads.
Willis
Not 100% convenient but gets rid of the adds. Works in Outlook Express.
Click and highlight what you want to save and then select print/selection/apply/print. Works for me every time.
Use Adblock Plus for Firefox – it eliminates almost all ads, for wonderfully non-annoying browsing!
if you don’t know how to use a computer take a course or just don’t use it. and check a dictionary for the word “option”, you can use it but you don’t have. where is the problem???
good luck with looking for solutions on internet, many of the “hints” are given by 10-yo “wizards” :)
You need to take an english course to improve your grammar. Maybe you can find one on the internet…
Spiider are you the spelling police , G/F
Spider never said anything about the spelling. The man’s gramamr is pathetic and what he wrote makes very little sense.
If you need a guide to tell you how to disable UAC then you shouldn’t be disabling the UAC, you are not advanced enough.
BUY A MAC, PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!
download your free copy of linux ubuntu It is user friendly. I have had no bugs , worms, or virus. I have been using Linus for two years and Ill never go back to MS again. There are linux user groups in just about every city and they will help you to over come your fears. Just type in LUG and go from there.
No offense to Marc but this is too dangerous for normal users to do. Normal users should not be given admin rights to install dangerous programs onto the computer. Yes it is annoying if you are trying to load a program but disabling uac is not recommended. Users are still getting spyware / malware even with it on.
Turning UAC off is the dumbest thing you can do, next to giving all your passwords away.
gsd
[...] How do I get Windows to stop asking me all those questions? [...]
Smart people just buy a MAC. Windows and Microsoft are still light years behind but trying hard to catch up to the Apple OS, which they copied almost fully … but can’t make it work as well no matter how hard they try.
Buy a Mac !