Stop UAC From Dimming The Desktop in Windows

Martin Brinkmann
Jan 11, 2010
Updated • Jun 5, 2016
Windows, Windows 7
|
10

If you are a Windows XP user who recently switched to Windows 7 you may have started to get annoyed by the blacking out of the screen every time the User Account Control feature kicks in.

Update: The feature is part of any Windows system released after Windows 7 as well, and the guide below can be used on those systems as well to stop the dimming of the screen when UAC prompts are displayed by the operating system.

Microsoft calls this dimming the screen and while that is the case, there is more to it than just that. What is happening actually is that Windows dims the screen to bring the user's attention to the UAC prompt that has been opened.

This happens for instance during software installations, or when you launch core system tools like the Registry Editor, and there is no option to continue working with the operating system until an action has been selected.

While this may be useful for inexperienced users to push them in the right direction, it can be annoying to experienced users who know what they are doing.

Most advanced users may not need the extra eye-opener when a program tries to change data on the computer system, especially not during software installations that have been initiated by the user.

Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows Vista, ship with an option to disable the dimming of the desktop during UAC prompts. This will still display a notification in the form of a normal window so that it is possible to interact with other elements on the desktop while the prompt is open.

If you think about it, this makes sense from a security perspective as well. If the prompt appears without your doing, you may want to research why it has been spawned before making a decision.

Stop UAC From Dimming The Desktop in Windows

To change that setting type in UAC into the start menu run box and select the appropriate result. On Windows 10 for instance, you'd pick "Change User Account Control Settings" from the results.

Doing so opens the User Account Control Settings. All that needs to be done is move the slider down one step from the default position so that it is now the third from the top instead of the second.

Microsoft recommends to only use the setting if it takes a long time to dim the screen during UAC prompts, but if you are annoyed by the dimming of the screen, this is the preference that you need to change to disable it.

This new setting is helpful for users who regularly install new software, run system tools that require UAC prompt confirmation, or make other changes to the operating system that require an UAC prompt.

While it is also possible to disable UAC completely using the same prompt, it is not suggested to do so. While you could do without on user actions such as software installations or executions, you may want the prompt if a software gets installed automatically on the system.

Summary
Stop UAC From Dimming The Desktop in Windows
Article Name
Stop UAC From Dimming The Desktop in Windows
Description
Find out how to configure the UAC prompt in Windows so that the screen is not dimmed anymore when UAC prompts are displayed on the screen.
Author
Publisher
Ghacks Technology News
Logo
Advertisement

Tutorials & Tips


Previous Post: «
Next Post: «

Comments

  1. USA guy doing basic tech support said on July 4, 2021 at 12:18 am
    Reply

    I am bummed that turning off the dimming also makes the UAC prompt weaker. On my laptop with default UAC settings it acts as usual with everything else out of the way and unclickable. The screen slowly, awkwardly dims in steps but doesn’t slow the computer down or affect preformance. When I bring the UAC one notch down to disable dimming the prompt functions like another popup window. So it is indeed less secure with dimming off.

    As bothersome as it is I recommend leaving it on the default setting. If the screen dimming doesn’t cause a problem with your computer then please leave it on even if it’s annoying. I know that I would prefer to not have the screen dim (and the awkward nature of my laptop doing it slowly in steps makes me worry) but it is undoubtedly more secure with the dimming on.

    I hope this helps someone understand. I didn’t fully figure this out until I did some very light experimentation.

  2. Dan A said on March 18, 2019 at 10:13 pm
    Reply

    Please don’t do this. The whole point of this is to open the UAC prompt in the ‘secure desktop’ – the login screen and certain parts of the operating system that require you to press ctrl+alt+delete will also activate this.

    It ‘dims’ the desktop when UAC appears because this prevents tapjacking/keyjacking, a procedure where a mouse or keyboard is emulated to click a certain place on the screen.

    Please, don’t do this. It protects your system.

  3. Mike said on August 13, 2010 at 12:25 am
    Reply

    This doesn’t remove a security feature, it just stops the annoying screen dimming. The UAC still prompts for an ok on a download.

  4. Brant said on February 26, 2010 at 2:38 am
    Reply

    in addition, i should not have to COMPLETELY disable a security feature. to remove an annoying trait that decreases usability. I can’t even figure out how to get it to undim without just rebooting the computer

  5. Brant said on February 26, 2010 at 2:35 am
    Reply

    I personally don’t care what reasoning Microsoft has for the screen dimming feature. I don’t want my screen dim and unreadable ever, and if i cannot have that “option” on my microsoft OS then it may well be time for me to switch to a Mac.

    Additioanlly i shouldn’t have to edit policies to prevent something i just got from annoying the heck out of me

  6. Simon Zerafa said on January 11, 2010 at 6:08 pm
    Reply

    Hi Guys,

    There is a reason why the desktop dims; this is a visible indication that the UAC prompt has control of the input focus and that background apps are frozen to prevent them from messing with the UAC prompt.

    Seriously .. don’t fiddle with UAC it’s there for a reason and while it may not be perfect it may save your OS one day from a serious malware infection.

    Regards

    Simon

    1. Nazzi_boy said on June 5, 2018 at 5:06 pm
      Reply

      Thanks buddy…to confirm this that don’t mess up with UAC things.

  7. Malakai said on January 11, 2010 at 1:25 pm
    Reply

    That’s correct, but…

    If you want to stop dimming, with the “Always Notify” setting It couldn’t be done by this way, but its possible by editing the local policies of the computer.

Leave a Reply

Check the box to consent to your data being stored in line with the guidelines set out in our privacy policy

We love comments and welcome thoughtful and civilized discussion. Rudeness and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please stay on-topic.
Please note that your comment may not appear immediately after you post it.