Enabling and Disabling User Access Control (UAC) in Windows Vista

Windows Vista ships with a strong security feature known as User Access Control. This is a powerful security feature, however, it may annoy both novices and experts alike with the constant dialog boxes it generates, requesting permission to perform system functions. This quick guide demonstrates how to switch it on or off.

Open the Control Panel

The first step in enabling or disabling User Account Control is to open the Control Panel. This can easily be achieved by clicking the start button and selecting "Control Panel" as indicated in the screenshot below:

Opening User Accounts

From the main control panel, double-click to open the "User Accounts" Control Panel Applet. Refer to the screenshot below:

Opening the configuration for User Account Control

From the following windows, click on the item labeled "Turn User Account Control on or off" as per the screenshot below:


Toggle User Account Control on and off

Turn User Account Control (UAC) by ticking or unticking the checkbox as shown in the screenshot below:

Click OK when you have finished your selection, and you are complete.

Further Reading:

User Account Control - Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control

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Omnipass + Windows Vista + Windows Update = Problems?

I recently came into contact with a brand new Lenovo laptop (3000 N100 model) loaded with Windows Vista Business on it. The laptop came preloaded with the Omnipass Fingerprint Security application. This application is written by Softex Incorporated.

I ran into an issue with the application after I performed a normal Windows Update. After the installation of a number of updates, the machine restarted as per normal after applying the updates.

Unfortunately, the user is now presented with duplicated user listings at the Welcome screen. This means that, for example, if you have three users, each user will be displayed twice on the welcome screen. This does not affect usability. On entering Windows Vista, it is confirmed that there are NOT any duplicate accounts within account management.

After performing an uninstall of Omnipass, the problem is resolved. A re-installation of Omnipass should allow the application to function normally.

However, Ronnie Vernon (Microsoft MVP) (link) advises that downloading and running the following application from Softex will resolve the fault without requiring a re-installation:

http://www.softexinc.com/download/UninstMSPwdProv.exe

I have mirrored the download at the following locations:

[Mirror 1] - Hosted on NZTechie.Com
[Mirror 2] - Hosted on Windows SkyDrive
[Mirror 3] - Hosted on MediaFire

If you decide to create a system restore point, then un-install the application, be aware that fingerprints stored and associated with accounts will not be restored when you roll back. You need to use the inbuilt capability of Omnipass to back up the profiles, or re-enroll all your users after a rollback.


In the comments section I have listed all of the Windows Updates that were installed prior to the problem occurring.

I have also located a Discussion Thread regarding the same fault at:

Duplicate icons on Welcome Screen
http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=813976

The main Softex Incorporated website is available at:

Softex Incorporated
http://www.softexinc.com

I have also located the following post which is written by a Microsoft MVP which carries a significant weight with me:

User account appears twice. cannot delete it
http://groups......osoft.public.windows.vista.ad....

How to install a Veo Advanced Webcam on Windows Vista

There are no dedicated drivers available for the Veo Advanced Webcam for use under Windows Vista, and if you attempt to use the standard installation CD you will be greeted with an error stating that the driver is only compatible with Windows 98, ME, 2000, and XP. To make things worse, the Veo website appears to now be defunct.

However, I have successfully installed the drivers supplied with the camera on a Windows Vista machine. The method for getting this camera installed on Windows Vista is to use what is known as compatibility mode.

This is a feature of Windows Vista (and some earlier versions) that allows some older drivers and applications to function with newer Windows Operating systems. In essence, it fools the installation CD into thinking it is installing on a compatible OS. I have had success by using Windows Vista in Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode for this application. [Note: you configure compatibility mode per application, you don't need to run the whole system in such a mode].

One Method

1. Hold down the shift key on your computer to disable the CD from Autoplaying

2. Insert the Veo Advanced Connect Installation CD-ROM & Bundled Sofware CD-ROM in your CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive.

3. Browse to the root (first) directory of the Install CD and locate Autorun.exe

4. Right-Click Autorun.exe and select Properties

5. On the resulting window, move to the 'compatibility' tab and tick the box labeled "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" then select "Windows XP (Service Pack 2).

6. Click "OK"

7. Browse back to the executable (Autorun.exe), run it and install it as per normal.



For Convenience, I have included both ISO and Nero Images of the Veo Advanced Connect Installation CD-ROM & Bundled Sofware CD-ROM in the links below.

The install CD claims compatibility with Windows 98/ME/2000/XP. As per this post, it is compatible with Windows Vista when compatibility mode is used.

Veo Advanced Connect Installation CD-ROM & Bundled Sofware [Version: AdvCntV008-VIM]
Nero Image [Mirror 1] ISO Image [Mirror 1]

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