Consider the following scenario:

• You use Microsoft Windows Installer 4.0 on a Windows Vista-based computer.
• You author the msidbControlAttributesElevationShield control attribute in the Control table to request the User Account Control (UAC) shield icon to appear on the Windows Installer native UI PushButton control.

In this scenario, the UAC shield icon does not appear on the Windows Installer native UI PushButton control during maintenance mode. This problem can cause user disorientation because the UAC shield icon is not present to warn the user that the UAC credential dialog box is about to appear.

If you’re like me, you may block some of the programs that normally want to run at startup so they don’t eat all your RAM and processor. After doing this, you may consistently get notifications reminding you that a program is being blocked. Here’s why you might be getting them, and how to make them stop. Keep reading →

• VistaBase
  A Vista specific site (though it also has a section for Windows Server 2008) that has over 300 articles that span different Vista related topics.
  (tags: Resources )
• Cozi Central now works with Vista!
  Cozi Central helps busy families manage schedules, appointments, shopping and communications from wherever you are. The PC client is now Vista compatible.
  (tags: Software Compatibility )

Keep reading →

Lifehacker had a feature download today that caught my eye. Called TweakUAC, this utility allows you to quickly ‘quiet’ Vista’s UAC (you know, the one that keep asking if you want to allow things). There are many ways to do this already, but TweakUAC does it without a reboot, which makes it much nicer for quickly turning off and back on again. Keep reading →

After you turn on User Account Control in Windows Vista, programs may be unable to access some network locations. This problem may also occur when you use the command prompt to access a network location.

Note: To turn on User Account Control, you click Allow in a User Account Control dialog box.

When you try to install a shared printer when you have User Account Control (UAC) turned off in Windows Vista, you may receive an error message that resembles the following:

Connect to a Printer

Windows cannot connect to the printer.
The specified Print Monitor is unknown

This problem occurs after you click Install driver in the Printers dialog box. This problem may occur if the printer driver has a language monitor as part of the driver package.

A PowerToy to make it easier to elevate the privileges of some tasks, like scripts. Keep reading →

• Microsoft Announces New Vista SKU Specifically for Virtual Deployment
  Yet another version of Vista to choose from. Thankfully, typical users won’t need to consider it in their options.
  (tags: Virtualization License )
• ReadyBoost Flash Drives Lack Significant Boost
  Unless you have a very fast USB drive, you may not be speeding up Vista with ReadyBoost.
  (tags: ReadyBoost )
• NVIDIA + Chutzpah = WTF?
  Nvidia + Vista = WOW NOW is what they’re saying. So far, most users would agree that it’s more like Nvidia + Vista = NO WOW
  (tags: Nvidia PR )
• 2-Step Vista UAC Hack Revealed
  It requires the user to provide elevated privileges, so it’s really a social engineering hack, more than a hack of Vista itself.
  (tags: Hack UAC )
• Microsoft Simplifies Home Computing with Windows Rally Technologies
  A press release covering the details of Vista’s Rally Technologies, which simplify configuring devices with Vista.
  (tags: Device Rally PR )
• NVIDIA ForceWare Release 158.43 Windows Vista 32-bit
  Another update to Nvidea ForceWare drivers. Many fixes, improved performance, and added support for other cards.
  (tags: Video Drivers Nvidia )
• The Windows Vista Security Blog is Back
  After a break, they’ll be posting regularly again. They include a link to a whitepaper called “Security Enhancements in Windows Vista”.
  (tags: Security Microsoft )
• SanDisk Solid State Drive Receives Windows Vista Certification
  Shouldn’t be long before you’ll be able to pop one of these in your laptop!
  (tags: Disk SanDisk Certification )
• A Sample Microsoft Security Bulletin
  How nice! Microsoft shares with us an example of what the new Security Bulletins will look like.
  (tags: Security Microsoft )

It requires the user to provide elevated privileges, so it’s really a social engineering hack, more than a hack of Vista itself. Keep reading →

One of Apple’s Mac vs PC ads that makes fun of Vista’s UAC feature.