How to Enable or Disable UAC for the Windows 11 Built-in Administrator
Want to take more control over system changes in Windows 11? You can enable or disable User Account Control (UAC) for the built-in administrator account.
Windows 11’s built-in administrator account has total system control. By default, when enabled, it bypasses regular UAC prompts, letting you make big changes without needing to confirm them each time.
UAC is a crucial security feature that safeguards your PC. It requires explicit approval before critical system modifications occur. Leaving UAC disabled for the built-in administrator can increase security risks.
This tutorial walks you through the steps to toggle UAC settings for this powerful account. We’ll help you manage security and prevent unwanted system alterations.
Enable or disable User Account Control for the built-in administrator by opening Local Security Policy (secpol.msc) or Registry Editor (regedit). Modify the “Admin Approval Mode for the Built-in Administrator account” setting or the “FilterAdministratorToken” registry value, then restart your PC.
Turn UAC On or Off Using Local Security Policy
You can turn User Account Control (UAC) on or off for the built-in administrator in Windows 11 using the Local Security Policy Editor, a tool that lets you change security settings without editing the registry.
Why use this method? This method is easy to follow and avoids the need to edit sensitive registry files.
What happens when done? UAC settings for the built-in administrator will change immediately after you restart.
Steps:
- Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
- Type
secpol.mscand press Enter. - In the window that opens, go to Local Policies → Security Options on the left side.
- Look for the setting called “User Account Control: Admin Approval Mode for the Built-in Administrator account” on the right side.
- Double-click that setting.
- Choose Enabled to turn UAC on or Disabled to turn it off.
- Click OK.
- Close the Local Security Policy Editor.
To turn UAC on or off for the built-in administrator using the Local Security Policy, first press the Windows key + R to open the Run box and type secpol.msc, then press Enter.
Remember to restart your computer after making changes.
Turn UAC On or Off Using Registry Editor
Changing User Account Control (UAC) settings for the built-in administrator in Windows 11 can also be done using the Registry Editor, but this method requires extra care because mistakes can affect your system.
Why use this method? This method offers direct control over the setting.
What happens when done? Your UAC change will apply after you restart your PC.
Steps:
- ⚠️ Requires admin privileges: Press Windows key + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. - If prompted by UAC, click Yes to continue.
- In the Registry Editor, navigate to this path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System - If the System folder is missing, right-click on Policies, select New → Key, and name it System.
- Right-click on the right side pane inside System and select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name this new value
FilterAdministratorToken. - Double-click the
FilterAdministratorTokenentry. - Choose Decimal as the base.
- Set the value data:
- 1 to turn UAC ON for the built-in administrator.
- 0 to turn UAC OFF.
- Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
- Restart your computer to apply the changes.
Summary
The built-in administrator account in Windows 11 has full control and can run without UAC prompts, but using it this way can be risky as changes might happen without warning.- The built-in administrator account in Windows 11 has full control and can run without asking for UAC permission.
- Using this account without UAC can be risky, as dangerous changes might happen without warning.
- You can turn UAC on or off for this account by using either the Local Security Policy Editor or the Registry Editor.
- Always restart your PC after making these changes so they take effect.
- If you want to learn more about enabling the built-in administrator account, check out this guide: How to Enable the Administrator in Windows 11.
How do I turn off UAC for all users in 🪟 Windows 11?
Changing or disabling User Account Control: Click Start, and then search for and open Change User Account Control settings. Move the slider up and down to adjust the User Account Control settings. To turn off User Account Control, move the slider to the bottom on the Never notify setting.
How do I run UAC as administrator?
A quick way to run something as administrator and trigger the UAC prompt is by right-clicking the Start button, selecting Terminal (Admin), and then clicking ‘Yes’ if you’re on an administrator-capable account.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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