Windows 7 to Have Toned-Down User Account Control

According to the Microsoft blog "Engineering Windows 7," the next version of Windows will tone down and streamline the User Account Control that so many Vista users are frustrated with.

While many could provide a laundry list of reasons why they prefer to use Windows XP over Vista, one issue at the top of most PC users list is the User Account Control (UAC) that was introduced with the often-criticized OS. While some of it’s features can be turned off or disabled, the fact remains that many do not like the constant double-checking the OS does for things as simple as opening a program or installing a plugin.

Well, it seems as though Microsoft has gotten the message, and according to ZDNet, will work to fine tune UAC to be more effective and less invasive. “We’ve heard loud and clear that you are frustrated," said Ben Fathi, president for core OS development. "We still want to provide you control over what changes can happen to your system, but we want to provide you a better overall experience."

To do this, explains Fathi, Microsoft will broaden the control you have over UAC notifications, as well as provide additional and more relevant information in the UI. One complaint that seems to resonate with users across the board is the amount of duplicate messages one receives about a repeated action. To solve this, user will get “better and more obvious control over the (UAC) mechanism," said Fathi.

According to comments from members of the Windows team, Vista’s UAC has a significant role to play in making the latest OS the most secure version of Windows yet. Clearly the measures put into place are good ones, but now work must go into striking the balance of having strong security without making the user feel restricted from accomplishing normal tasks.

Windows 7 is promising a lot to consumers, ranging from super-speedy boot times to better-defined different versions of the OS. Microsoft may find even more fans if they follow through with a true UAC rework. Microsoft is in damage control mode. With yet another extension on Windows XP, set to keep the OS around until the summer of 2009, and early builds of Windows 7 going to those who attend Microsoft’s Professional Developers Conference in October and Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in November, as well as a rumored beta before Christmas, one thing is clear : Windows 7 is in full swing up in Redmond, and Microsoft desperately wants to make the disappointing present a forgettable past as soon as they possibly can.