1. You could just disable it...
2. Why do people complain about this so much more then whats being done in linux?

shugo

Wow that dialogue window looks hideous!

And Norton attaching itself to my system? Um... no.

TomeOne

I would have been the first to blast Norton a few years back but they've really cleaned up in the last 6-9 months. Their UI is much cleaner and more importantly; they have really reduced the drain on resources when it runs. It's not right for everyone but for non-tech people Norton makes a great security suite.

geekinpain

@jsmorley:

People bitched about a 'lack' of security. MS gave them security.

Now people bitch about the security.

ZombieRace

I would be very hesitant of letting something from the worst software maker in the world (Symantec) get in as deep as system permissions.

johnsmith1234

let me just say i won't be using this, disable the call back feature if you do use it.

artfuldodga

To be honest I just turn UAC off. Almost every user who has it turned on just clicks "ok" when it pops up without even thinking anyway, it's the classic "cried wolf" syndrome at its finest. That, combined with the "virtual folders" stuff that UAC introduces, making it a pain to find stuff, makes UAC just a losing proposition for me.

If UAC limited itself to just warning you when you

Install a device driver
Install a Windows service
Turn off security programs like the firewall or defender

I would probably leave it on. Having UAC pop up every time you try to install any program or change any system setting was just a huge mistake for Microsoft.

jsmorley

Same for me sadly, I just don't trust Norton Software anymore.

trstn

the two worst things to install on your computer: anything from norton's or aol

MuglyTheWorm

Norton is still around?

Sorry, I'll pass on their junk.

Hestika

Wow, Norton. I used to really like them, back in the pre-Windows, Norton Utilities days. Then someone installed some Symantec av/security software on my PC and I completely lost all faith in them.

jarmod

@jsmorley: I hear most of the blame goes to the programmers of third party applications who have had the freedom to write software that can modify anything in the system. Then again, things like changing the clock requiring a UAC prompt feels a little silly to me.

Kyang

Norton + Vista = Instant Death

Just downgrade to XP, then you won't have a computer that presumes to know better than you :)

garbanzo-bean

My! What a lot of bitterness against Norton. FWIW, re gurudude's comment, I've heard others say the same about a number of the major antivirus makers. Not saying it's inaccurate, but that Symantec/Norton are hardly alone in that racket. Well back to the software this post is about: I'm still wallowing in Vistaland, and keep UAC enabled like a good kid. I've installed the application mentioned, and it's far superior to the built-in UAC's dialog. Microsoft ought to take a hint and issue an update so the default UAC behaves like this.

anaxamaxan

Re: people saying Norton software being horrible... um yeah. Completely agree.

Here's a better plan:
1) install firefox
2) install adblock plus add-on for firefox
3) install clamwin free antivirus
4) install windows defender
5) turn off UAC forever
6) don't ever install Norton anything

and of course, number 7

7) don't use Vista. downgrade to xp if necessary. if you must have the Vista 'look', get the Royale Noire skin that in very lightweight fashion makes the xp ui black. That's 80% of Vista right there.

crackp1pe

My step daughter has Vista on her laptop- me? Probably won't update my OS from XP until Windows 7... On the rare occasion that I have to utilize her system to install software or clean it up, I'll live w/ the default UAC popping up every time. Took me three days to get AOL and Norton off of there the first time! Word to the wise- STAY AWAY FROM NORTON!!! IMHO- NOT worth the hassle!

whaddupyo

@shugo:

I have wondered about that myself. I think it's that Ubuntu / linux is asking the question "is this really you?" when you have to type in your password to change system level stuff, which feels comforting. The system is looking out for you. With Windows the question is more "are you sure you're not an idiot?" which just annoying... ;-)

jsmorley

@jarmod:
I'm sorry but nothing holds a candle to AVG Free and ZoneAlarm for security.

daftrok

I'll be checking this software out, what's the worst that could happen? :)

jquack

As a one-time contractor for Norton, I'd *never* let them have any software on my machine... If you think that a company that pretty much exists on the fear people have of viruses doesn't do everything it can to be sure that those threats remain and get lots of public attention, then you'll probably also believe that the US Govt will one day tell you that you can have all your civil liberties back because the terrorists are all defeated, LOL!!!! (Wanna guess what kind of software we wrote for them? Hint: it wasn't ANTI-virus code, LOL!)

gurudude

@ZombieRace:

I'm all for security if implemented right. My complaint is with the implementation which is so broad and unintelligent that it has about as much meaning as the color coded security threat level chart from Homeland Security.

jsmorley

Didn't Norton's latest anti-everything get classed as malware because it was almost impossible to remove using conventional methods?

I think I'll pass regardless.

will

@crackp1pe:
What's the other 20%?

Kyang

Norton is crap. Sorry, truth hurts.

berribrand

How does this compare to the previously highlighted
[www.replaceuac.com] ?

Xanderificus

I really appreciate Microsoft producing a broken UAC that they will only fix if you pay them again for Windows 7, which will no doubt also have something broken. Monopolies are in someways beneficial, but it's time to switch to Linux when MS expects to paid more for worse products.

orlo

@crackp1pe: Why would you have to follow #7, if you follow #1-6?

Vista isn't just the look, but the added features as well (Windows search - which was voted one of the best searching tools on this very website, DX10 - for gamers, sidebar, improved start menu, file previews, etc.

berribrand

RE: anaxamaxan

Oh yea, when your business is built on the existence of something, it's a good idea to make sure that something continues to exist... I'm pretty cynical overall tho too... I doubt that Pfizer would market a 5$ cancer prevention pill when there's much more to be made in treatments... But that's just me (maybe)...

On this particular software, I'd have to agree that the *concept* is better, UAC is a bit of an overreaction and if it worked as advertised (I'm sure it does, I'd just be concerned about what *else* it does) it'd be fine... I just wouldn't support Norton out of principle (not that those same principles didn't let me make plenty of money back in the day from them)... I triple boot Ubuntu/Vista/OSx86 and don't see the UAC much since Vista is just there mainly for a few games but it really only seemed annoying at first (when setting Vista up) and a little when installing new stuff...

gurudude

Ditto what the vast majority thinks about both Vista and Symantec. I got duped into installing Norton Security Suite on my new laptop when I got a great price, and won't be making that mistake again. What a clumsy, hoggish piece of crap. As for the Vista Home "Premium" that came with the laptop, I quickly just turned off the "user account" feature, and I will be "up-grading" back to XP here in the near future.

Bottom line: If it has anything to do with Norton or Windows it cannot be trusted, period.

OGolly

I'd rather deliberately install a virus that install anything labeled "Norton." At least I have some idea what the virus will do, and it's likely to be better-written (tighter, less-CPU-intensive code) than any "Norton" product.

Deadhacker

vista can also be very lightweight, believe me.. I've pretty much done it.

31 processes at startup, extremely cool idle temps, 5.9GB vista ultimate install (5.8 now.) not really bad at all, probably beats a min OSX install size. if you have a decent system there is no excuse not to run vista.

[static.zooomr.com]
[static.zooomr.com]
[static.zooomr.com]
[static.zooomr.com]

fastest OS i've ever had running, having 2.4ghz core2 etc helps of course, but do not say vista can't be lightweight and extremely fast, blows my XP box out of the water.

artfuldodga

Norton has been a horrible program for some time now.

For the past two years, Symantec has been working directly with corporate Geek Squad on making a product that they would actually be willing to recommend to customers.

Norton 2009 is basically that product now. If you haven't checked it out, try the trail version from their website. It'll install in under 2 minutes (which is sick). It uses a lot less CPU then just about any other anti-virus out there.

And if you're wondering, yes, I'm a geek squad agent and have been using the 2009 beta for about 5 months now for testing. I hated Norton 2004 - 2007 and would NEVER have recommended it. Just trying to say, give Norton a shot before you completely knock it based on what it used to be.

suva

I like to keep my UAC turned off, and just because this has a nicer UI doesn't make me want to turn UAC on.

Exilm

@artfuldodga: Why should I need an excuse "not to run Vista?" I was under the impression that a free market economy gives me the right to run whatever I choose to run. That being the case, I prefer to run an OS that is stable, reliable, lightweight in terms of resource loads, open-source, free of charge, well-supported by more than a quarter-million independent developers, and designed by someone who has a clue how people actually work (instead of designed by the Marketing department).

YMMV.

Deadhacker

I have no idea why people are saying use XP on this article. Dead horse. Stop beating it. This article is about using something in vista. Stop talking about xp.

I've actually gotten used to the UAC...but I hope microsoft puts a "don't bug me again about this" in the next service pack.

Don't don't install anything from norton/symantec please!! I'm tired of reformatting friends and family members computers when they try to uninstall that crap.

Ajh

Beta and Norton are two words that scare the hell out of me when used in such close proximity to each other.

Bill Clark

@shugo: exactly, i'd rather do a single mouse click than constantly be typing my password in

MuglyTheWorm

@suva:

The damage has been done...

thexile

For those who would, for some odd reason, still install this, make sure you read the "fine print" from the Norton website... "The User Account Control tool will collect user input as well as information on applications causing prompts. The data will be processed to improve the comprehensiveness and robustness of the white list, which will be updatable while running the tool online."

djmorgan

@Ev:

Same reason people don't run Linux as root, I guess: to protect themselves from their own dumb mistakes.

joeljkp

I have had UAC turned off right from the get go of having my new machine. What I don't get is what all the hype is about.

Can someone make an argument for keeping UAC on?

I think the best way to keep my computer secure is to use networks I trust and try to avoid downloading suspicious files.

Any thoughts ?

Ev

I bet it's been said, but lemme get this straight. NORTON has created a utility that's purpose is to alleviate the nagging of someone else's software? That's just rich.

jupiterthunder

@jsmorley: Well, when I know I'm installing something, the UAC is easy to click through without thinking about (more than once if you're installing iTunes, since they like to point that out) - it's when you don't expect it and it pops up that people pay attention, and that is usually when it needs to be scrutinized.

Colage

@gurudude: Yea I mean the I LOVE YOU virus and Nimda were no big deal... That is unless you actually worked for a company with more than 5 machines and god forbid you had SQL running.

I can understand animosity towards Norton, but the 2 big providers are always on top of big viruses like stink on shnikes. That is why you pay a premium.

If you want to even suggest that a virus was put out there by an AV company (I wouldn't doubt it) look no further than the CIH virus. There have been a couple cutting edge viruses that have hit and some no name AV has the fix in a couple hours. Those are the guys you should be talking about.

Let me guess, you guys also wrote BSOD apps for Apple to squeeze into Quicktime to blow up Windows? I call shenanigans.

UnderLoK

@Deadhacker: i'm just clearing up misconceptions =]

artfuldodga

@johnsmith1234: actually, there is a password required to use UAC.
IF YOU DON'T LOG INTO THE SYSTEM AS THE ADMINISTRATOR!

That's what people seem to forget, when installing most flavors of *nix, you automatically create the ROOT account as well as your USER account.
so when you use SUDO to elevate, you are elevating to the ROOT account from a USER account, and thus are requiring a password for the ROOT user.

No different at all than if you signed into your Windows box as a Limited User instead of the Administrator.

The difference is that Windows hasn't taken the extra step to always make each user created into a Limited User and reserve the Administrator account to be a true ROOT level account only.

Buddha916

@WindPowa: A google search comes out to a big DO NOT USE IT. I looked...

Ajh

@Kyang: not if you understand that the system time is heavily integrated into everything that can be scheduled within the operating system and other tasks.

what if i had a script scheduled to run at a certain time to ensure that some fiel was always backed up and up to date to a central location, and then little johnny happened to be on the computer and was screwing around and changed the time by 12 hours and made the scheduled task not run?
then of course the inevitable failure occurs and i will just revert back to the saved file.....which is not there of course.

oops.

system time is SYSTEM time, you shouldn't be able to just change it as a normal user.

Personally, I've found the people who bitch the most about UAC are the same ones who log into their computers as Administrators ALL THE TIME, and don't understand that this is fail #1 of secure computing.

Buddha916

@MuglyTheWorm: Of course, if you use Synaptic Package Manager, its quite possible to install all of your programs in one sitting by typing your password once. Much better than downloading and installing all of your Windows programs seperately, IMO.

eeefresh

@whaddupyo: A machine came preinstalled with Vista and an NIS demo. There was no indication that NIS was running (no Norton tray icons, no popups that it was past the 60 day trial) however there were half a dozen background Symantec processes. Uninstalling NIS HALFED the boot time by cutting two minutes off the boot time. This is for a product that supposedly wasn't active.

I'm convinced Norton preinstalls are responsible for half the performance problems people have with Windows PCs and Microsoft should sue Symantec.

Vista mildly tweaked on new hardware doesn't perform noticeably worse than XP.

johnsmith1234

This really is a shocking good product. The ability to mark particular actions as "do not ask again" is REALLY nice for stupidly safe things like running CCleaner. Try it out, you might actually be surprised at how well it works. Oh, and it's actually quicker than the standard UAC prompts.

xxdesmus

installing norton = slower pc

qrius

Why doesn't Microsoft issue a patch to address this issue in Vista?

Besides, there was already [replaceuac.com] before Norton did its own knock-off. (Note: I never tested [replaceuac.com] so use at your own risk)

WindPowa

@suva: While you have a point(Mcaffee is somewhat better than it used to be as well.)...I still can't trust it.

Ajh

@jsmorley: No... Windows UAC is the exact thing as Sudo for Linux. It asks when elevated permissions are needed. MS even made it easier to use... no password necessary. How is it that Linux is "looking out for you" and Windows it's "Are you sure you're not an idiot" when it's doing the exact same thing.

johnsmith1234

@geekinpain: I was beta testing NIS 2009. On a system that met the requirements the graphical interface of the control panel was using 25% of the CPU time whenever it was open.

No Norton doesn't make a "great security suite" for non-tech people. It brings systems to a crawl and it misses stuff. NOD32 is much better for non tech people and tech alike. Or Avast if you want something free.

johnsmith1234

I'm quite torn over this. On one hand, the horror memories of my Norton Internet Security days are still persistent. On the other hand, how bad can this be? Norton used to be a name that stood for quality. They might have gone back to their roots. Right?

Protector one

Many people here obviously never used Norton 2009 product - I suggest giving at least a try. I was one of the beta testers, and I tried their final version also, and it performed quite admirably. It installs in 1 to 2 minutes, uses far less resources, and has a great self-learning firewall that never nags me anything, while still offering advanced users a way so that it will alert every internet activity. I found it unnecessary, however, because it did a great job automatically configuring each program that uses internet connection.

If it was a 2003-2006 version from symantec, I would definitely tell everyone to stay away. But 2009 version is a win to most non-technical people and maybe even some advanced users.

Back to the topic, I think it depends on if you really want to trust norton way or microsoft way of UACing you. Personally, I'd stick with microsoft's way.

solgae1784

@daftrok obviously you have never used nod32 & a router...

haveacigaro

@Ajh: there's just a few XPers left. never mind their boring outdated lower class comments. just point and laugh...

MuglyTheWorm

@solgae1784: As I said in my previous message

"I was beta testing NIS 2009. On a system that met the requirements the graphical interface of the control panel was using 25% of the CPU time whenever it was open."

25% of CPU for a GUI that isn't actually doing anything?

EPIC FAIL.

johnsmith1234

Yes, it's true, Norton has really changed, but it will take a lot of time and therapy to get over my Norton hatred.

antman70

+1 for this utility. It works great and now I don't have to disable UAC

cu_shane

I have no problems with Vista's UAC. Really. I started using vista after SP1, and the UAC just shows up a few times, usually when I try to install something, or when another program tries to install something. UAC helped me prevent from installing those annoying self-updaters and so forth. It's a good feature. Mac OS X has something very similar to that. Stop with the MS bashing just for the sake of it.

franksands

@johnsmith1234: Ya, completely agree w/ you! I have no beef w/ Vista- from what little I have played w/ it, it seems to be pretty user friendly. XP Pro on my 4 year old machine is still doing everything I need it to do tho, so I'm content to wait another year or so for the next OS. (I'm following that old addage of upgrading every other OS)

Norton is what gives me the shudders! To quote Left Ear from "The Italian Job"--- I HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE!

whaddupyo

@geekinpain:
That would be completely true if I didn't have to go onto machines with new, up-to-date norton AV's and remove viruses for them. The sad part is that they don't even know they have any virus's until I do a scan with a decent program and then it removes it for them. Norton didn't even notice anything the whole time.

Usually the customer will notice the computer running slow or doing other malware like activities, instead of being told by their horrid AV program.

Darkest Daze

I like Norton's corporate software. Their consumer software can take a hike.

greenbot

The reason UAC bombed so bad is that Windows has way more admin level software then Linux file restrictions. Linux typically requires you to type in your password. Of course you could say the other reason that linux gets less complaints is that it's user base are all techies. :)

bigngamer

@berribrand: I use Norton Symantec Endpoint Protection, and I've tested all sorts of viruses with it, and AVG Free 8.0. Norton let nothing in, and AVG, to my disappointment, let in 5 viruses.

Endpoint is great because it replaces Windows Firewall and Windows Defender, and I feel much more secure with this, over Windows Firewall and Windows Defender.

As for performance issues... I completely understand where all you Norton-haters are coming from. I absolutely hated Norton for years because I admit, their software was garbage and it slowed down my computer so much. With Endpoint, I found that my computer is just as fast as it used to be with AVG 8.0 Free.

Of course, Symantec Endpoint Protection isn't free... however, there are umm... how shall I put this in a legal way.. *coughs* BITTORRENTS *coughs* MININOVA.ORG *coughs* *clears throat* Sorry, I caught legalitis over the weekend. I highly recommend Endpoint.

SJRNWT

@johnsmith1234: because windows has a different(read: more inclusive) idea of what tasks ought to require administrator permissions than linux does. Also, UAC still pops up when you are logged in as an administrator...so while linux asks if you want to temporarily change to administrator instead of a limited user, Vista asks if you want to change to administrator instead of...administrator.

Tachyon0118

@Buddha916: I think the point is that many users find it more convenient to control on who sits at the keyboard than to have their operating system literally babysit/raise their children for them.

Tachyon0118

@jarmod: I agree. Back in the 90s, Norton made all the good utilities. Now the first thing I load and run on a new computer is Norton Uninstall. They should give away their other software and charge people $50 to buy Uninstall.

dchall8

@SJRNWT: if you use your coughing fit sources to get NOrton, why not use them to get a better app like ESET Smart Security? low resource usage, silent running, great protection...

garbanzo-bean

@orlo: If Linux started getting real people's suggestions instead of continuing a geek OS for a geek community, I would jump at the first second, but I fall in the 95% of population that can't use a terminal or a command prompt.

VakeroRokero

@Deadhacker: you should try Vista 64, most old stuff doesn't work, most of that stuff uses underdeveloped drivers, even itunes just got a 64 edition about a month ago, if you go a new machine, you should just to 64 bits, I was using Windows 32 and it was very stable yet most big apps made it crash, windows 64 would be my first choice but nothing works and all 64 drivers are getting vista 64 not windows xp 64 support. The only thing I can't get to work is my tripp lite UPS, but from what I researched, those are the only UPS that don't work on Vista 64.

VakeroRokero

1. Norton 2008 and 2009 products are a far cry from their earlier bloatware. They are actually quite good.

2. Norton in 2009 is focusing a lot on user submitted data which they analyze to generate app fingerprints and whitelist the known ones.

3. As you can expect, replacing UAC in Vista requires some pretty low level hackerish code that is by definition insecure. Here's how they did it -

[translate.google.com]

[translate.google.com]

I leave it upto to decide if this kind of invasive hooking is safe or not.

MrCrispy

@MuglyTheWorm: The list goes:
1 - AOL
2 - McAfee
3 - Norton
4 - That pointless, crappy bloatware that comes with commercial ISPs.

drewgraham

@franksands: I'd agree with you if the UAC prompt wasn't so startling. The whole screen goes black!

If it was just a dialog box that asked for my password, that would be great!

I can't stand "self learning software". I want software that always works the same and I totally hate shifting UIs. I guess that's why I like iTunes over Microsoft Media Player, even though iTunes is locked down with DRM and loads extra services.

ericsprojects

@Protector one: I tried it (Norton UAC) and it isn't any better. Same black screen, then a Norton prompt instead of a Windows prompt. What's the difference?

Now, it I go a dialog box that asked for my password, that would be entirely different. I'd go for that.

-Eric

ericsprojects

I still don't trust Norton, I was often called in by various people at my college dorms to look at their computer, and every time it was a virus issue, they were running Norton with the latest updates.

I would uninstall Norton, install Avast, run a boot-time scan and every time I would dig up several viruses.

theblackdog

@Ev: UAC is just plain annoying. It's so jarring to have the entire screen go black and a prompt show up.

I used Vista4Experts to shut UAC down and haven't looked back.

I don't bother with AntiVirus software either.

Why would I load my computer up with software (and slow it down) just to keep other software from slowing it down..

ericsprojects

@drewgraham: Couldn't agree more! Norton has sadly fallen into the "bloatware to avoid" short list. I just hope that (if Norton UAC works well) they can start changing their model and pull themselves out.

eightseventeen

@ericsprojects: Thanks. Guess I'll just turn it off all together one of these days, then.

Protector one

I wonder how many UAC prompts you will have to get through to install that?

ScaryDave

@solgae1784: the astroturfers are busy here, aren't they?

Deadhacker

@suva: "Hemlock used to be really bitter, but it tastes a lot better now."

Give me a break. The only thing worse than Norton/Symantec is CA (or Geek Squad).

Deadhacker

@shugo:

1: Linux asks you to elevate privileges once per program. Not repeatedly.
2: Linux doesn't ask for elevated privileges for trivial things like deleting desktop shortcuts.
3: Linux requires your password to pass the dialog, thus negating the "blind click-through" problem -- you are forced to pay attention.

HeartBurnKid, creepy morbid freak

@VakeroRokero: You obviously have not even tried Ubuntu.

And by "real people" do you mean the same people who think that moving all of the controls (and sometimes renaming them) with each new "version" of MS Windows is a good idea? The same people who think that your Programs menu should never show you anything you haven't used yet, or that your Internet Favorites list should hide URLs that you only use infrequently? The people who, really, think you're too stupid to use a real computer, and would prefer that you had an AOL account and an Etch-A-Sketch?

No, thanks.

Deadhacker

Um, do you have some kind of custom theme that's making the dialog ugly or is this how they released it? I'm sorry developers, but if you're not taking the time to spit-shine the UI, what should make me think the internals are any better?

pbj

@ZombieRace: The problem isn't that MS gave people security, it's that MS gave them Kabuki Security -- i.e. security that makes a big show of "protecting you" while doing nothing to make you less vulnerable.

It's the same complaint most travelers have about the TSA: It's annoying, and not very effective.

HeartBurnKid, creepy morbid freak

@VakeroRokero: My "work" machine here has Vista Ultimate (with as many "extras" as I can find removed, so that I can actually get some work done), and there are several Vista 64 machines in the room. Most of the PCs here run XP Pro, because we need to get a couple things done each day, rather than spending all our time removing unwanted and unauthorized widgets that serve no purpose. At home, Ubuntu is the OS of choice. World of Warcraft runs well under Ubuntu, so I don't need Windows.

Deadhacker

Norton is the shit.

Oops, I mean, Norton is shit.

Just turn off UAC.

P.

oceanclub

@Tachyon0118: have you ever worked in an office environment?

Buddha916

This is terrifying. Install this program and Norton will record all of the files you run. Look at the FAQ:

Q: What does Norton Labs get out of my testing?

A: DATA! Each time you see a prompt, the Norton Labs UAC Replacement sends meta information about what caused the prompt, and why, to our server. This data will be used, in aggregate, to help Norton Labs build a white list that can be shipped with the UAC replacement and LiveUpdated as needed.

Q: What do you mean by "meta information"?

A: The meta information contains file name and file hashes for the EXE that caused the prompt and the EXE that is to be the recipient of the elevated privileges. In addition, the meta information contains file name and file hashes for DLLs that were active in either of the two EXEs, response information (what option did the user choose, how quickly, and did they choose "do not ask me again"), and date/time info.

Rick S. Passero

@gurudude: Do you seriously expect us to believe Norton had you writing viruses for them??

-Cough-

Sure, I wouldn't put it past some of the little guys, but like you said, Norton pretty much exists on AV paranoia. Do you really think they'd risk their entire livelihood on such a prospect as you are proposing? If it could be proven that they were subcontracting for services that went against the very thing they write software to protect people from, they'd be finished. Simple as that. I'm just not buying it...

I became disillusioned with Norton many years ago, but I don't think they're stupid...

HeffeD

@crackp1pe: But Clamwin Antivirus is a very poor performer.

HeffeD

@garbanzo-bean: I'm downloading it right now, but in case this doesn't work, can you send me a link to the one you recommend please?

SJRNWT

@VakeroRokero: Yeah you're right. Clicking your mouse three times and copying and pasting something into the terminal is so hard, only geeks are capable of doing such an arduous task.

Come on, give me a break. I'm sick of people complaining about how hard it is to use an OS. What do you expect? You just sit there use it the way you think it should work, and it just works? Of course not, the style, and ease of access of an OS is based on a general demographic. You can't expect an OS to be absolutely perfect for you.

Stop being so lazy and take 10 minutes out of your life to learn about the OS, instead of complaining about how all OS's suck. Personally, I use Vista primarily, and I also have SUSE and Ubuntu. I'm currently deciding on which Linux version I should choose as my primary OS.

SJRNWT

@SJRNWT: @SJRNWT:

"You can't expect an OS to be absolutely perfect for you.

Stop being so lazy and take 10 minutes out of your life to learn about the OS"

Maybe this OS that you love so much... is less perfect for someone than another OS.

OSes are like religions: it doesn't matter which one you use, you're still going to rot in a box.

dekay46

@crackp1pe: If you really want the Vista look with XP, you can always download and install the Vista Inspirat Bricopack from CrystalXP:

[www.crystalxp.net]

Willie D.

@Xerloq: It was a free beta of NIS 2009.

Xerloq

@dchall8: I like NIS 2009. It's worked for me since my computer went wonky on an AVG 8 upgrade. I went to AVAST when the beta ran out because I won't pay for AVS when good enough free alternatives exist.

I think they're starting to change. Maybe I'll buy it when they offer the "free-upgrade" after rebates again. I think I bought SystemWorks Pro once in 2000 and never paid again.

As for this utility, I'd use it if my Vista install wasn't customized w/o UAC with vLite.

Xerloq

its a good concept but if you do not download files you have a firewall anti virus etc and you are an advanced user i do not think that this is a necessary precaution.

22flames

@garbanzo-bean:
Now i'm sorry, but this just isn't true. I use vista for several hours a day, and frankly, i'm in love. I also have Norton 360 installed on my computer, and have for two years - only one issue to date, and that was taken care of very quickly by their AWESOME tech support. Also, as far as XP goes - I just got done fixing a friends XP laptop that was running AVG free - 18,000 files infected with malware. My computer? I've been running it for a year, and downloading files (thank god for torrents!) quite often, and not a single virus to date. So frankly, I see NO problem with Vista, and so far, no complaints with my Norton product - on either my Vista laptop (3 GB RAM) or my XP desktop (256 MB RAM). It doesn't slow it down, and it keeps my computers clean. So Symantec, keep up the good work - I've been with you since NIS 2005, and I plan on staying.

SwarupaAnubis