User Account Control (UAC) is designed to prevent unauthorized changes to Windows. When an action requires administrator-level permissions, UAC prompts you to approve or deny the change. This helps protect your Windows device from malicious software and unauthorized modifications.

Learn how to add user accounts in Windows 10 and Windows 11. With an account, each person has separate files, browser favorites, and a private desktop.

Follow these steps to automatically diagnose and repair Windows security problems by turning on UAC, DEP protection, Windows Firewall, and other Windows security options and features. Select the Download button on this page.

User account access in Windows. Windows 11 Windows 10. This article describes the sign in, sign out, lock, and switch user account actions in Windows. Expand the following sections to learn more.

Windows 11 Windows 10. The sign-in options in Windows serve various purposes to enhance your user account security and sign in convenience. You can access the sign-in options from the Settings app. In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Accounts > Sign-in options or use the following shortcut: Sign-in options.

Fix problems with common system maintenance tasks. Describes how to use User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista. UAC stops the automatic installation of unauthorized applications and prevents unintended changes to system settings.

If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, use the System File Checker to scan Windows and restore your files. Though the steps below might look complicated at first glance, just follow them in order, step-by-step, and we’ll try to get you back on track. Run the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe)

Windows 10. Credential Manager lets you view and delete your saved credentials for signing in to websites, connected applications, and networks. To open Credential Manager, type credential manager in the search box on the taskbar and select Credential Manager Control panel.

Sign in using Safe Mode. "We can't sign in to your account" error message. Fix a corrupted user profile. Need more help? Want more options? Learn how to troubleshoot Windows sign in issues, including problems signing in to your Windows device after upgrading.

Control privacy settings for your Microsoft account. How to access and change the privacy settings in Windows 10 and 11.