Quote: --- Original message by: Dennis
It all has to do with the now default security model in windows. The default is to run as a standard user and NOT as an administrator. This security model can also be setup in XP but it is not the default and most don't understand the ramifications of the various security contexts or know how to set it up so when they switch to Vista they are confused by it.

Very simply, when you run as a standard user you do not have privileges to write, append or modify to the \Program Files or system files directory. Nor does any program you run in that security context. Since in the normal course of use there is no reason to write to those directories this then prevents malware or virus from making changes to the protected system files since any program trying to write or modify to those areas will initiate the UAC which gives you warning and lets you deny access. Disabling the UAC essentially removes any impediment from malware and virus and lets you run as an administrator with full unfettered access to the system. This is very bad!

The problem that occurs is that some older programs like Halo CE and the editing kit all work in the \Program Files directory and Vista balks at it because those folders are protected from writing. There are several ways around it but turning off the UAC is the absolutely 100% undeniably inarguably the WRONG way to solve the problem.

You can run the individual program as administrator to give it privileges to write to the “\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo Custom Edition” folder or you can change the security for JUST that folder to allow access to all programs.

There are pros and cons to both options but since you normally know what you are doing in those folders it is easier to just add your user account to the “\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo Custom Edition” security list and give it full rights to JUST THAT folder.

Never, Never, Never turn off the UAC.