The evidence is clear….running as administrator is dangerous to your sanity. For starters it's addictive, and an entire industry has been generated from this addiction.
As far as I can tell there are a few reasons why most Windows users insist on running as an administrator.
- I want to install 'stuff'.
- I need to move files around in the root directory.
- My favourite software informs me I have to run as Administrator in order to use it.
- I don't care.
If you have any other reasons why you absolutely have to run as an administrator all day long, 7 days a week, I'd be happy to hear it. I think these reasons are the sign of a misinformed user.
The real issue is that the IT industry has preferred to sell band aid solutions (i.e. antivirus software) rather than educating our customers properly. It's our own fault, a hell of our own design, and its time to demand better. There is a good reason why Linux and Mac have few issues in this department, and it's not because virus writers don't care enough to write viruses for those platforms. It's because the Linux based platforms make themselves hard targets. Vista dropped the ball, and should have made limited accounts the standard. UAC often gets turned off by users who hate message boxes.
It's really quite simple; if the software you want demands to run as an Administrator at all times after installation, choose different software. Good software won't make such demands on the average user and just simply work. Microsoft has software certifications that demand this of 3rd party vendors, so encourage users to look out for it.
I want to install 'stuff'
Sure, after deciding that the latest toolbar from SuperHappy Technologies Inc. is the right toolbar for you, you want to install it. When you're done installing it for all users, create yourself a standard account and log into it. Even better, resist the temptation to install miscellaneous things in the first place. I know it's like collecting handbags or shoes, but you really don't need them. Investigate your installs, a quick Google will often tell you if the SuperHappy Toolbar is in fact ad ware. You don't need to install it to find out.
I need to move files around in the root directory
You do? Are you sure? Are you certain that MyResume.docx is better off in C:\Program Files\Resumes\ rather than MyDocs\Resumes\? OK, then go right ahead and log into your administrator account, and when you're done, log back into your standard account. Even better, avoid the temptation to have a 'DIY' file system structure. Make your home directory your castle, and save yourself a world of pain trying to remember which of the 5 resumes directories you created contains your current one. You will also save yourself time when you hit the file system with a search if you can restrict it to a total search area of a few gigs instead of a few hundred.
My favourite software informs me I have to run as Administrator in order to use it
Installation is one thing, but if that new game you bought demands to be an Administrator the whole time you are playing then get a different game. It is poorly designed. Really, software needs a damn good reason to run as an admin all the time. It just so happens that programs that demand that they do are also the prime target of virus writers. That naïve, innocent software you've installed can and often will be twisted to the whim of the h4x0rs.
I don't care
Too hard? Don't care? Well, you can have the 2396% hard drive performance hit that Norton's Anti Virus will provide you while cleaning up after your spy ware installs. Not to mention the $100 a year subscription for updates, and the bandwidth to download them. I prefer to not own anti virus software, and reap the benefits. When you get right down to it, the nastiest of viruses, will eat AV software alive anyway. The best antivirus program is your brain, and through care and research you can live a virus free life.
Average users can get away with basic anti virus software that is scheduled to run overnight provided they don't browse the internet and read their emails as an administrator. They can safely turn off the auto protection features, which is the main culprit when it comes to performance decrease.
Just remember the old adage: a little bit of pain today instead of a whole world of pain tomorrow.