Privilege Elevation and User Account Control for A+
Short answer
UAC prevents everyday programs from running with full system privileges. Administrators receive consent prompts by default (depending on policy), while standard users receive credential prompts. Use Run as administrator only when a task requires system-level changes; otherwise operate under least privilege.
Why it appears on the exam
- Given a scenario, decide whether to use Run as administrator or perform the action as a standard user. - Interpret UAC prompt type (consent vs credentials) and explain the security implication.
Key concepts
Concept 1
Required terms
User Account Control (UAC): Windows mechanism that prompts for consent or credentials when a process requests elevated privileges to perform system-level changes. Run as administrator: Action to launch an application with elevated privileges, usually triggered via context menu or shortcut setting and often causing a UAC prompt. User Account Control (UAC): prompts for consent/credentials when elevated privileges are requested. Run as administrator: method to start a process elevated; triggers UAC when needed.
Example
Installing device drivers requires elevation and will trigger a UAC prompt; the technician should run the installer as administrator.
Concept 2
How Privilege Elevation and User Account Control works
UAC prevents everyday programs from running with full system privileges. Administrators receive consent prompts by default (depending on policy), while standard users receive credential prompts. Use Run as administrator only when a task requires system-level changes; otherwise operate under least privilege.
Example
A standard user attempting to change system-wide firewall rules will be blocked or asked for admin credentials.
Concept 3
Common confusion
Confusing UAC prompts (consent vs credential) with authentication dialogs for network resources. Also some disable UAC unnecessarily; explain why it reduces accidental system changes.
Example
Installing device drivers requires elevation and will trigger a UAC prompt; the technician should run the installer as administrator.
Concept 4
Core 2 (220-1202) question cues
Given a scenario, decide whether to use Run as administrator or perform the action as a standard user; Interpret UAC prompt type (consent vs credentials) and explain the security implication.
Example
A standard user attempting to change system-wide firewall rules will be blocked or asked for admin credentials.
Sample questions
Select an answer to reveal the explanation. For tracked practice and weak-area review, use the Cultiv8 app.
Q1.A technician is troubleshooting this situation: Installing device drivers requires elevation and will trigger a UAC prompt; the technician should run the installer as administrator. What should they identify?
Q2.A support ticket includes this clue: A standard user attempting to change system-wide firewall rules will be blocked or asked for admin credentials. Which concept is being tested?
Q3.An A+ support scenario describes this situation: Action to launch an application with elevated privileges, usually triggered via context menu or shortcut setting and often causing a UAC prompt. Which answer fits best?
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