When trying to launch a program that requires elevated privileges in Windows, a User Account Control (UAC) prompt typically appears, presenting two buttons: Yes and No. However, you may encounter an issue where the Yes button is missing, leaving only the No button. This happens when the user attempting to make the change does not have administrative privileges.
The UAC prompt behavior changes based on the user’s administrative status. If another user on the same machine has administrative rights, Windows may prompt you to enter that user’s credentials. But if no one on the system has administrative access, the UAC prompt will not have a Yes button and will not offer the option to provide another user’s credentials. This situation is especially problematic because it might appear that Windows is unable to grant administrative access to the necessary users.
This article will walk you through how to resolve this issue, from basic troubleshooting to more advanced techniques, without the need to reinstall Windows.
Why Does This Happen?
A missing Yes button in the UAC prompt occurs when:
The user doesn’t have administrative privileges.
There are no other users with administrative access on the system.
The system is configured in a way that blocks the proper permissions.
Windows will always require at least one user with administrative access, even if you remove all other administrator accounts via graphical interface (GUI). It’s possible to strip all administrative access using the Command Prompt or third-party utilities, but this is not recommended unless you’re comfortable with advanced troubleshooting.
How to Fix the Missing “Yes” Button Issue
While reinstalling Windows is the most straightforward solution, it’s not always practical or desirable. If you’d prefer not to do that, follow the steps below to regain full control and restore the Yes button in the UAC prompt.
Step 1: Boot Windows into Recovery Mode
To begin, you need to access Windows’ recovery environment. Here’s how to do it:
Hold Shift and click on Restart from the Start Menu.
Your system will reboot, and you should see a Recovery menu.
From the Recovery menu, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options.
Step 2: Enable Command Prompt in Safe Mode
In the Advanced Options menu, select Startup Settings and then click Restart.
After the restart, you will be presented with a list of options. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt (you can press F6 or just the 6 key to select this).
Your PC will reboot again, and you’ll be taken to a Command Prompt window.
Step 3: Attempt to Add the User to the Administrator Group
Once you’re in Command Prompt, try running the following command to add the user to the administrators group:
net localgroup administrators
This may fail with an “Access Denied” error because you need administrative rights to modify group membership.
Step 4: Enable the Built-In Administrator Account
Since the command failed, the next step is to enable the built-in administrator account. Run the following command:
net user administrator /active: yes
If you’re using a localized version of Windows (e.g., Russian, Chinese), make sure to use the correct localized name for the administrator account. In English, it’s Administrator, but in other languages, it might differ.
Once the command executes successfully, reboot into the recovery menu again.
Step 5: Boot Into Safe Mode with the Administrator Account
Go back to the Advanced Options menu and select Startup Settings, then press Restart.
In the boot options, select Enable Safe Mode.
After rebooting, log in using the Administrator account that you just activated.
Step 6: Change User Group Membership
Once you’re logged into the Administrator account, navigate to Control Panel > User Accounts (or Netplwiz).
Locate the user account you want to grant administrative privileges.
Select the account and go to Properties. Under the Group Membership tab, change the account type from Standard User to Administrator.
Apply the changes, and the user will now have administrative privileges.
Step 7: Restart the Computer
Once the changes are applied, restart your computer. The user should now have the Yes button available in the UAC prompt.
Step 8: Hide the Administrator Account Again (Optional)
If you no longer need the built-in Administrator account visible, you can disable it again with the following command:
net user administrator /active: no
This will hide the account, ensuring that it’s only used for administrative purposes when necessary.
Final Thoughts
This guide walks you through resolving the missing “Yes” button issue on the UAC prompt. While reinstalling Windows is often the most straightforward solution, these steps offer a less invasive way to restore administrative privileges without wiping your system.
If you’re not comfortable with the Command Prompt or making changes to system files, consider seeking additional assistance before proceeding with these steps. With patience and a little technical know-how, you can regain full control of your system and fix the UAC prompt issue efficiently.
Bonus Tip: Regular Maintenance for Your Windows PC
Even if you don’t encounter UAC prompt issues, it’s a good idea to reinstall Windows once a year to keep your system fresh. Reinstalling not only removes leftover junk but also ensures that your software, games, and drivers are always up to date.
By following these steps and keeping your system optimized, you’ll minimize technical issues and enhance your overall user experience.