Windows: Yes button in user account controls is disabled

[German]Windows is using user account control since Windows Vista to grant administrative privileges. But some users are facing a strange behavior: The user account control dialog box is invoked during an administrative task. But he Yes button to confirm UAC is disabled (grayed out). Here a few hints to solve that issue.

Windows user account control

If a task needs administrator privileges, Windows invokes (since Windows Vista) a user account control (UAC) box. The user need to confirm that administrative privileges shall be granted to the function invoked.

The layout of this UAC prompt depends on the Windows version used and from the user account. If invoked from a standard user account, the password text box will be shown (see screenshot above). Invoking UAC prompt from an administrator account shows only the Yes/No buttons.

The Yes button is blocked in UAC prompt

Some users are running into a strange problem: The UAC prompt is already shown, but the Yes button is blocked/grayed out (see also).

So, a user can't confirm UAC and administrative task can't be completed anymore. It's also no more possible to create a new user account.

Root cause #1: Automatic login withound passoword

If only one user account is configured under Windows and if the password is left blank, an automated user login will be established. I found several entries within forum, where this approach failed, and users are ending with a broken UAC. Booting in safe mode and performing a system restore can cure this behavior.

Root cause #2: Administrator account has been disabled

In normal cases, Windows shall prevent an administrative user from disabling all Administrator accounts. But I've seen many cases, where people have managed somehow, to disable their administrator account. Also in some cases people changing a standard user account to a guest account ending with loosing all administrator accounts.

Root cause #3: Broken user profile

I haven't had such a case till now – so I'm speculating here a bit. Some cases discussed in Internet forums indicates, that something within a user profile is dramatically broken. Or a user has been logged in at a temporary profile. This is causing UAC prompt to fail or results in a grayed out UAC Yes button.

Solution #1: Try to boot Windows in Safe mode

The first approach shall be to boot Windows into safe mode and try to fix the UAC issue. The steps are depending from the Windows version. Use the article linked below.

• How To Start Windows 7 in Safe Mode or see this Microsoft article
• How to Start Windows in Safe Mode (Windows 8/8.1)
• Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10

If your system runs in safe mode, try to create a new administrator account, reboot Windows, log into the new administrator account and test, whether the issue is gone. If UAC works again, you can delete the faulty user account (but note, all settings and user files will be lost).

Solution #2: Try to activate build-in administrator

If booting into safe mode doesn't helps, maybe a trick will allow you to gain administrator privileges back. Try to activate the build-in account "Administrator". Then log into this new account and try to fix the broken user account. The steps to activate the build-in account "Administrator" are discussed in the articles linked below.

Activate Build-in Administrator account in Windows – I
Activate Build-in Administrator account in Windows – II

After enabling the build-in administrator, reboot the system, login into the Administrator account. This account doesn't have a password. Then try to create a new Administrator account.

Audio-output blocks UAC

There is also a case, where a broken audio output (probably) is responsible for a faulty UAC command prompt und the missing Yes button.

• If a user invokes UAC, Windows tries to notify a user playing a sound file.
• If sound output fails (due to a faulty sound driver or an incompatible DirectShow filter driver), a file system error (-1073741819) and an error message 'Extended attributes are inconsistent' will be shown.

I've discussed this case within my blog post Windows 10: file system error (-1073741819) – 'extended attributes are in consistent'.

If the hints given above doesn't cure the UAC problem, try to restore Windows to factory settings.

Similar articles:
Win10 Wiki
Windows 10: Open command prompt window as administrator
Check and repair Windows system files and component store

Windows 10: file system error (-1073741819) – 'extended attributes are in consistent'

Activate Build-in Administrator account in Windows – I
Activate Build-in Administrator account in Windows – II