What type of changes does User Account Control (UAC) help prevent?

User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature in Microsoft Windows that aims to prevent unintentional or unauthorized changes to the operating system. It achieves this by prompting users for permission or an administrator password before allowing certain changes that could affect the system's configuration or security settings.

The feature is designed to protect the system from potentially harmful actions, including those initiated by software applications that may not have been explicitly authorized by the user. This means that whether the changes are being made by applications or users (including administrators), UAC assesses the action's implications and intervenes when necessary.

For example, if a standard user tries to install software or modify system settings, UAC will produce a prompt. This is critical, as it helps to prevent malware or unauthorized applications from making changes without the user's knowledge or consent. By requiring user consent, UAC ensures that all changes are carefully considered, thereby reducing the risk of unintentional data loss, software conflicts, or security vulnerabilities that can arise from unauthorized modifications.

This proactive approach is fundamental in maintaining a secure and stable operating environment, highlighting the importance of user awareness in managing system integrity and security.