Keyboard shortcuts for elevation prompts

Windows uses privilege elevation prompts (also known as user account controls or UACs) to confirm administrative actions, such as installing new software, deleting files from sensitive locations, and so on.

Elevation prompt behavior has changed since the original Window Vista introduction, however, the experience can be jarring, especially if you routinely switch between devices running different versions of Windows.

A few keyboard shortcuts have remained consistent through multiple versions of Windows, including:

• To quickly accept an elevation prompt, press Left arrow and then press `Enter.
• To cancel a prompt, press Esc (the escape key).
• In many (though not all) versions of Windows, you can use Spacebar to select the default button in an elevation prompt.

In my experience, the first shortcut is the most widely supported. There’s no guarantee that will continue in future Windows releases.

Historical perspective

Many find elevation prompts to be annoying. Oddly, this was the original intention.

While I personally appreciate the opportunity to avoid accidentally deleting an important file, I know this isn’t a universal view.

More info

• User account control: How it works (Microsoft Learn)

• “User Access Control in a nutshell”, by Roger Grimes, CSO Magazine, 1 Apr 2008.

• “Protect your Windows network from excessive administrator rights”, Susan Bradley, CSO Magazine, 15 Jul 2020.

Vital statistics

• Updated 06 May 2024: Rewrote to reflect current style and layout.
• 27 Jan 2017: Original post