Windows 10 will reach EOS (end of support) on October 14, 2025. For more information, see this article.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Thunderbird now asking permission "to make changes to your device"

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 185 views
  • Last reply by K in NC

more options

Within the last few weeks (possibly since I installed 78.8.0, but I'm not sure about the timing), every time I've started Thunderbird I've had to answer the "User Account Control" screen's question "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" No other software I'm using currently asks that same question, so I know this problem is specific to Thunderbird.

Why? I haven't changed any settings that I'm aware of. I'm not using any add-ons or themes at all.

I just went to 78.8.1, but the same screen's still there.

Is this a sign of a security problem (i.e., something's wormed its way into my copy of Thunderbird)? Is it some simple little thing I haven't thought of? Or what?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

(Note: I know I can make this go away by resetting the User Account Control to never ask for permission, but I'm very hesitant to do that.)

Within the last few weeks (possibly since I installed 78.8.0, but I'm not sure about the timing), every time I've started Thunderbird I've had to answer the "User Account Control" screen's question "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" No other software I'm using currently asks that same question, so I know this problem is specific to Thunderbird. Why? I haven't changed any settings that I'm aware of. I'm not using any add-ons or themes at all. I just went to 78.8.1, but the same screen's still there. Is this a sign of a security problem (i.e., something's wormed its way into my copy of Thunderbird)? Is it some simple little thing I haven't thought of? Or what? Any advice would be much appreciated. (Note: I know I can make this go away by resetting the User Account Control to never ask for permission, but I'm very hesitant to do that.)

Chosen solution

Upon further investigation, I discovered that "Run as administrator" for Thunderbird had somehow gotten turned on (most definitely NOT by me). Turning that off made the incessant UAC permission request go away.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (2)

more options

Thunderbird is I assume your default mail application. That is something that has to be notified to your system so is a change to your device. Have you allowed it to make that change? Or are you denying the change and then complaining that the choice you made while installing the software is still trying to get your permission?

What I have seen in the past is folks using outlook and Thunderbird and both of them setting themselves as default each time they are started.

more options

Chosen Solution

Upon further investigation, I discovered that "Run as administrator" for Thunderbird had somehow gotten turned on (most definitely NOT by me). Turning that off made the incessant UAC permission request go away.