Final answer:
To configure UAC to only prompt when programs make changes, enable the setting 'Only notify me when programs try to make changes to my computer' and ensure that the 'Dim the desktop' option is not selected.
Step-by-step explanation:
To configure User Account Control (UAC) so that you see the permission prompt only when programs try to make changes to your computer, and not when you make those changes yourself, you should enable the User Account Control setting to 'Only notify me when programs try to make changes to my computer'. This setting is less intrusive than the 'Always notify' setting, which prompts for confirmation whenever any changes are made, whether by you or a program. Additionally, to prevent the desktop from dimming when the UAC prompt is displayed, ensure that the setting to 'Dim the desktop' is not selected. This will result in the UAC notification appearing without dimming the background, which allows you to continue to view your desktop while addressing the prompt.
To configure User Account Control (UAC) so that you only see the permission prompt when programs try to make changes to your computer (not when you make changes) and to disable the desktop dimming effect when the prompt is shown, you should enable the UAC setting to Only notify me when programs try to make changes to my computer. This option provides a balance between security and convenience, as you will still be alerted to potential unauthorized changes while reducing interruption to your workflow.
To summarize:
Enable the UAC setting to Only notify me when programs try to make changes to my computer.
Disable the UAC setting to Dim the desktop when prompting for elevation.