RE: Programs ???

If you don't like the securities of Vista, why not just stick with XP? Some
of us don't really mind the prompts (except in VNC, where it bumps you :P).
Microsoft developed the UAC feature for Windows Vista to help prevent
malicious programs silent installation and computer-wide infection (which in
theory is a good idea). Although it's not really a good idea (and one I
wouldn't suggest), but you could turn off UAC.