cmd.exe suddenly requires admin auth to run

Hello everyone.. I'm having an issue on one of my (fully updated)
computers where cmd.exe (and any shortcuts that refer to it) suddenly
within the past week began to require UAC authentication in order to
run. I have not selected "run as administrator" on the compatibility tab
- in fact, every control shown on that tab is grayed out (disabled for
input).

The default shortcut on the start menu under accessories even requires
authentication to run. In the shortcut properties, the "start in" option
is set to %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%, but the command window opens in
c:\windows\system32 regardless.

My other two computers are running Vista 32 Ultimate as well, and are
both fully updated, but do not require UAC authentication to open
command prompt unless I specifically tell it to open as administrator.

I am completely at a loss to explain why this is occurring on one of my
computers. Does anyone have any ideas? This is very frustrating..


--
Killarny