Hello Pete.
Thanks to 'User Account Protection' in Windows Vista, even an administrator account runs with standard user privileges until triggered by UAP, so your problem (most likely) is with the programs you are trying to install/uninstall not being updated for Vista and UAP, and therefore not triggering your administrator priveleges.
Here's something to try:
Visit this link:
http://www.petri.co.il/disable_uac_in_windows_vista.htmTry Method #1 first, note that you will have to restart your computer after disabling UAP.
On reboot, try installing/uninstalling a few things that have been giving you problems.
Whether or not this fixes your problem, be sure to re-enable UAP after you're done testing.
Post back with your results and good luck.