I have SONAR X1 installed on my Windows 7 system, and I've always had it run as admin. However, I forgot what the importance is doing so was... I think to allow some plugins to work. My question is, will I need to do this when I install my SONAR X1 onto my new Windows 8 system which I'll be getting soon? Is there a way to prevent having to run as admin, or is it just always best to do so?

The only time I ever had to do that was to register the product. Otherwise, I never need to.

There have been a number of issues with VSTs that don't run right unless SONAR is run As Administrator. I just disabled UAC altogether. UAC mostly exists to protect less knowledgeable PC users from themselves.

You can always right click on the icon....click properties....open the compatibility tab and choose "Run as Administrator".  Then it will from then on.

as bundlefly has mentioned just disable UAC.
a simple google search will tell you how to do it,its easy.

As a SE, the only thing I can think of that would prevent a plugin from running in non-elevated mode is if it is attempting to *write* within the program directory (or any subdir thereof). It's a boneheaded prgmgr move - the host is supposed to take care of presets anyway.

Just disabled UAC.  No need for it.

Yup, disabled UAC, ensures smooth installations

NO - UAC is a GOOD thing. Doesn't come up often and you get used to it. Benefits far outweigh the cons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control

I've been running without UAC for years now, no problems whatsoever. The one time I ran into an installation issue was when I was setting up a DAW for a relative and they didn't have UAC turned off.