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#1
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Please explain accounts in XP
Someone once tried to explain to me how many accounts get set up with a
fresh install, but considering it's only me who uses the PC do I need all these accounts (admin etc) can I just not set pc up with me and no need for password so I just go into desktop, I know some people will say it's not safe but it's my home PC so nobody else uses it. |
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#2
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Please explain accounts in XP
Jim wrote:
Someone once tried to explain to me how many accounts get set up with a fresh install, but considering it's only me who uses the PC do I need all these accounts (admin etc) can I just not set pc up with me and no need for password so I just go into desktop, I know some people will say it's not safe but it's my home PC so nobody else uses it. Hi, Jim; Check out http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=282866 for how to remove your password and enable XP to log you in automatically. As for the other accounts, I'm guessing you mean the ~4 others listed in the Computer Management, Local Users screen. Probably best to leave those as they are (be sure to leave Guest disabled). -- ....Sky ====== |
#3
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Please explain accounts in XP
You need at least two accounts, three might be better.
The installation will always make THE ADMINISTRATOR account. You should make a working account that will have administrator privileges. When you make this account the ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT will be hidden. You should also make an account to use for routine operations that has limited function. You can set the computer to logon and you don't need to have a password for a limited account but administrator accounts certainly should have a password. Remember the password. The reason for this are simple. The ADMINISTRATOR account is your emergency tool, you don't use it or install a lot of junk to it. If the computer won't boot to the account you usually use, you can often boot the ADMIN account and fix the problem. You may want or need an account with admin priv. because some tasks may require the power of an administrator, such as updates, virus scans or creating a connection. This account will be used and may become corrupt which is why you keep a "clean" Adin acct. Many experts suggest that you do as much work on the computer using a limited user account because that prevents many unwanted things from happening. If you are hacked or infected in a limited account, you only have to worry about the damage that can be done by a limited user (so they say). -- The people think the Constitution protects their rights; But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome. "Jim" wrote in message ... | Someone once tried to explain to me how many accounts get set up with a | fresh install, but considering it's only me who uses the PC do I need all | these accounts (admin etc) can I just not set pc up with me and no need for | password so I just go into desktop, I know some people will say it's not | safe but it's my home PC so nobody else uses it. | | |
#4
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Please explain accounts in XP
Good question.
Windows XP is used in many different settings, so it needs to accomodate as many of them as possible. XP was setup with user accounts so that, for example, different family members could each use the computer with their own settings, and businesses could manage computers on their networks. You can ignore the various user accounts - they do not affect your computer's speed or performance in any way and will not cause errors. For example, the so-called Default User is not really a user account, but a collection of the default settings that will be present for all users. This gives all users a functional operating system right out of the box, without the need to spend hours configuring the computer. The All Users account is also not really a user account, but a collection of Start menu and desktop selections that will appear on every user's desktop. This makes it easy to include the same Start menu and desktop icons on every user's computer. The Administrator account has unrestricted access to the operating system. This is needed if, for example, you want to install software, defragment your computer, or perform other system level operations. You should not be using an Administrator account for your day-to-day computing. If a virus or spyware infects your Administrator account, it too will have unrestricted access to your computer. You don't want that. For everyday computing, you want to use an account that has restricted access to the computer. So you see, the account structure of XP is designed to make the computer more convenient and safer. You don't have to pay attention to any account other than your own. -- Ted Zieglar "Jim" wrote in message ... Someone once tried to explain to me how many accounts get set up with a fresh install, but considering it's only me who uses the PC do I need all these accounts (admin etc) can I just not set pc up with me and no need for password so I just go into desktop, I know some people will say it's not safe but it's my home PC so nobody else uses it. |
#5
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Please explain accounts in XP
"Jim Macklin" wrote in message ... You need at least two accounts, three might be better. Jesus 3, I'm having trouble getting my head round 2 (user: that's me, and Admin) let alone 3. The installation will always make THE ADMINISTRATOR account. You should make a working account that will have administrator privileges. When you make this account the ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT will be hidden. You should also make an account to use for routine operations that has limited function. You can set the computer to logon and you don't need to have a password for a limited account but administrator accounts certainly should have a password. Remember the password. The reason for this are simple. The ADMINISTRATOR account is your emergency tool, you don't use it or install a lot of junk to it. If the computer won't boot to the account you usually use, you can often boot the ADMIN account and fix the problem. You may want or need an account with admin priv. because some tasks may require the power of an administrator, such as updates, virus scans or creating a connection. This account will be used and may become corrupt which is why you keep a "clean" Adin acct. Many experts suggest that you do as much work on the computer using a limited user account because that prevents many unwanted things from happening. If you are hacked or infected in a limited account, you only have to worry about the damage that can be done by a limited user (so they say). Mmmm food for thought, now you have put things that way i guess i can see a point to admin account (god i hate being wrong) but if i set up machine with just admin (set up on it's own as you say) and my user account, will my user account be able to do everything i need, for example instal new software remove and mod things as i wish, so in effect just keeping Admin account for if pc dies on me i can try to get in using admin. Have i got it right or am i still missing the point? |
#6
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Please explain accounts in XP
Thanks, Ted,
That makes a lot of sense, and helps me. However, I have apps which appear on my Admin desktop, and on the taskbar when logged in as Admin, which are not there when logged in as "User", even tho I did not intentionally install differently. Is there a good online refrence to explain this? TIA, Craig "Ted Zieglar" wrote in message ... Good question. Windows XP is used in many different settings, so it needs to accomodate as many of them as possible. XP was setup with user accounts so that, for example, different family members could each use the computer with their own settings, and businesses could manage computers on their networks. You can ignore the various user accounts - they do not affect your computer's speed or performance in any way and will not cause errors. For example, the so-called Default User is not really a user account, but a collection of the default settings that will be present for all users. This gives all users a functional operating system right out of the box, without the need to spend hours configuring the computer. The All Users account is also not really a user account, but a collection of Start menu and desktop selections that will appear on every user's desktop. This makes it easy to include the same Start menu and desktop icons on every user's computer. The Administrator account has unrestricted access to the operating system. This is needed if, for example, you want to install software, defragment your computer, or perform other system level operations. You should not be using an Administrator account for your day-to-day computing. If a virus or spyware infects your Administrator account, it too will have unrestricted access to your computer. You don't want that. For everyday computing, you want to use an account that has restricted access to the computer. So you see, the account structure of XP is designed to make the computer more convenient and safer. You don't have to pay attention to any account other than your own. -- Ted Zieglar |
#7
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Please explain accounts in XP
Well, that's where it gets interesting.
Some programs install themselves only to the administrator account, and some install to all user accounts. Some programs give you the choice. Each user has a section of the registry just for them. 'Installing to an account' means that the program installs itself into that user's portion of the registry. I'm sure there are plenty of good references to the whole thing on the Internet, particularly at Microsoft's web site, but I haven't looked for one myself. Ted Zieglar "Craig" wrote in message ... Thanks, Ted, That makes a lot of sense, and helps me. However, I have apps which appear on my Admin desktop, and on the taskbar when logged in as Admin, which are not there when logged in as "User", even tho I did not intentionally install differently. Is there a good online refrence to explain this? TIA, Craig "Ted Zieglar" wrote in message ... Good question. Windows XP is used in many different settings, so it needs to accomodate as many of them as possible. XP was setup with user accounts so that, for example, different family members could each use the computer with their own settings, and businesses could manage computers on their networks. You can ignore the various user accounts - they do not affect your computer's speed or performance in any way and will not cause errors. For example, the so-called Default User is not really a user account, but a collection of the default settings that will be present for all users. This gives all users a functional operating system right out of the box, without the need to spend hours configuring the computer. The All Users account is also not really a user account, but a collection of Start menu and desktop selections that will appear on every user's desktop. This makes it easy to include the same Start menu and desktop icons on every user's computer. The Administrator account has unrestricted access to the operating system. This is needed if, for example, you want to install software, defragment your computer, or perform other system level operations. You should not be using an Administrator account for your day-to-day computing. If a virus or spyware infects your Administrator account, it too will have unrestricted access to your computer. You don't want that. For everyday computing, you want to use an account that has restricted access to the computer. So you see, the account structure of XP is designed to make the computer more convenient and safer. You don't have to pay attention to any account other than your own. -- Ted Zieglar |
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