Only using Administrator account

Grampus8

anewhope wrote: »

What operating system are you using?

Windows 7.

Firstly, here may be the sticking point. When I bought it, it was a display model and therefore I probably don't know what the password (if any) is. When I boot up it just goes straight to the desktop.

If I set up a User account now and create a password for it, will I subsequently need a password to gain access to the Administrator account?

Or will I be able to set a password now?

Secondly, if I create a user account, will it mnirror the desktop as it is currently i.e. have all the same icnons/programs? or would I have to add/download them all again?

Thanks for your help

scheming_gypsy

Grampus8 wrote: »

If I set up a User account now and create a password for it, will I subsequently need a password to gain access to the Administrator account?

you can reset passwords for any accounts via control panel, user accounts.

Or will I be able to set a password now?

as above if 'administrator' actually exists.

Secondly, if I create a user account, will it mnirror the desktop as it is currently i.e. have all the same icnons/programs? or would I have to add/download them all again?

Thanks for your help

You won't need to install them again but it won't mirror your desktop unless the icons are in the Public \ Public Desktop folder.
If the application installed a desktop icon then chances are that it'll create it in Public but if you've created the shortcut yourself then it'll just be in yours, although they'll still be on the start menu.
If you want any account to see the same icons just:
My Computer
C:
Users
copy the contents of the desktop folder from your account folder, into Public \ Public Desktop.

Grampus8

Thank you, I shall try this when I am next able.

dixiebb

Def. not a good idea to use the Administrator account -- esp. so when surfing the Internet -- although many (most? ) people continue to do so.

Grampus8

I surf using Sandboxie and also Clearcloud (although I'm aware this will stop in September).

I use Avast/Malwarebytes Pro.

Having said that, I will create a user account just in case, just a bit worried about locking myself out of the Administrator account. Will try to follow gypsy's instructions carefully.

Hammyman

pcombo wrote: »

Well if only one person uses the system, Your hardly going to use a limited account.

Oh. Dear. Why ever not?

S0litaire

It's best practice NOT to use the Administrator account on a day to day basis.

It's call an "Administrator" account for a reason and should only be used to administer the machine/network.

I'm coming from a Linux perspective where it's normal practice to run your machine as a user and only touch the Admin account to install / update software.

It may be a pain to stick your password in every time you install something.

But a few seconds for a password is a lot better than a few hours removing viruses or fixing problems due to an accidental deletion.

I've been there in the past!
Running what I thought was a simple "move" command to move files in my home folder to a backup storage.
I was running as Root (Administrator account) and i somehow managed to delete all the program files.
and with NO programs, the machine was basically useless (could not use any program to fix it since they were all gone)
I had to reinstall the system.
Ever since then I've only used the Root account sparingly (as it was designed to be used).

as the Windows usage of "Limited account" well it limits the damage you can do to your system.... ^_^

victor2

If you want to automatically login a user (on Windows 7 and Vista) while still having another one with administrative rights, you can do it with netplwiz. Set up the accounts first, then click Start and in the Search programs and files box enter netplwiz and press Enter. You'll need the password for the account with administrator rights and then there is a box to stop the system requiring a user name and password to log in. If you deselect that, you will then be asked for the user name and password to be used automatically in future. Does remove a level of security, but will give you the effect you want without losing administrative rights with another account.

S0litaire

I think with VISTA and XP of you pressed Ctrl+Alt+Delete twice at the user quick Login screen it drops back to the old login screen and asks you for a username and password (that's only if you have more than one account and the administrator account is not turned off.)

esuhl

pcombo wrote: »

Well if only one person uses the system, Your hardly going to use a limited account.

Even if you're the only person using a PC, you hardly want to run all of your commands with the highest priviledges you can!

pcombo wrote: »

Creating a secondary administrator gives exact same rights as the default.

I'm not sure what your point is... It is unwise to run commands with Administrator priviledges unless you specifically need to do so. In Windows 7, I think (from my failing memory!) that when you create a user account with Administrative rights, the OS will only assign you standard user rights until it comes across a rights elevation request, at which time it will prompt you to confirm that is is okay to continue with elevated rights (assuming you've enabled UAC). If that's what's happening you're probably okay as you aren't really logged in using an administrative account, despite what the OS says.

If you were to disable UAC and log in using the Administrator account, then all commands you execute would be run with Administrator rights by default.

In any case, it is simply not a good idea to be running all commands with Administrative rights - just like it's not a good idea to hand out signed blank cheques even to people you (think you can) trust.