Question re: Admin Account

ImagoX · #1 09-12-2002, 05:42 AM

I was reading through THIS THREAD, and it suddenly struck me... I alsways log in as the Admin on my machine!

It's a new PC with XP Pro that I've only had for about a week, and I'm generally the only person that uses it.

HOWEVER, I DO remember reading that I should set up "User Accounts" and not log in as the Admin unless I have to, to protect the PC from attack. But if I don't have Admin rights, I can't load new software or make changes to the PC easily, right?

It's likely that i the next month or two I will find it very convienient to set up a User Accunt for my daughter, since I want her to be able to set up a pretty desktop for herself, write reports for school, web browse, etc., but I DON'T want her to be able to load any old software she comes across or browse my Internet Explorer bookmarks (if possible).

Can someone help me make sense of the whole Admin/Users login issue? I will eventually figure it out most likely, but I'm afraid to start hacking around in the OS when I don;t know what I'm really doing... Thanks in advance!!

augie2 · #2 09-12-2002, 04:02 PM

Suggest buying a manual. Amazon.ca assume you canuck, has tons of manuals on XP. from 20 to 80 cdn. should help a lot

ImagoX · #3 09-12-2002, 04:49 PM

Actually I'm in that little country just to the SOUTH of Canada...

I guess I can get a manual from the library... most XP books only have a waiting list 50-60 people long...

leceur · #4 09-13-2002, 03:54 AM

I made various accounts for the family members. In the User Manager you can set their permissions. Just make others "users". Everyone gets their own documents environments as also their own favourites. None can look in eacht other documents except for the Administrator or someone with admin rights.
My kids f.i. can seup their own backgound, color etc. and I have put all the gaming shortcuts on the desktop. I removed all the program from the startmenu (like Word, Excel, VB,etc). My wife on the other does have these programs and a different desktop. The main thing about setting up a good XP machine is planning and thinking before going for it.
Hope this helps...

ImagoX · #5 09-13-2002, 06:41 AM

lecur, actually that DOES help immensely... I use a Win2000 machine at work, and it sounds exactly like permissions are set up in that OS (not surprising, seeing as how 2000 and XP share a similar kernal). Thanks for that wonderful tip.

Oh, and I checked the weird orange folder thingie my XP setup disc came in, and what do you know, there IS a small manual in there! I thought they did away with paper manuals and was looking on Help in the OS, which is ALWAYS an adventure... =/

augie2 · #6 09-13-2002, 11:00 AM

hey 20.00 cdn $ is about .04$ US go for it!!!

augie2 · #7 09-17-2002, 10:15 AM

If your still interested Trying this thread now. hope it helps. I also want the same. However , haven't gotten there yet, Close,but no cigar. Let me know if you find the holy grail.

http://www.dave-partridge.com/xpbbs/viewtopic.php?t=90