WinXP Pro - cannot install software with USER logon.

[jitu]

Hi, I would like to install some of my favourite utils on my office PC. However I am on a standard user account so cannot install anything. I can boot up into the computer, using "special software" and access the registry. Is there any key that I can change within the registry to give my limited user account, the right to install software?

My other option is to reset the admin password again using special software. However I am reluctant to do this in case the Admin person turns up in the future and finds that his old password no longer works. Is there a way to back up the Admin password and its associated hive, reset it and install my utils and then restore the original Admin password back onto the computer so that his old password works?

Thanks

[mgriffit]

in a word, "no".

Only an administrator (of your machine or your office domain) can give you permission to install software. However there is some software that does not require administrative rights.... Ad-aware is a shining example.
You are right that you could reset the local administrator password. But there really is no easy way to back it up and restore it. This is not a good idea. And in most reasonably sized companies, tampering with your computer like that could lead to dismissal... or worse. they could reformat your harddrive and restrict your account even more!
It would be easier to ask your network guys to install the software. In this case, I would ask first.