xp multi-user capabilities

[Shawn Modersohn]

Say I have two user accounts on xp, one limited and one administrator. If I
log on to the administrator account, then switch to the user account without
logging off the administrator account, will anti-virus programs download
latest definitions, will they run virus scans, will automatic backups run?

A few clients just bought shiny new xp boxes. I noticed that in the limited
user accounts AVG will not download definitions or run schedules tests. Is
xp multi-user enough to overcome this apparent security limitation?

 

[Phil]

The limitation is in the programming for the specific apps. Most are not
coded for xp's multi-user, multi-rights system and need admin rights in
order to work correctly. You could do as you say, but I wouldn't. This will
slow down the computer having both users logged in all the time and using
extra resources. Also I'm not sure if updating avg auto-matically in the
admin account will effect changes in the limited account on the fly. A
reboot may be needed to "update" the limited account, defeating the whole
purpose of auto-updating. My suggestions are:
1 - find an av program that will run tests and do updates with a limited
account user.
2 - change your users to power users or admins.
3 - do manual scanning and updating
4 - try running an admin account for the updating and a limited account at
the same time and see if it works like you hope it will.
5 - also sometimes chnaging the user to admin, installing the program, then
changing them back to limited lets the program work(not sure if it works
with avg)

 

[Shawn Modersohn]

Say I have two user accounts on xp, one limited and one administrator. If I
log on to the administrator account, then switch to the user account without
logging off the administrator account, will anti-virus programs download
latest definitions, will they run virus scans, will automatic backups run?

A few clients just bought shiny new xp boxes. I noticed that in the limited
user accounts AVG will not download definitions or run schedules tests. Is
xp multi-user enough to overcome this apparent security limitation?

For anyone interested, the AVG virus scan indeed ran last night at the
scheduled time. I am unsure if updates will work as I hope. Keeping the
administrator account logged on is the key. However, in order to switch
users, the logon screen must be that goofy avatar way vs the standard
windows logon.