4 Non-Admin account bugs/annoyances

[DJ Dave]

I want to run my primary account as non-administrative. Here are 4
annoyances/bugs I've run into. If anyone has advice on any of these
things, I'd be grateful. Also consider this a warning if you are running
XP Pro users with non-admin permissions. Note that all these things
happen when the account is a member of ALL groups except administrators.

1. For some reason, the "My Documents" folder does not show up in the
"My Computer" view when the user is not an admin. Not vital so this is
an "annoyance".

2. Some software just will not load. Example: my Microtek scanner's
"Scan Suite" software freezes up. But if I change the user to admin it
opens and runs with no problems. This is important and a "bug" to me.

3. Some programs can not write to disk when user is not an admin. For
example, I can not save a Quicken back-up file to HDD when not an admin
(but I can do a backup to HDD when an admin, and I can save to CD-RW
when not an admin, and the program saves the default file no problem!
weird!) This to me is a "bug"

4. If you only have one unique user that is an admin (not inlcuding
"guest" account and default "administrator" account) the screen saver
can NOT be set to "On resume, display Welcome screen". It can only be
set to "Password protect". This may sound like an annoyance but for me
it is a bug.. this is actually the main reason I use a non-admin
account, because I want the screen saver to go to the Welcome screen if
I walk away from the PC. If it wasn't for this one annoyance, I'd just
run my account as an admin!! (FYI: I want this to happen for security of
private files. I have the Guest account turned on so my roommate can use
the guest account to get online; or friends I have over can check their
webmail, or my girlfriend can look at my shared photos but not private
ones (LOL), etc). Yes, I know I can just log off or go to switch-
users... but I have ADD and am very forgetful, having the screen saver
do it helps.

Any advice?
Thanks,
David

 

[Mike Kolitz]

For #1:
There's a newsgroup thread that might help you add My Documents back to My
Computer. I thought there was GUI way to do this, but I can't find it now.
Here's the thread: http://tinyurl.com/2932x

For #2:
It's not really a bug or a feature, but you're right, it is annoying.
It's mostly the fault of 3rd party vendors not updating their applications
to work in an NT/2000/XP environment (though you could blame Microsoft for
the Win 9x environment in the first place...). Lots of older software
wasn't built to run on multi-user systems where non-admin users may exist.

Some software, however, will require Admin rights to install. On NT-based
operating systems, only Administrators can install hardware and hardware
drivers, as well as system services.

For #3:
You'll most likely need to open permissions on the folder that Quicken tries
to write to (or change the location to a place which that account *can*
write to).

For instructions on how to modify file and folder permissions in Windows XP,
please see this site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/itpro/managing/filesharing.asp

Incidentally, the fact that you're running under a non-admin account is a
very good thing. You should be proud of yourself for making a very
security-conscious decision, even though you're having some difficulties
with it.

I applaud your effort in trying to solve these issues to make the system
work the way you want it to, but also in a more secure configuration!

--
Mike Kolitz MCSE 2000
MS-MVP - Windows Setup and Deployment
Remember to check Windows Update often,
and apply the patches marked as Critical!
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect

 

[DJ Dave]

For #1:
There's a newsgroup thread that might help you add My Documents back
to My Computer. I thought there was GUI way to do this, but I can't
find it now. Here's the thread: http://tinyurl.com/2932x

Thanks Mike,

But I've tried that registry edit and it won't work. Any other suggestions?
Oh well.

David

 

[Wesley Vogel]

DJ Dave;
I've only seen the parts of this thread that are in this reply.

Are you missing folder(s), have the wrong one(s) showing or want
to not show any folders?

Do you have TweakUI?
+ My Computer | Check Files stored on this computer
Apply | OK
================
Shared Documents Folders Are Missing From My Computer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;319825

The My Computer Icon Displays the My Documents Folders of Another User
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;286727