adding oneself to another user group ... help?

[Guest]

Ok, according to Microsoft's help section, under Local Users and Groups "Best
Practices", and then "Why you should not run your computer as an
adminstrator", it is suggested (the following is copied and pasted from the
help file)

You should add yourself to the Users or Power Users group. When you log on
as a member of the Users group, you can perform routine tasks, including
running programs and visiting Internet sites, without exposing your computer
to unnecessary risk. As a member of the Power Users group, you can perform
routine tasks and you can also install programs, add printers, and use most
Control Panel items. If you need to perform administrative tasks, such as
upgrading the operating system or configuring system parameters, then log off
and log back on as an administrator.

Ok, I've added my name to the "users" group which is a restricted group so I
don't inadvertantly screw things up, or allow trojans to screw things up if I
was logged onto the system as admin., but.......

The system is not acting any differently than before, only 1 account pops up
at logon, it is the same one, one with admin priv...etc...if I try to create
another account with my name, the system says, that account name already
exists....sheesh, what am I missing here?

I'm pulling my hair out here.....help please.

TIA

Lonnie

 

[David Candy]

So you are an admin and an user. You can do all things admins or users can do. Not real useful as admins can do what users do anyway.

Create two accounts. One admin and one user.

 

[Guest]

The whole reason for doing this in the first place was to be able to
1)protect my system for affore mentioned things 2)use runas to run certain
programs that require adminstrative rights, like spyware doctor.

If I just create another user within the users group and use runas, the
stupid programs don't work because I installed them when logged on as myself
within the admin group (with spyware doctor you have to be admin to even
install it). How do I accomplish being able to run programs like this using
runas and have them recognise me as the person who installed them with admin
priv?

Thanks
Lonnie

 

[David Candy]

You use your administrator account to runas. You are unticking the box that say "Protect My Computer ...". Few programs can work with that ticked.

 

[Guest]

I'm sorry but I don't know what you mean by unticking box, I don't see
anything remotely similar to what you said when using runas. Oh and yes the
admin account is used when you use runas, but you don't use it while logged
on as admin already. There are, as I've recently found out, a buttload of
programs that will not operate properly unless I'm logged on as an admin
user. What the heck gives with this anyway? Microsoft says it is better to
not use admin unless doing admin maintenance, however most programs
(purchased seperately), do not work properly without being logged on as
admin.....sheeeesh, there has to be a way around this.

Lonnie

 

[David Candy]

Protect My Computer From Unauthorised Program Activity. If this is ticked, and it is by default, very few programs will work.

Most programs are faulty. None of the rules to work on NT systems are new. It's just that programs could break them on 9x computers and they still worked. Your programs are doing the wrong thing, and the sad part is it is mostly little things, like saving high scores or user preferences in the wrong folder.

There are two things companies can do. Code correctly - ms makes it easy. Or issue a patch (and your Windows CD came with a program for making them) for their program. Windows can monitor programs and intercept their attempts to use the wrong folder and fix it without the program knowing. Your program suppliers are lazy.

 

[Guest]

Where is this setting found? If I change it will it affect my system in an
adverse way?

Thanks
Lonnie