Admin/limited accounts

[John Smith]

Hi everyone

I'm currently logging into Windows XP as Administrator because I still
use lots of software that isn't properly designed for Windows NT (i.e.
stuff that ignores user profiles or tries to write data outside the
profile folder...especially games). I can often get around these
problems by changing permissions but it feels like a bit of a fight.

Still, I keep wondering if running as Administrator is a Bad Thing. I'm
really not sure. On the one hand, I've seen posts in here by savvy users
recommending running as a limited user, which would certainly seem to be
a good idea from a security point of view, but on the other hand
Microsoft itself seems to indirectly encourage running with Admin privs.

Thoughts?

Is the use of limited accounts becoming more widespread now?

How come XP SP2 still encourages you to create an administrative, rather
than a limited, account immediately after installation? Is this an
indication of technical expediency or Microsoft's preference for the way
we should run the OS?

Also, what about running a limited account and automatic updates...how
does that work?

Is running a limited account a worthwhile security measure or an
unnecessary pain in the butt?

As you can see, I'm interested in general comments or opinions.

Thanks!

 

[Kelly]

Hi John,

Run XP with Admin privileges but not the System Admin. Limited accounts
mean exactly that, to be limited.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[John Smith]

Hi John,

Run XP with Admin privileges but not the System Admin. Limited accounts
mean exactly that, to be limited.

Hi Kelly

Thanks. That was kind of what I wanted to hear

Could you explain in more detail why you recommend running a second
admin account and not as 'Administrator'?

 

[Ron Sommer]

Hi Kelly

Thanks. That was kind of what I wanted to hear

Could you explain in more detail why you recommend running a second admin
account and not as 'Administrator'?

Because the System Admin will be a clean, new installation of XP.
If something happens to your admin account, you can boot to System Admin and
try and fix the problem or create a copy of System Admin and start over
without having to reinstall XP.

 

[Kelly]

Thanks, Ron great reply and good luck John. )

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

I only know spanish languaje. I must to write with my languaje.
Si creas dos cuentas con privilegios de administrador en windows xp-sp2, y a
continuacion intentas eliminar la cuenta de administrador que viene con el
sistema, éste no te lo permite; a pesar de indicarte que para eliminar tal
cuenta es necesario que la realice un segundo administrador. Si entras en
windows xp-sp2 con una cuenta de administrador o más, automaticamente deja de
estar visible la cuenta "administrador" y por lo tanto no se puede actuar
sobre ella para eliminarla. Se supone que los técnicos de windows deberían
explicar el uso de esta cuenta y la necesidad de su existencia, incluso una
vez creadas dos o tres con privilegios de administrador.
Espero que alguien responda esta cuestion.