Adverse impact of changing administrator or user account

[Guest]

In working on a laptop computer with Windows XP Professional the
administrator account was changed to a new administrator. It appears that in
doing that all of the data files, email and email address book were deleted.
My question: Would changing an administrator account or deleting a user
account also delete all of the data files, etc. created by that administrator
or user? If so, is there any way to recover the data?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

In working on a laptop computer with Windows XP Professional the
administrator account was changed to a new administrator. It appears that in
doing that all of the data files, email and email address book were deleted.
My question: Would changing an administrator account or deleting a user
account also delete all of the data files, etc. created by that administrator
or user? If so, is there any way to recover the data?

As you've discovered, once any additional user accounts have been
created, the built-in Administrator account will no longer be displayed
on the Welcome Screen. This is a default security feature.

The built-in Administrator account really was never intended to be
used for day-to-day normal use. The standard security practice is to
rename the account, set a strong password on it, and use it only to
create another account for regular use, reserving the Administrator
account as a "back door" in case something corrupts your regular account(s).

By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of
WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing
CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login
dialog box.

A wiser course of action would be to create another user account
for your daily use (as you've done), and copy desired the files and
settings from the Administrator account to this newly created user profile.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Guest]

As you've discovered, once any additional user accounts have been
created, the built-in Administrator account will no longer be displayed
on the Welcome Screen. This is a default security feature.

The built-in Administrator account really was never intended to be
used for day-to-day normal use. The standard security practice is to
rename the account, set a strong password on it, and use it only to
create another account for regular use, reserving the Administrator
account as a "back door" in case something corrupts your regular account(s).

By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of
WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing
CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login
dialog box.

A wiser course of action would be to create another user account
for your daily use (as you've done), and copy desired the files and
settings from the Administrator account to this newly created user profile.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your assistance. This problem arose in a SeniorNet lab session
and several SeniorNet volunteers have been working the problem. Much, but
not all, of the lost data was recovered using a recovery program called On
Track. It was a valuable lesson regarding the dangers of making changes to
the administrator account without knowing the consequences. Our SeniorNet
group is going to purchase an external harddrive to download all important
files before working on someone's computer. Thanks again.

renegade