Change User to Administrator

[speedy_mike]

I normally work in my own name on my stand-alone XP Pro computer. No one
else uses the machine. I have Administrator privileges. When I do system
work and the instructions say to log in as Administrator, should I really do
that? I don't actually remember how to 'change user name' to Administrator.
I have no administrator password so that's not an issue. It's just the
mechanics of how to change to the Administrator's user name...if I need to.

How can I change to the Administrator username and is it really necessary?

Mike

 

[speedy_mike]

One of my major problems with this issue is that I can't get to a "Security"
tab to change security settings for files. I'd sure like some help, please.

Mike

 

[Rock]

I normally work in my own name on my stand-alone XP Pro computer. No one
else uses the machine. I have Administrator privileges. When I do system
work and the instructions say to log in as Administrator, should I really
do that? I don't actually remember how to 'change user name' to
Administrator. I have no administrator password so that's not an issue.
It's just the mechanics of how to change to the Administrator's user
name...if I need to.

How can I change to the Administrator username and is it really necessary?

There is a built in Administrator account, and there can be accounts with
Administrator privilege. You can't change your account name to
Administrator, since that account actually exists, nor is there any need to
do so. And it is not good practice to use the Administrator account for day
to day activities. You are not, which is good. You should set a strong
password on it, and set it aside to use only if something damages the normal
working admin account.

An account with admin privileges in XP Pro can do everything the built in
Administrator account can. To login to the Administrator account in XP Pro,
from the welcome screen do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice, to bring up the classic login
dialog box. Type in Administrator for the user name and the password
assigned to that account.

To get to the security tab from any account with admin privileges turn off
simple file sharing which is on by default. In Start | Help and Support
search on simple file sharing for info on how to do this.

Open My Computer or Windows Explorer | Tools | Folders Options | View |
Untic "Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)". Ok out.

 

[speedy_mike]

Thanks for the response, Rock.

I guess that loging into the Administrator account is what I was really
asking. How can I do that. In XP Pro, Ctrl-Alt-Del just brings up the
Windows Task Manager for me. I don't get an option of switching accounts.

Re. simple file sharing, I'm on a stand-alone computer - not networked at
all so security - over a network - is not an issue. If simple file sharing
is enabled (as recommended) aren't all the files and folders available to
any program on the computer or do I need to DISable simple file sharing to
get the security tab so I can change protections? Generally, I don't like
to go against the 'recommended' options. What do you think? What are the
ramifications of disabling simple file sharing?

Thanks for your help!

Mike

 

[Kelly]

Hi Mike,

Boot into safe mode, easiest method: Start/Run/Msconfig
Boot.ini tab and check off safeboot. Revert before leaving safe mode

Added info:

To gain access to the System default Admin account once hidden:

On Pro Edition, from the Welcome Screen, press ctrl-Alt-Delete Twice. On
Home, boot to Safe Mode, and logon.

Tip:

TweakUI/Logon/Show Administrator on the Welcome Screen
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp

Or...

Enable/Disable Administrator on Welcome Screen (Line 5)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Note:

If you have disabled the built in administrator account, booting into
Safe Mode will automatically enable it again (temporarily, for that
Safe Mode session).

Added note: If you want to logon to one of the other users, hold down shift
as the system boots up.


--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

SUPERAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com?rid=3154

 

[Rock]

Thanks for the response, Rock.

I guess that loging into the Administrator account is what I was really
asking. How can I do that. In XP Pro, Ctrl-Alt-Del just brings up the
Windows Task Manager for me. I don't get an option of switching accounts.

Re. simple file sharing, I'm on a stand-alone computer - not networked at
all so security - over a network - is not an issue. If simple file
sharing is enabled (as recommended) aren't all the files and folders
available to any program on the computer or do I need to DISable simple
file sharing to get the security tab so I can change protections?
Generally, I don't like to go against the 'recommended' options. What do
you think? What are the ramifications of disabling simple file sharing?

Thanks for your help!

Mike

You do Ctrl-Alt-Del at the Welcome Screen when the system boots.

There is no down side to disabling simple file sharing. Google is a good
tool to answer these questions as is Start | Help and Support in XP.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm