Recovering files in My Documents

[Guest]

So ever since the last time I reimaged my computer, which was about a year
ago, I hadn't ever created a Windows XP user account with my name on it, and
I have just been using the default Administrator account. Just today I
created a new administrator account with my name on it, and all of the files
(photos, music, videos) in My Documents are no longer there, and I can't seem
to find them. The original Administrator login is no longer available, just
the one with my name on it. How can I transfer the files from that account
(which I don't know if I can/how to login to any more) onto my new user
account?

I also tried doing a system restore to the most recent restore point, but it
didn't work.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

So ever since the last time I reimaged my computer, which was about a year
ago, I hadn't ever created a Windows XP user account with my name on it, and
I have just been using the default Administrator account. Just today I
created a new administrator account with my name on it, and all of the files
(photos, music, videos) in My Documents are no longer there, and I can't seem
to find them. The original Administrator login is no longer available, just
the one with my name on it. How can I transfer the files from that account
(which I don't know if I can/how to login to any more) onto my new user
account?

As you've discovered, once any additional administrative 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. 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.

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).

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

I also tried doing a system restore to the most recent restore point, but it
didn't work.

System Restore doesn't affect/preserve/restore user data files, only
operating system files and settings.


--

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