User account

[Scott]

I would like to create an account for my wife who is a normal user. In the
new computer, there is no password Administrator account. I changed it to
password protected and tried to create a new account for my wife. It said I
must create an account with administrator right before any new accounts. I
do not understand why I need more administrator account as I got one when I
run the pc at the first time and would like to have one more account with
some restriction that prevents virus/adware when the user surfs some unknown
websites for whatever reasons. Can someone explain to me why I need to have
three accounts: two administrator right and one normal user.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Nepatsfan]

I would like to create an account for my wife who is a normal user. In the new
computer, there is no password Administrator account. I changed it to password
protected and tried to create a new account for my wife. It said I must create
an account with administrator right before any new accounts. I do not
understand why I need more administrator account as I got one when I run the pc
at the first time and would like to have one more account with some restriction
that prevents virus/adware when the user surfs some unknown websites for
whatever reasons. Can someone explain to me why I need to have three accounts:
two administrator right and one normal user.

Thanks,

Scott

It sounds as if you have XP Professional installed on the new computer and have
been using the built-in Administrator account. The reason why you're being asked
to create another administrative account is because the Administrator account is
meant to be used in emergency situations. It's not meant for everyday use.

Every computer running Windows XP has an Administrator account. If other
administrative level accounts on the computer became corrupted, you would still
have the Administrator account available to make repairs or create another admin
account. If it's the only admin account on the computer and it became corrupted,
your only recourse would be to reinstall XP.

If you've been using the Administrator account as your regular account for some
time, you can copy the profile into a new admin level user account. Take a look
at these articles for more info.

How do I copy a user profile in Windows XP?
http://www.petri.co.il/copy_user_profiles_in_windows_xp.htm

How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/811151

To complete this procedure you're going to have to create a third admin account
which can be deleted once you're done.

Good luck

Nepatsfan