XP Pro Administrator question

[Borrall Wonnell]

Hi all,

I have set up my system for multiple users, via the Welcome screen. I
would like ONE account to have administrative access (i.e. the
"administrator" account). Unfortunately, it seems that XP *REQUIRES*
me to have at least one user set up as an administrator. Is there any
way to achieve this?

FWIW, I'm using the Control Panel -> User Accounts interface to try and
change settings. When I select a particular user and try to change the
account type, I am provided with two options: "Computer administrator"
and "Limited". I cannot force all users to be "Limited" accounts, even
though I am logged in under the administrator account.

The text indicates: "You must assign another user on this computer with
a computer administrator account before you can change this user's
account type. This ensures that there is always at least one user with
a computer administrator account on this computer."

W.T.F.? There IS a computer administrator account on the
computer...and I'm using it! Grrr.

While I'm at it, does anyone have any information regarding user
profile management? I understand that I can change the "default user"
profile before creating new accounts, but this method doesn't seem
particularly powerful. I'd like to be able to set a default
background, icon set, taskbar/startmenu options, etc. without having to
log in to each account and do it manually.
This is particularly painful because each time I format (relatively
often) I've got to manually configure all user accounts again. It's
only 3 accounts, but still a bit of work.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Malke]

Hi all,

I have set up my system for multiple users, via the Welcome screen. I
would like ONE account to have administrative access (i.e. the
"administrator" account). Unfortunately, it seems that XP *REQUIRES*
me to have at least one user set up as an administrator. Is there any
way to achieve this?

FWIW, I'm using the Control Panel -> User Accounts interface to try
and
change settings. When I select a particular user and try to change
the account type, I am provided with two options: "Computer
administrator"
and "Limited". I cannot force all users to be "Limited" accounts,
even though I am logged in under the administrator account.

The text indicates: "You must assign another user on this computer
with a computer administrator account before you can change this
user's
account type. This ensures that there is always at least one user
with a computer administrator account on this computer."

W.T.F.? There IS a computer administrator account on the
computer...and I'm using it! Grrr.

While I'm at it, does anyone have any information regarding user
profile management? I understand that I can change the "default user"
profile before creating new accounts, but this method doesn't seem
particularly powerful. I'd like to be able to set a default
background, icon set, taskbar/startmenu options, etc. without having
to log in to each account and do it manually.
This is particularly painful because each time I format (relatively
often) I've got to manually configure all user accounts again. It's
only 3 accounts, but still a bit of work.

Well, I guess XP Home (which is apparently what you have) is just made
that way. Actually, it is a very good idea to have more than one user
account with administrative privileges in case the built-in
Administrator account becomes corrupted. There is no big deal about
making another "Computer Administrator" account and you never have to
use it unless there is an emergency. Then you will be glad to have a
backup administrator account.

As for the default profile, see:

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

How To Create a Custom Default User Profile -
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=319974

Create an XP Pro Mandatory User Profile on the Local Machine -
http://www.tweakxp.com/article139898.aspx

How To Assign a Mandatory User Profile in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307800&sd=tech

Malke

 

[Borrall Wonnell]

Well, I guess XP Home (which is apparently what you have) is just made

that way. Actually, it is a very good idea to have more than one user
account with administrative privileges in case the built-in
Administrator account becomes corrupted. There is no big deal about
making another "Computer Administrator" account and you never have to
use it unless there is an emergency. Then you will be glad to have a
backup administrator account.

Actually, I am using XP Pro. What makes you think I am using
Home...the fact that I'm using the Welcome screen? Surprisingly
enough, this was the default configuration. Perhaps due to an OEM XP
installation? Regardless, I actually prefer the Welcome screen for my
purposes.

The reason I would like a singular computer administrator is to force
me to use my admin account to install programs or make changes. Also,
I am constantly being reinforced with the idea that using an
administrative account offers less security.

Thanks for the links...I'll check 'em out. I've also discovered that
tweakxp.com has quite a bit of information.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Malke]

Actually, I am using XP Pro. What makes you think I am using
Home...the fact that I'm using the Welcome screen? Surprisingly
enough, this was the default configuration. Perhaps due to an OEM XP
installation? Regardless, I actually prefer the Welcome screen for my
purposes.

The reason I would like a singular computer administrator is to force
me to use my admin account to install programs or make changes. Also,
I am constantly being reinforced with the idea that using an
administrative account offers less security.

Thanks for the links...I'll check 'em out. I've also discovered that
tweakxp.com has quite a bit of information.

I thought you were using Home because you referred to either "Computer
Administrator" or "Limited" which are the only choices in Home. In Pro,
you have administrators, power users, and regular users and even other
permutations of user accounts and groups. Since you have Pro, your
choices are far greater and you can also set very fine-grained
permissions/restrictions. However, since there is only you on the
machine I wouldn't bother with any of that. Make yourself a regular
user account and use it every day. You can always use "runas" if you
need to elevate privileges or log into any administrator account.

Malke

 

[Rock]

Actually, I am using XP Pro. What makes you think I am using
Home...the fact that I'm using the Welcome screen? Surprisingly
enough, this was the default configuration. Perhaps due to an OEM XP
installation? Regardless, I actually prefer the Welcome screen for my
purposes.

The reason I would like a singular computer administrator is to force
me to use my admin account to install programs or make changes. Also,
I am constantly being reinforced with the idea that using an
administrative account offers less security.

Thanks for the links...I'll check 'em out. I've also discovered that
tweakxp.com has quite a bit of information.

Cheers,
Dave

It is not a good practice to use the built in Administrator account for
routine activities. It should be kept as a backup in case something causes
a problem with the other accounts. You should have one account with
administrator privileges and use that account to perform admin level tasks,
not the built in account. That's why XP Pro requires there be at least one
account with admin privileges.