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Understanding User Accounts in Windows XP
Everyone who uses Windows XP needs a user account. User
accounts act like cocktail party nametags and help Windows
recognize who's sitting at the keyboard. Windows XP dishes out
three types of user accounts: Administrator, Limited, and Guest.
Each type of account gets to do different functions on the
computer. If the computer were an apartment building, the
administrator would be the manager, the limited accounts would
be the tenants, and guests would only get to drop by and use the
bathroom in the lobby.
The administrator controls the computer, deciding who gets to
use it and what they can do on it. Limited accounts can use the
computer, but they can't make any big changes to it. Guests can
also use the computer, but their actions are tightly restricted.
On a computer running Windows XP Home, the owner usually holds
the administrator account. He or she then sets up accounts for
other household members, changing their accounts when needed,
fixing lost passwords, and if desired, peeking into other users'
files. Here's the important part: Only administrators can
install software and change the computer's hardware.
In a family, the parents usually hold administrator accounts,
the kids usually have limited accounts, and the babysitter logs
in using the guest account.
On computers running Windows XP Professional, the administrator
holds the same privileges and more. But because Windows XP
Professional offers many more security features and settings,
its administrator in an office setting is often a full time job.
To see what version of Windows XP you're using, Home or
Professional, click the Start button, right click on My
Computer, and choose Properties from the pop up menu. On the
first page ù the one beneath the General tab ù your version is
listed beneath the word System.
Administrators should create limited accounts for people who use
the computer on a regular basis. Windows XP then keeps track of
the way each limited account member prefers the computer to be
set up. After a limited account user logs on, Windows XP
displays that person's favorite desktop and background, and
remembers his or her favorite Internet Explorer Web sites.
Everything looks just the way that user set it up.
Administrators should create a single guest account for people
the computer doesn't need to recognize. Guests can use the
programs and log on to the Internet or read their e mail, but
they can't change any settings, install programs, or burn CDs.
More than one person can hold an administrator account on a
computer. In fact, all the users can hold one, if the computer's
owner prefers that. That lets anybody install software and
change important computer settings. (It also lets everybody peek
into each other's files.)
When you install Windows XP, the software automatically grants
administrator status to every account you create. After the
installation is complete, be sure to change these accounts to
limited or guest status unless you trust those people to handle
your computer wisely. |