Admin Confusion

[saturndude]

Hi all,

The pamphlet I got with XP (it did come w/hardware, COA and license key) told me how to set up limited accounts, and not to run as Admin unless you need to (good for security). Just like I've been doing in Linux for some time now.

I think I created an account ("mike") during XP setup, which apparently is an Admin account by default. In order to manage accounts, the pamphlet tells me to boot into safe mode, then choose Control Panel, and click on "user accounts" to create admin and limited accounts. Next time I reboot, I won't be in safe mode, and the accounts should appear correctly, but they don't.

Accounts I create in safe mode aren't always visible when I boot normally. And when I boot normally, the account(s) I created in safe mode are not visible. I would like to have one Admin account, instead of two (one created during install and one created after, while I was in safe mode). I would also like only one set of user accounts for other family members.

So when I boot into safe mode, I have one Admin account, and Windows won't let me delete it. When I boot normally, I have a different Admin account (not the same name) and cannot get rid of it. I think I also have users created in safe mode that aren't visible when booting regularly.

Please don't flame me. I'm sorry if this is well-documented elsewhere. I really did try to research this myself, I just didn't find anything. How can I reduce these unwanted accounts? Do I reinstall XP and create all accounts in safe mode afterwards? Any advice?

Edited May 6, 2006 by saturndude

[net_user]

you do not have to be in "safe mode" to create accounts...wether it's an admin or limited account.

[Grunth0s]

One thing to clarify...

During the setup of windows, you would have been asked for an admin password.

Later, post install, you would have been asked for the username for the normal account.

If you go into safe mode, you will see an additional account called administrator, this is the account that you were asked the password for during installation.

The post install account that you named Mike will still be an administrative account, as this is the default first user.

Either of these accounts will give you administrative access, however, the adminsitrator account will not be visible unless you are in safe mode (I think there is a way of getting it in normal mode using ctrl-alt-del twice at the log-on screen (don't quote me on that though!))

It is possible that you have used the administrator account in safe mode to reduce the permissions on the default first account, and no longer have administrative rights on your own PC.

[Jeremy]

ctrl-alt-del twice at the log-on screen (don't quote me on that though!)

Correct.

[saturndude]

Thanks guys!

I reinstalled XP. When I boot normally, I have:

One administrator account called "admin". I'll password protect it soon.

One limited account called "Mike".

When I boot into safe mode, I have an administrative account called "Administrator", and I can probably see the ones I created outside of safe mode (during the initial install). I don't remember *_exactly_* what I was asked during intall, unfortunately.

This is not too bad, and is probably as simple and straightforward as it gets.

As for pressing <ctrl> - <alt> - <del> twice, I'll have to try it.

So far I've only done a few things (SP2, activate, turn on Windows Update, CD autorun=off, Sun Java, mobo and video drivers). Much remains to be done (Office 97, alternative browser, add Eudora, Acrobat Reader, flash plugin).

So far, XP is turning out to be pretty nice. And MS isn't half as evil as some say it is. Thanks for the help!!!

Edited May 7, 2006 by saturndude

[Takeshi]

You didn't say if you use XP Home or Professional. There're some differences in accounts.

In XP HE, the built-in Administrator account is only accessible in Safe Mode. The Ctrl-Alt-Del method won't do, only for XP Pro.

XP Pro also comes with the Local Users and Groups mmc snap-in where you can manage user accounts and groups. Although the same file (lusrmgr.msc) is also present in XP HE, it won't work and I've never figured out why it's there.

[saturndude]

Silly Me! I forgot to mention -- it is XP Home.

[DonDamm]

As a general rule, it's a good idea to rename the administrator account.

Then, the first account you create is an administrator level account. to delete it later youeither have to do it from another administrator account, or as noted from the built in one which you gave a passwrod to when you set it up. Indeed, the Ctrl-Alt-Del trick will get it to show on the start screen or you could just change the way the welcome screen presents itself and use the classic logon where you'd just type in the Administrator and Pass you created.

Once you've logged on with the built in account in regular mode it will create the profile on logon and you'll see it in the list. From there you can delete any other profile as long as you have at least one user account.

If you want to use any customized permissions you have to do that in Safe Mode, which is one of the big pains with Home. (not to mention lack of remote destop).