User Account Creation in New/Reinstalled Vista Computer!

In Vista, you cannot select a Standard User account (i.e., a User account in Users group) when you first turn on your new computer or reinstall Vista. Your only option is to create an Administrator account (i.e., an Administrator account in Administrators group). Further, you cannot name this account as "Administrator". This is because the Administrator account (i.e., an Administrator account in Administrators group with username "Administrator") is already created when Vista is installed but disabled and hidden.

Usually, we tend to name this first account (i.e., an Administrator account in Administrators group) with our real name and continue to use it. If more accounts are required, we then go ahead and create Standard User accounts (i.e., a User account in Users group).

(from Microsoft Windows Vista Help):
Q: Why use a Standard User account instead of an Administrator account?
A: The Standard User account can help protect your computer by preventing users from making changes that affect everyone who uses the computer. It is recommended to create a Standard User account for each user. When you are logged on to Windows with a Standard User account, you can do anything that you can do with an Administrator account, but if you want to do something that affects other users of the computer, such as installing software or changing security settings, Windows might ask you to provide a password for an Administrator account.

What I recommend is to name this first account (i.e., an Administrator account in Administrators group) as "Superuser". Use this account to install service packs, updates, drivers, applications, utilities and games. Once you are done with the installation, create a Standard User account (i.e., a User account in Users group) for yourself. I usually use my real name as username for this account. Also if more accounts are required, go ahead and create Standard User accounts (i.e., a User account in Users group).

(from Microsoft Windows Vista Help):
Q: What is a Guest account?
A: A Guest account is an account for users who don't have a permanent account on your computer or domain. It allows people to use your computer without having access to your personal files. People using the Guest account can't install software or hardware, change settings, or create a password.

The Guest account (i.e., a Guest account in Guests group with username "Guest") is already created when Vista is installed but disabled and hidden.

If you need a Guest account, instead of enabling the default Guest account, I recommend creating another Guest account (i.e., a Guest account in Guests group). I recommend using "User" as username for this account.

Remember to use strong Passwords for all your accounts.

 

Please cast your vote!

 

First thing I did on 2 systems I own are disabling of UAC which interferes w/ alot with drivers, and softwares. It's friggin uselss IMO.

 

I did enough research on UAC and found it is better not to turn it off Remember, disabling UAC disables Protected Mode in Internet Explorer.

The prompts were rampant only during installation and configuration of softwares. In my everyday use, I have never come across the prompt.

 

You must not have BT mouse and keyboard, or use ATItool, then.

I turned off UAC, use AVG, and Spybot S & D, and never came across virus problem since I got my laptops.

I'm sure if hacker is good enough, they will just click "allow" button on the UAC lol.

 

I don't have any issues with any hardware or software with UAC on. Yes, there are no prompts with Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. I wonder why you are getting a prompt!

 

What BT mouse and keyboard are you using?

It wasn't matter of the prompt, but it was interfering with drivers.

After UAC off, no problem at all.

 

Dell, Logitech, Apple. No drivers were ever installed. All are working fine. I don't own any of them though.

PS: You have changed the topic. Anyways, would you mind voting?

 

Can you be more detailed on what kind of BT device you have? Just sounds to me you don't own ANY if you simply put manufacturers.

 

I don't own any. I use my friend's when am I over at their place. This is what I had used: Apple Wireless Keyboard, Logitech V470 Mouse, Dell Travel Mouse. Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard (Don't remember the model number) None of them have any USB dongle.

 

I'm the first of the admittedly small number to vote Administrator Account in Administrator Group (didn't even know there were two groups, thought it was plain old user/administrator). I've always used Administrator accounts, from 3.1 through XP, so it was just natural to keep doing so. Plus this way I don't have to reboot just to change a setting. Much more convenient.

I also disabled UAC - if you modify files in C:\Program Files at all, it's a must to disable it. And Protected Mode in IE isn't helpful if you use Opera.

:laugh: Good point. It doesn't even have a password.

And while I've left my administrator account with no password, I did enable a BIOS password. 'Course, I keep all my important stuff on a USB drive cause of Vista crashing, so protecting the hard drive isn't what I'm concerned about, anyway.

 

I dont agree completely on this.... UAC really bugs me every time I try to install something..... Also I play around with management console a lot and so it wont be good if it bugs me every time.... UAC is only useful for novice users who might accidentally mess something with the system.... But for users who always want to have administrator rights it is really a pain.... So it is more person dependent.....

 

What do you usually use as your username?

 

My username is merely Ash.... And why are you asking that ? You thought I was using the builtin Admin account ? The builtin Admin account is disabled by default but you can enable it I guess...

 

I wasn't asking the question to you in particular. I was just curious. I am tired of the cryptic usernames, my office assigns and hunting here for an idea.

 

Yeah at the place where I work too they have created strange usernames in Windows for me

 

I have two accounts: an administrator account named "Admin" and a user account with my name.
When I have to install something (program, drivers) or I want to tamper with Vista's settings (but also modifying the partition table) I log in as admin.
When I have to use the laptop, that is using what I did install as administrator, I log in as user.
The admin account has all eyecandy turned off, links to administrative tools on the desktop, already set to run as administrator, and shows all the files, hidden and superhidden.

UAC is maybe one of the few good things in Vista. Granted, it can be rather annoying, but I think it's worth it. I think it's rather stupid though to have that "allow" windows when one is logged in as administrator. Only users should see them, and only with a password (that should be at least 8 charsd long, but Vista accepts shorter password - perhaps in Microsoft they like hackers).

 

For the administrator account I suggest "God".
It's short, it's easy to remember.
Maybe a tad immodest.

 

If you are remotely trying to access, sometimes you need a username that is atleast 8 characters long.

So instead of God how about "Almighty"

Doesn't change the meaning!

 

I found in some households, they just create one account (usually their last name/surname) and everybody in the family uses this account (in fact no logging is ever done as the computer boots by default to this account without any password). Your thoughts?

When asked why, they said something about data loss (earlier) due to Vista's file ownership and permission issues. Does anybody know how to ensure every folder/file you create is accessible by every account?

 

noob question: what's the advantage of using a User account rather than the standard admin account you get upon setup?

 

A "standard" user account-one you create after Windows Vista setup is complete, gives you more protection because it limits what changes can be made to your system-either by a person or a program. The account you created during the Vista setup process defaults to an "administrator" account that allows (almost-your still one step below the true "administrator" account) full access to all system settings.

In Windows XP SP2, Microsoft began to recommend that people create two accounts for themselves-one Administrator account for installing software and performing maintenance, and a (in XP terms) "Limited" account for everyday use. Many people still ran under an Administrator account because, unlike in Windows Vista, there was no "easy" way to run a specific program as an administrator while using a Limited account. You would have to "switch users" to make your changes. (Yes you could use the Run As command, but many beginners didn't understand) In Windows Vista, though, UAC helps by A: Clearly defining what needs administrator privileges (the shield icon over certain options/programs) and B: Allowing a "Standard" user to quickly gain temporary administrator rights by simply entering the password of an administrator user at the UAC prompt.

I use a standard account for most of my stuff-only typing the password at the UAC prompts when I need to tinker around.

 

In Linux I like to use the normal account most of the times since if I accidentally give a rm -rf * in / when running as root I may delete all the files in my system..... But in Windows I generally like to run as Admin as because UAC is not so powerful as su or sudo under linux.... It is more or less annoying..... For most of the day to day operations I perform on my Windows it would be frequently popping the UAC prompt only.... So I like better to disable UAC and run as Admin...