Adding New Admin User 1

[artesian79]

I've convinced some friends to not log in as the Administrator and to instead log into a new id that has admin authority. They have XP and I don't know how to do this. I can add a new user, but can't get to the point of making them an administrator. I want to do the following and need help as noted:

Adding a new user (done)
Make new user an Admin (need help)
Disable Administrator ID (I can see how to do this)
Move all user created files and desktop from Admin to the new user (need help - am afraid to "try" what seems logical)

I've already eliminated a trojan due to the open Administrator. Since the system was builtwith only this ID active (reformatted a week ago), what should I watch out for in regard to making these changes?

Thanks!

 

[linney]

All new users added to XP are automatically set as Administrator Users. If you want to change them to a Limited User you use the User Accounts in Control Panel.

See "To copy a user profile" in Help and Support.

811151 - How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

If you are talking about surfer the internet it is a better suggestion to surf as a Limited User rather than the Built-in Administrator or as an Administrator User.


There is a bit more information here too.

HELP! Administrators Group Vanished
thread779-1003661

 

[artesian79]

Thanks - those were very helpful.

I was quite shocked to see that the admin cannot be disabled. I'd planned to do that for security reasons. Grief - that's an easy way in for a virus/trojan/etc.

 

[bcastner]

There is no security difference between the default Administrator and a username with Administrator priviliges.

 

[linney]

Basically the day to day running should all be done as a limited user. The odd occasions that you may require to be an Administrator are covered by the "Run As" command or by logging in as an Administrator user. Protection to the Administrator user and/or the Built-in Administrator is via the Password which should remain secure and not shared around. Further protection is ensured by limited users not having access to vital pieces of Windows.

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418

See if any of these are useful.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/security/accesscontrol.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/itpro/managing/filesharing.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/default.asp