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|
I am the only one using this computer and it has two accounts: Admninistrator
and User.
When I bought this pre-owned computer, it was signed in as an
'Administrator' (which I did not know at the time).
I installed programs and customized settings under this account. When I
realized that it should all be under the 'User Account,' I copied everything
but now have 'duplicate' files on both accounts, taking up unnecessary space.
How do I delete programs on the Administrator' account and go back to the
'original' Windows XP settings before I customized them or should programs
be installed/settings be customized in Administrator mode?
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|
I should have added that I am using Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 3 and IE
7.
"Summer1" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > I am the only one using this computer and it has two accounts: Admninistrator
> and User.
>
> When I bought this pre-owned computer, it was signed in as an
> 'Administrator' (which I did not know at the time).
>
> I installed programs and customized settings under this account. When I
> realized that it should all be under the 'User Account,' I copied everything
> but now have 'duplicate' files on both accounts, taking up unnecessary space.
>
> How do I delete programs on the Administrator' account and go back to the
> 'original' Windows XP settings before I customized them or should programs
> be installed/settings be customized in Administrator mode?
>
|
|
Summer1 wrote:
[Quoted Text] > I should have added that I am using Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 3 and
> IE 7.
>
> "Summer1" wrote:
>
>> I am the only one using this computer and it has two accounts:
>> Admninistrator and User.
>>
>> When I bought this pre-owned computer, it was signed in as an
>> 'Administrator' (which I did not know at the time).
>>
>> I installed programs and customized settings under this account. When I
>> realized that it should all be under the 'User Account,' I copied
>> everything but now have 'duplicate' files on both accounts, taking up
>> unnecessary space.
>>
>> How do I delete programs on the Administrator' account and go back to the
>> 'original' Windows XP settings before I customized them or should
>> programs be installed/settings be customized in Administrator mode?
>>
You do not delete programs under user accounts. Programs are global. You can
delete *data* from the Administrator's My Documents if you have duplicated
it in your own user account's My Documents. You can also run CCleaner in
the Administrator account to get rid of temporary files. Caveat: do not use
the registry tools or any of the other tools in CCleaner or there is a good
possibility you will break your system. Just use it to get rid of temporary
and Temporary Internet Files. There is no need to play about with any
settings in that account since no one will be using it and any settings
such as browser favorites take up basically no room.
To access the Administrator account simply log into it from the Welcome
Screen. Do whatever you need to do and then log back out and into your
regular account. If you can't see the Administrator account on the Welcome
Screen, since you have XP Pro:
At the Welcome Screen do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get the classic logon box.
Enter "Administrator" (without the quotes of course) for the username and
whatever password you assigned. If you didn't assign a password, leave that
field blank and hit Enter.
Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
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"Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E11A49DB-5FC4-4F10-B901-D1BD66A2A795[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > How do I delete programs on the Administrator' account and go back to the
> 'original' Windows XP settings before I customized them or should programs
> be installed/settings be customized in Administrator mode?
1. Programs (software) are not peculiar to certain accounts.
They are installed under WinXP and available to everyone.
2. Default settings permit only Administrator accounts to
instal or uninstal software. (You may have more than one
Admin. account if you like.)
3. Because you transferred your everyday desktop and settings
from Admin to User, you may find it useful to create a new
Admin account, and customize it differently (done via / Control
Panell / Users.) It would be wise to keep the old Admin account
for some weeks, until you are sure it is genuinely not needed
because the new one does what you want (and the everyday
User account does what you want.)
--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)
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|
Hiya :)
I definitely have XP Pro.
I do not want to 'delete' data.
I want to make sure that I am being clear: I installed programs and
customized settings under Admin. Since I should not be signed in as Admin on
a regular basis, I created a 'User profile but then realized that I had to
'copy' my progrtams from Admin. Now I have 'two' accounts with the 'exact'
same info-Isn't that taking up space?
"Malke" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > Summer1 wrote: > > > I should have added that I am using Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 3 and > > IE 7. > > > > "Summer1" wrote: > > > >> I am the only one using this computer and it has two accounts: > >> Admninistrator and User. > >> > >> When I bought this pre-owned computer, it was signed in as an > >> 'Administrator' (which I did not know at the time). > >> > >> I installed programs and customized settings under this account. When I > >> realized that it should all be under the 'User Account,' I copied > >> everything but now have 'duplicate' files on both accounts, taking up > >> unnecessary space. > >> > >> How do I delete programs on the Administrator' account and go back to the > >> 'original' Windows XP settings before I customized them or should > >> programs be installed/settings be customized in Administrator mode? > >> > > You do not delete programs under user accounts. Programs are global. You can > delete *data* from the Administrator's My Documents if you have duplicated > it in your own user account's My Documents. You can also run CCleaner in > the Administrator account to get rid of temporary files. Caveat: do not use > the registry tools or any of the other tools in CCleaner or there is a good > possibility you will break your system. Just use it to get rid of temporary > and Temporary Internet Files. There is no need to play about with any > settings in that account since no one will be using it and any settings > such as browser favorites take up basically no room. > > To access the Administrator account simply log into it from the Welcome > Screen. Do whatever you need to do and then log back out and into your > regular account. If you can't see the Administrator account on the Welcome > Screen, since you have XP Pro: > > At the Welcome Screen do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get the classic logon box. > Enter "Administrator" (without the quotes of course) for the username and > whatever password you assigned. If you didn't assign a password, leave that > field blank and hit Enter. > > Malke > -- > MS-MVP > Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! > FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ> > |
|
o, the fact that I have th same programs in both Admin 'and' User accounts
does not mean that the programs are using ip'double the amount of space?'
When installing programs, should I do it in Admin or User settings? Since I
use 'User' primarily, if I installed under 'Admin,' it would mean having to
'copy' that program to 'User' every time I installed something.
"Don Phillipson" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:E11A49DB-5FC4-4F10-B901-D1BD66A2A795[ at ]microsoft.com...
>
> > How do I delete programs on the Administrator' account and go back to the
> > 'original' Windows XP settings before I customized them or should programs
> > be installed/settings be customized in Administrator mode?
>
> 1. Programs (software) are not peculiar to certain accounts.
> They are installed under WinXP and available to everyone.
> 2. Default settings permit only Administrator accounts to
> instal or uninstal software. (You may have more than one
> Admin. account if you like.)
> 3. Because you transferred your everyday desktop and settings
> from Admin to User, you may find it useful to create a new
> Admin account, and customize it differently (done via / Control
> Panell / Users.) It would be wise to keep the old Admin account
> for some weeks, until you are sure it is genuinely not needed
> because the new one does what you want (and the everyday
> User account does what you want.)
> --
> Don Phillipson
> Carlsbad Springs
> (Ottawa, Canada)
>
>
>
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Oh wait!
I am getting mixed up.
Here is what I was thinking: I installed programs under Admin. Then, I
created a User account and could not 'see' the same programs in the 'same'
order on the 'desktop' so I 'assumed' that I had to 'copy' the programs to
the 'User' account but like you said, programs are available to 'every' user
account so I should have just created 'icons' on the desktop for the 'User'
account.
The fact that programs are available on 'every' account (example:
Administrator and 5 User accounts) does not mean that the program is taking
up 'extra space' in each account.
"Summer1" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > o, the fact that I have th same programs in both Admin 'and' User accounts
> does not mean that the programs are using ip'double the amount of space?'
>
> When installing programs, should I do it in Admin or User settings? Since I
> use 'User' primarily, if I installed under 'Admin,' it would mean having to
> 'copy' that program to 'User' every time I installed something.
>
> "Don Phillipson" wrote:
>
> > "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:E11A49DB-5FC4-4F10-B901-D1BD66A2A795[ at ]microsoft.com...
> >
> > > How do I delete programs on the Administrator' account and go back to the
> > > 'original' Windows XP settings before I customized them or should programs
> > > be installed/settings be customized in Administrator mode?
> >
> > 1. Programs (software) are not peculiar to certain accounts.
> > They are installed under WinXP and available to everyone.
> > 2. Default settings permit only Administrator accounts to
> > instal or uninstal software. (You may have more than one
> > Admin. account if you like.)
> > 3. Because you transferred your everyday desktop and settings
> > from Admin to User, you may find it useful to create a new
> > Admin account, and customize it differently (done via / Control
> > Panell / Users.) It would be wise to keep the old Admin account
> > for some weeks, until you are sure it is genuinely not needed
> > because the new one does what you want (and the everyday
> > User account does what you want.)
> > --
> > Don Phillipson
> > Carlsbad Springs
> > (Ottawa, Canada)
> >
> >
> >
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"Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0C5884DC-76E7-4B42-BB56-5E4C1B6DF63E[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > o, the fact that I have th same programs in both Admin 'and' User accounts
> does not mean that the programs are using ip'double the amount of space?'
>
> When installing programs, should I do it in Admin or User settings? Since
I
> use 'User' primarily, if I installed under 'Admin,' it would mean having
to
> 'copy' that program to 'User' every time I installed something.
Not so: when Administrator instals software, it is available by
default to any User. (You can then customize to restrict this.)
Try it and see. E.g. download the excellent graphic viewer
from www.irfanview.com instal it as Admin, and you will find
it on the /all programs (newest installations at the end.)
You can then customize the programs menus for Admin.
and User for your own convenience. E.g. something Admin
uses rarely or never can be left under / all programs but if
User uses it every day you probably want to /Pin it (feature
it in the left column.)
--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)
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|
Should I be installing programs in 'Admin' or 'User' mode or does not matter?
The fact that the 'programs' are available to all does not mean that they
are 'taking up' more space then.
Lastly, because I did not see 'all' the icons in 'User' mode that I saw in
'Admin mode,' I figured that I had to 'copy' the programs. Am I correct that
I just had to make 'shortcuts' for those programs under 'User?'
"Don Phillipson" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:0C5884DC-76E7-4B42-BB56-5E4C1B6DF63E[ at ]microsoft.com...
>
> > o, the fact that I have th same programs in both Admin 'and' User accounts
> > does not mean that the programs are using ip'double the amount of space?'
> >
> > When installing programs, should I do it in Admin or User settings? Since
> I
> > use 'User' primarily, if I installed under 'Admin,' it would mean having
> to
> > 'copy' that program to 'User' every time I installed something.
>
> Not so: when Administrator instals software, it is available by
> default to any User. (You can then customize to restrict this.)
> Try it and see. E.g. download the excellent graphic viewer
> from www.irfanview.com instal it as Admin, and you will find
> it on the /all programs (newest installations at the end.)
>
> You can then customize the programs menus for Admin.
> and User for your own convenience. E.g. something Admin
> uses rarely or never can be left under / all programs but if
> User uses it every day you probably want to /Pin it (feature
> it in the left column.)
>
> --
> Don Phillipson
> Carlsbad Springs
> (Ottawa, Canada)
>
>
>
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|
"Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:04D477DD-0F93-42EF-B3CC-6EB2DCC84F59[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > Should I be installing programs in 'Admin' or 'User' mode or does not
> matter?
>
> The fact that the 'programs' are available to all does not mean that they
> are 'taking up' more space then.
>
> Lastly, because I did not see 'all' the icons in 'User' mode that I saw in
> 'Admin mode,' I figured that I had to 'copy' the programs. Am I correct
> that
> I just had to make 'shortcuts' for those programs under 'User?'
>
> "Don Phillipson" wrote:
>
>> "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:0C5884DC-76E7-4B42-BB56-5E4C1B6DF63E[ at ]microsoft.com...
>>
>> > o, the fact that I have th same programs in both Admin 'and' User
>> > accounts
>> > does not mean that the programs are using ip'double the amount of
>> > space?'
>> >
>> > When installing programs, should I do it in Admin or User settings?
>> > Since
>> I
>> > use 'User' primarily, if I installed under 'Admin,' it would mean
>> > having
>> to
>> > 'copy' that program to 'User' every time I installed something.
>>
>> Not so: when Administrator instals software, it is available by
>> default to any User. (You can then customize to restrict this.)
>> Try it and see. E.g. download the excellent graphic viewer
>> from www.irfanview.com instal it as Admin, and you will find
>> it on the /all programs (newest installations at the end.)
>>
>> You can then customize the programs menus for Admin.
>> and User for your own convenience. E.g. something Admin
>> uses rarely or never can be left under / all programs but if
>> User uses it every day you probably want to /Pin it (feature
>> it in the left column.)
>>
>> --
>> Don Phillipson
>> Carlsbad Springs
>> (Ottawa, Canada)
>>
>>
>>
You should always install programs with an account that is a member of the
administrators group.
You did not see the icons (i. e. shortcuts) in the 'User' account because
they were added to Desktop folder in the folder tree for the 'Administrator'
account.
The easy way to overcome this problem is the move the desired shortcuts from
the Desktop folder for the 'Administrator' account to the Desktop folder for
the 'All Users' folder tree.
Windows Explorer show shortcuts from the Desktop folder for the particular
account and the shortcuts from the Desktop folder for 'All Users'.
Jim
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Jim, thanks for your reply.
All of my programs were installed using my Administrator account.
I used the following link to copy the files:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151-Copy files to
the new user profile.
I just wanted to make sure that the programs under Admin 'and' User were not
taking up extra space because one account is an exacyt 'duplicate' of the
other.
[Quoted Text] >
> "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:04D477DD-0F93-42EF-B3CC-6EB2DCC84F59[ at ]microsoft.com...
> > Should I be installing programs in 'Admin' or 'User' mode or does not
> > matter?
> >
> > The fact that the 'programs' are available to all does not mean that they
> > are 'taking up' more space then.
> >
> > Lastly, because I did not see 'all' the icons in 'User' mode that I saw in
> > 'Admin mode,' I figured that I had to 'copy' the programs. Am I correct
> > that
> > I just had to make 'shortcuts' for those programs under 'User?'
> >
> > "Don Phillipson" wrote:
> >
> >> "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:0C5884DC-76E7-4B42-BB56-5E4C1B6DF63E[ at ]microsoft.com...
> >>
> >> > o, the fact that I have th same programs in both Admin 'and' User
> >> > accounts
> >> > does not mean that the programs are using ip'double the amount of
> >> > space?'
> >> >
> >> > When installing programs, should I do it in Admin or User settings?
> >> > Since
> >> I
> >> > use 'User' primarily, if I installed under 'Admin,' it would mean
> >> > having
> >> to
> >> > 'copy' that program to 'User' every time I installed something.
> >>
> >> Not so: when Administrator instals software, it is available by
> >> default to any User. (You can then customize to restrict this.)
> >> Try it and see. E.g. download the excellent graphic viewer
> >> from www.irfanview.com instal it as Admin, and you will find
> >> it on the /all programs (newest installations at the end.)
> >>
> >> You can then customize the programs menus for Admin.
> >> and User for your own convenience. E.g. something Admin
> >> uses rarely or never can be left under / all programs but if
> >> User uses it every day you probably want to /Pin it (feature
> >> it in the left column.)
> >>
> >> --
> >> Don Phillipson
> >> Carlsbad Springs
> >> (Ottawa, Canada)
> >>
> >>
> >>
> You should always install programs with an account that is a member of the
> administrators group.
> You did not see the icons (i. e. shortcuts) in the 'User' account because
> they were added to Desktop folder in the folder tree for the 'Administrator'
> account.
> The easy way to overcome this problem is the move the desired shortcuts from
> the Desktop folder for the 'Administrator' account to the Desktop folder for
> the 'All Users' folder tree.
> Windows Explorer show shortcuts from the Desktop folder for the particular
> account and the shortcuts from the Desktop folder for 'All Users'.
> Jim
>
>
>
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Sorry Everyone for not being clear.
Here is what I want to know:
I installed programs and customized settings under the 'Administrator
account.'
Since I am the 'only' user and I know that I should be in 'User' mode for
daily use, I created a 'User' account. Is the 'User' account a 'duplicate'
copy of the 'Admin' account in terms of programs installed and settings
customized? OR: Should I have created a 'User' account first and installed
and customized everything without going into the 'Administrator account-This
way both accounts would not be duplicates of each other?'
After I created the 'User' account, I went to the Microsoft 'Help Article'
at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151 and
followed the instructions for 'Copy Files to the New User Profile.'
Does the fact that I have 'two' accounts' with the same info mean that
'extra space' is being taken up? Can I 'leave' the two accounts as they are?
|
|
Summer1 wrote:
[Quoted Text] > Hiya :)
>
> I definitely have XP Pro.
>
> I do not want to 'delete' data.
>
> I want to make sure that I am being clear: I installed programs and
> customized settings under Admin. Since I should not be signed in as Admin
> on a regular basis, I created a 'User profile but then realized that I had
> to 'copy' my progrtams from Admin. Now I have 'two' accounts with the
> 'exact' same info-Isn't that taking up space?
You have posted some version of this exact same question multiple times and
you have gotten the same answer multiple times. I just don't know how much
more clear anyone can make this for you.
Delete any data you don't want in the Administrator account's My Documents.
If you have copied the data to your regular user account's My Documents,
you will still have it there. It doesn't magically get deleted from two
user accounts simultaneously. Delete any Temporary and Temporary Internet
Files in the Administrator account. Leave everything else alone.
If you still can't figure it out, do as another poster suggested and have
either a knowledgeable friend or a computer professional come on-site and
straighten things out for you.
Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
|
|
"Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:56E6EEF3-A87B-48D0-80BA-3EBA21E26824[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > Sorry Everyone for not being clear. > > Here is what I want to know: > > I installed programs and customized settings under the 'Administrator > account.' > > Since I am the 'only' user and I know that I should be in 'User' mode for > daily use, I created a 'User' account. Is the 'User' account a 'duplicate' > copy of the 'Admin' account in terms of programs installed and settings > customized? OR: Should I have created a 'User' account first and installed > and customized everything without going into the 'Administrator > account-This > way both accounts would not be duplicates of each other?' > > After I created the 'User' account, I went to the Microsoft 'Help Article' > at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151 and > followed the instructions for 'Copy Files to the New User Profile.' > > Does the fact that I have 'two' accounts' with the same info mean that > 'extra space' is being taken up? Can I 'leave' the two accounts as they > are? > > > > > > > >
described. Shortcuts don't take up much space though.
The other files that you copied take up twice as much space though. There
is one set of files in the administrator folder tree and another set of
files in the user folder tree.
To answer your questions: There is only one set of programs that are
installed. There are two sets of shortcuts. There are two sets of whatever
files may be needed for customization.
If you did as I described, there would only be one set of shortcuts (which
all accounts can see),
If you create the 'user' account before loading all of the programs, there
only needs to be one set of customizations.
The way that you did this will result in a divergence between the two
accounts regardless of how careful you are. What you have really done is to
add unnecessary complications.
Jim
|
|
"Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EEF9C9F8-A1BE-4E32-886B-7140F9E4215F[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > Hiya :)
>
> I definitely have XP Pro.
>
> I do not want to 'delete' data.
>
> I want to make sure that I am being clear: I installed programs and
> customized settings under Admin. Since I should not be signed in as Admin
> on
> a regular basis, I created a 'User profile but then realized that I had to
> 'copy' my progrtams from Admin.
Actually you don't have to do this. You only need a *shortcut* to the
program, you do not have to copy the program itself, and there is a big
difference between a shortcut and a program.
You could have no shortcuts at all, and just use the command prompt to
navigate and launch programs. The inconvenience of that approach will
show you why shortucts exist.
Even if you reinstall to the new user account, as long as you use the same
destination folders, there is no real increase in drive space use.
Applications that are aware of user accounts (like MS Office apps) will
sometimes want you to enter a little bit of information the first time you
run them under a new account.
> Now I have 'two' accounts with the 'exact'
> same info-Isn't that taking up space?
If you've done what I suspect you've done, copying shortcuts, it's an
insignificantly small amount of space. These files generally take up the
smallest amount of disk space a file can; on my system, a shortcut is under
700 bytes and takes 4K of drive space.
Settings files also tend to be very small. Frankly, this just isn't worth
your time.
If the shortcuts are in the All Users desktop folder, there's only one copy
of the shortcut for all users. Anything specific to those apps and user
accounts will still apply - it doesn't matter where the shortcut is, it
matters what account it's run under.
HTH
-pk
>
> "Malke" wrote:
>
>> Summer1 wrote:
>>
>> > I should have added that I am using Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 3
>> > and
>> > IE 7.
>> >
>> > "Summer1" wrote:
>> >
>> >> I am the only one using this computer and it has two accounts:
>> >> Admninistrator and User.
>> >>
>> >> When I bought this pre-owned computer, it was signed in as an
>> >> 'Administrator' (which I did not know at the time).
>> >>
>> >> I installed programs and customized settings under this account. When
>> >> I
>> >> realized that it should all be under the 'User Account,' I copied
>> >> everything but now have 'duplicate' files on both accounts, taking up
>> >> unnecessary space.
>> >>
>> >> How do I delete programs on the Administrator' account and go back to
>> >> the
>> >> 'original' Windows XP settings before I customized them or should
>> >> programs be installed/settings be customized in Administrator mode?
>> >>
>>
>> You do not delete programs under user accounts. Programs are global. You
>> can
>> delete *data* from the Administrator's My Documents if you have
>> duplicated
>> it in your own user account's My Documents. You can also run CCleaner in
>> the Administrator account to get rid of temporary files. Caveat: do not
>> use
>> the registry tools or any of the other tools in CCleaner or there is a
>> good
>> possibility you will break your system. Just use it to get rid of
>> temporary
>> and Temporary Internet Files. There is no need to play about with any
>> settings in that account since no one will be using it and any settings
>> such as browser favorites take up basically no room.
>>
>> To access the Administrator account simply log into it from the Welcome
>> Screen. Do whatever you need to do and then log back out and into your
>> regular account. If you can't see the Administrator account on the
>> Welcome
>> Screen, since you have XP Pro:
>>
>> At the Welcome Screen do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get the classic logon box.
>> Enter "Administrator" (without the quotes of course) for the username and
>> whatever password you assigned. If you didn't assign a password, leave
>> that
>> field blank and hit Enter.
>>
>> Malke
>> --
>> MS-MVP
>> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
>> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
>>
>>
|
|
"Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A03E139B-D3F3-4D18-8EBC-467509258C20[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > Oh wait!
>
> I am getting mixed up.
>
> Here is what I was thinking: I installed programs under Admin. Then, I
> created a User account and could not 'see' the same programs in the 'same'
> order on the 'desktop' so I 'assumed' that I had to 'copy' the programs to
> the 'User' account but like you said, programs are available to 'every'
> user
> account so I should have just created 'icons' on the desktop for the
> 'User'
> account.
>
> The fact that programs are available on 'every' account (example:
> Administrator and 5 User accounts) does not mean that the program is
> taking
> up 'extra space' in each account.
Correct. If you install it five times from five different accounts to the
same place, for example:
c:\progam files\Microsoft Office
You wind up with *one* installed copy.
If you need an application on all accounts, install it once, then move the
shortcut to the All Users folders. This will make it available for
everyone, and use the smallest amout of drive space (though the five copies
use an insignificant amount anyway).
HTH
-pk
>
> "Summer1" wrote:
>
>> o, the fact that I have th same programs in both Admin 'and' User
>> accounts
>> does not mean that the programs are using ip'double the amount of space?'
>>
>> When installing programs, should I do it in Admin or User settings? Since
>> I
>> use 'User' primarily, if I installed under 'Admin,' it would mean having
>> to
>> 'copy' that program to 'User' every time I installed something.
>>
>> "Don Phillipson" wrote:
>>
>> > "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> > news:E11A49DB-5FC4-4F10-B901-D1BD66A2A795[ at ]microsoft.com...
>> >
>> > > How do I delete programs on the Administrator' account and go back to
>> > > the
>> > > 'original' Windows XP settings before I customized them or should
>> > > programs
>> > > be installed/settings be customized in Administrator mode?
>> >
>> > 1. Programs (software) are not peculiar to certain accounts.
>> > They are installed under WinXP and available to everyone.
>> > 2. Default settings permit only Administrator accounts to
>> > instal or uninstal software. (You may have more than one
>> > Admin. account if you like.)
>> > 3. Because you transferred your everyday desktop and settings
>> > from Admin to User, you may find it useful to create a new
>> > Admin account, and customize it differently (done via / Control
>> > Panell / Users.) It would be wise to keep the old Admin account
>> > for some weeks, until you are sure it is genuinely not needed
>> > because the new one does what you want (and the everyday
>> > User account does what you want.)
>> > --
>> > Don Phillipson
>> > Carlsbad Springs
>> > (Ottawa, Canada)
>> >
>> >
>> >
|
|
Based on my current setup, step by step, what is the 'easiest' way to create
one set of shortcuts?
Is it a long process?
In the future, when I get a new computer, should I be signed in as Admin or
User, which account should I install programs to, and which account should I
create shortcuts to?
"Jim" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > > "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:56E6EEF3-A87B-48D0-80BA-3EBA21E26824[ at ]microsoft.com... > > Sorry Everyone for not being clear. > > > > Here is what I want to know: > > > > I installed programs and customized settings under the 'Administrator > > account.' > > > > Since I am the 'only' user and I know that I should be in 'User' mode for > > daily use, I created a 'User' account. Is the 'User' account a 'duplicate' > > copy of the 'Admin' account in terms of programs installed and settings > > customized? OR: Should I have created a 'User' account first and installed > > and customized everything without going into the 'Administrator > > account-This > > way both accounts would not be duplicates of each other?' > > > > After I created the 'User' account, I went to the Microsoft 'Help Article' > > at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151 and > > followed the instructions for 'Copy Files to the New User Profile.' > > > > Does the fact that I have 'two' accounts' with the same info mean that > > 'extra space' is being taken up? Can I 'leave' the two accounts as they > > are? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The way you did it requires a certain amount more space than the one I > described. Shortcuts don't take up much space though. > The other files that you copied take up twice as much space though. There > is one set of files in the administrator folder tree and another set of > files in the user folder tree. > > To answer your questions: There is only one set of programs that are > installed. There are two sets of shortcuts. There are two sets of whatever > files may be needed for customization. > If you did as I described, there would only be one set of shortcuts (which > all accounts can see), > > If you create the 'user' account before loading all of the programs, there > only needs to be one set of customizations. > > The way that you did this will result in a divergence between the two > accounts regardless of how careful you are. What you have really done is to > add unnecessary complications. > > Jim > > > |
|
To clarify:
Under My Documents/User:
It shows the following folders: Contacts (empty), Desktop(8 shortcuts),
Favorites(lots), My Documents (My Music, My Pics, My Received Files, My
Videos, and My Sharing Files) are all empty, and Start Menu-Programs
(Accessories, Admin Tools, HP, Startup, and 3 shortcuts).
Under My Documents/Admin:
Folders: Contacts (empty), Desktop (8 faves), favorites (lots), Start Menu
(same as for 'User'), and XP Documents (empty).
"Summer1" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > Based on my current setup, step by step, what is the 'easiest' way to create > one set of shortcuts? > > Is it a long process? > > In the future, when I get a new computer, should I be signed in as Admin or > User, which account should I install programs to, and which account should I > create shortcuts to? > > "Jim" wrote: > > > > > "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > > news:56E6EEF3-A87B-48D0-80BA-3EBA21E26824[ at ]microsoft.com... > > > Sorry Everyone for not being clear. > > > > > > Here is what I want to know: > > > > > > I installed programs and customized settings under the 'Administrator > > > account.' > > > > > > Since I am the 'only' user and I know that I should be in 'User' mode for > > > daily use, I created a 'User' account. Is the 'User' account a 'duplicate' > > > copy of the 'Admin' account in terms of programs installed and settings > > > customized? OR: Should I have created a 'User' account first and installed > > > and customized everything without going into the 'Administrator > > > account-This > > > way both accounts would not be duplicates of each other?' > > > > > > After I created the 'User' account, I went to the Microsoft 'Help Article' > > > at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151 and > > > followed the instructions for 'Copy Files to the New User Profile.' > > > > > > Does the fact that I have 'two' accounts' with the same info mean that > > > 'extra space' is being taken up? Can I 'leave' the two accounts as they > > > are? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The way you did it requires a certain amount more space than the one I > > described. Shortcuts don't take up much space though. > > The other files that you copied take up twice as much space though. There > > is one set of files in the administrator folder tree and another set of > > files in the user folder tree. > > > > To answer your questions: There is only one set of programs that are > > installed. There are two sets of shortcuts. There are two sets of whatever > > files may be needed for customization. > > If you did as I described, there would only be one set of shortcuts (which > > all accounts can see), > > > > If you create the 'user' account before loading all of the programs, there > > only needs to be one set of customizations. > > > > The way that you did this will result in a divergence between the two > > accounts regardless of how careful you are. What you have really done is to > > add unnecessary complications. > > > > Jim > > > > > > |
|
Replies inline---
"Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:746EEC7A-3285-4B37-8258-7857299E6EBD[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > Based on my current setup, step by step, what is the 'easiest' way to
> create
> one set of shortcuts?
Move all of the shortcuts to the Desktop folder in the "All Users" folder
tree. If there are shortcuts which require administrator permissions, the
don't move them.
>
> Is it a long process?
No
>
> In the future, when I get a new computer, should I be signed in as Admin
> or
> User, which account should I install programs to, and which account should
> I
> create shortcuts to?
Install all programs with an account which is a member of the administrators
group.
When complete, move the shortcuts to the Desktop folder in the "All Users"
folder tree if the installation procedure did not do this.
Jim
>
> "Jim" wrote:
>
>>
>> "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:56E6EEF3-A87B-48D0-80BA-3EBA21E26824[ at ]microsoft.com...
>> > Sorry Everyone for not being clear.
>> >
>> > Here is what I want to know:
>> >
>> > I installed programs and customized settings under the 'Administrator
>> > account.'
>> >
>> > Since I am the 'only' user and I know that I should be in 'User' mode
>> > for
>> > daily use, I created a 'User' account. Is the 'User' account a
>> > 'duplicate'
>> > copy of the 'Admin' account in terms of programs installed and settings
>> > customized? OR: Should I have created a 'User' account first and
>> > installed
>> > and customized everything without going into the 'Administrator
>> > account-This
>> > way both accounts would not be duplicates of each other?'
>> >
>> > After I created the 'User' account, I went to the Microsoft 'Help
>> > Article'
>> > at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151 and
>> > followed the instructions for 'Copy Files to the New User Profile.'
>> >
>> > Does the fact that I have 'two' accounts' with the same info mean that
>> > 'extra space' is being taken up? Can I 'leave' the two accounts as they
>> > are?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> The way you did it requires a certain amount more space than the one I
>> described. Shortcuts don't take up much space though.
>> The other files that you copied take up twice as much space though.
>> There
>> is one set of files in the administrator folder tree and another set of
>> files in the user folder tree.
>>
>> To answer your questions: There is only one set of programs that are
>> installed. There are two sets of shortcuts. There are two sets of
>> whatever
>> files may be needed for customization.
>> If you did as I described, there would only be one set of shortcuts
>> (which
>> all accounts can see),
>>
>> If you create the 'user' account before loading all of the programs,
>> there
>> only needs to be one set of customizations.
>>
>> The way that you did this will result in a divergence between the two
>> accounts regardless of how careful you are. What you have really done is
>> to
>> add unnecessary complications.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>>
|
|
Hi,
Learning something new, especially on a computer, is often a seemingly
complex though actually simple set of concepts which, once the
structure and semantics are worked out, turn into knowledge that will be
useful for a long, long time.
IMO Summer1 has done a great job of clear, concise postings,
otherwise actually known as clarification/verification, and Jim has
shown an outstanding incidence of responding in kind, and avoiding the
"confusion by facts" that a lot of people get bogged down in. This is
the meeting of two thinking minds and refreshing to see these days.
KUDOS to both of you, especially Jim for his willingness to answer
the questions without judgement or muddy water. Thanks to Summer1, the
answers to the questions he asked are going to be useful to many, many
people for some time to come via Google and other such repositories.
Best Regards,
Twayne
[Quoted Text] > Hiya :) > > I definitely have XP Pro. > > I do not want to 'delete' data. > > I want to make sure that I am being clear: I installed programs and > customized settings under Admin. Since I should not be signed in as > Admin on a regular basis, I created a 'User profile but then realized > that I had to 'copy' my progrtams from Admin. Now I have 'two' > accounts with the 'exact' same info-Isn't that taking up space? > > "Malke" wrote: > >> Summer1 wrote: >> >>> I should have added that I am using Windows XP Pro with Service >>> Pack 3 and IE 7. >>> >>> "Summer1" wrote: >>> >>>> I am the only one using this computer and it has two accounts: >>>> Admninistrator and User. >>>> >>>> When I bought this pre-owned computer, it was signed in as an >>>> 'Administrator' (which I did not know at the time). >>>> >>>> I installed programs and customized settings under this account. >>>> When I realized that it should all be under the 'User Account,' I >>>> copied everything but now have 'duplicate' files on both accounts, >>>> taking up unnecessary space. >>>> >>>> How do I delete programs on the Administrator' account and go back >>>> to the 'original' Windows XP settings before I customized them or >>>> should programs be installed/settings be customized in >>>> Administrator mode? >>>> >> >> You do not delete programs under user accounts. Programs are global. >> You can delete *data* from the Administrator's My Documents if you >> have duplicated it in your own user account's My Documents. You can >> also run CCleaner in the Administrator account to get rid of >> temporary files. Caveat: do not use the registry tools or any of the >> other tools in CCleaner or there is a good possibility you will >> break your system. Just use it to get rid of temporary and Temporary >> Internet Files. There is no need to play about with any settings in >> that account since no one will be using it and any settings such as >> browser favorites take up basically no room. >> >> To access the Administrator account simply log into it from the >> Welcome Screen. Do whatever you need to do and then log back out and >> into your regular account. If you can't see the Administrator >> account on the Welcome Screen, since you have XP Pro: >> >> At the Welcome Screen do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get the classic logon >> box. Enter "Administrator" (without the quotes of course) for the >> username and whatever password you assigned. If you didn't assign a >> password, leave that field blank and hit Enter. >> >> Malke >> -- >> MS-MVP >> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! >> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
|
|
Move shortcuts from from where to the desktop folder in the 'All Users' folder?
No shortcuts require Admin access.
After I move the shortcuts, ddo I have to 'delete' anything fr4om either
Admin or User?
"Jim" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > Replies inline--- > "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:746EEC7A-3285-4B37-8258-7857299E6EBD[ at ]microsoft.com... > > Based on my current setup, step by step, what is the 'easiest' way to > > create > > one set of shortcuts? > Move all of the shortcuts to the Desktop folder in the "All Users" folder > tree. If there are shortcuts which require administrator permissions, the > don't move them. > > > > Is it a long process? > No > > > > In the future, when I get a new computer, should I be signed in as Admin > > or > > User, which account should I install programs to, and which account should > > I > > create shortcuts to? > Install all programs with an account which is a member of the administrators > group. > When complete, move the shortcuts to the Desktop folder in the "All Users" > folder tree if the installation procedure did not do this. > Jim > > > > "Jim" wrote: > > > >> > >> "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:56E6EEF3-A87B-48D0-80BA-3EBA21E26824[ at ]microsoft.com... > >> > Sorry Everyone for not being clear. > >> > > >> > Here is what I want to know: > >> > > >> > I installed programs and customized settings under the 'Administrator > >> > account.' > >> > > >> > Since I am the 'only' user and I know that I should be in 'User' mode > >> > for > >> > daily use, I created a 'User' account. Is the 'User' account a > >> > 'duplicate' > >> > copy of the 'Admin' account in terms of programs installed and settings > >> > customized? OR: Should I have created a 'User' account first and > >> > installed > >> > and customized everything without going into the 'Administrator > >> > account-This > >> > way both accounts would not be duplicates of each other?' > >> > > >> > After I created the 'User' account, I went to the Microsoft 'Help > >> > Article' > >> > at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151 and > >> > followed the instructions for 'Copy Files to the New User Profile.' > >> > > >> > Does the fact that I have 'two' accounts' with the same info mean that > >> > 'extra space' is being taken up? Can I 'leave' the two accounts as they > >> > are? > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> The way you did it requires a certain amount more space than the one I > >> described. Shortcuts don't take up much space though. > >> The other files that you copied take up twice as much space though. > >> There > >> is one set of files in the administrator folder tree and another set of > >> files in the user folder tree. > >> > >> To answer your questions: There is only one set of programs that are > >> installed. There are two sets of shortcuts. There are two sets of > >> whatever > >> files may be needed for customization. > >> If you did as I described, there would only be one set of shortcuts > >> (which > >> all accounts can see), > >> > >> If you create the 'user' account before loading all of the programs, > >> there > >> only needs to be one set of customizations. > >> > >> The way that you did this will result in a divergence between the two > >> accounts regardless of how careful you are. What you have really done is > >> to > >> add unnecessary complications. > >> > >> Jim > >> > >> > >> > > > |
|
Just to be clear here:
There are no files in 'User Documents' or 'XP documents.' The only
'shortcuts' are the 'Program Files.'
Remember I said that I installed all of my 'programs' under the Admin
account and then 'copied' them to the User account using that link that I
gave to you.
When I signed in 'User,' after installing under 'Admin,' I did not see the
'desktop' icons (I did not realize that I had to create desktop shortcuts)
even though the program files were 'already' there.
In other words, I did not need to 'copy' anything-I just had to create
shortcuts on my desktop so that the 'layout' would be the same as my Admin
account settings.
"Jim" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > Replies inline--- > "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:746EEC7A-3285-4B37-8258-7857299E6EBD[ at ]microsoft.com... > > Based on my current setup, step by step, what is the 'easiest' way to > > create > > one set of shortcuts? > Move all of the shortcuts to the Desktop folder in the "All Users" folder > tree. If there are shortcuts which require administrator permissions, the > don't move them. > > > > Is it a long process? > No > > > > In the future, when I get a new computer, should I be signed in as Admin > > or > > User, which account should I install programs to, and which account should > > I > > create shortcuts to? > Install all programs with an account which is a member of the administrators > group. > When complete, move the shortcuts to the Desktop folder in the "All Users" > folder tree if the installation procedure did not do this. > Jim > > > > "Jim" wrote: > > > >> > >> "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:56E6EEF3-A87B-48D0-80BA-3EBA21E26824[ at ]microsoft.com... > >> > Sorry Everyone for not being clear. > >> > > >> > Here is what I want to know: > >> > > >> > I installed programs and customized settings under the 'Administrator > >> > account.' > >> > > >> > Since I am the 'only' user and I know that I should be in 'User' mode > >> > for > >> > daily use, I created a 'User' account. Is the 'User' account a > >> > 'duplicate' > >> > copy of the 'Admin' account in terms of programs installed and settings > >> > customized? OR: Should I have created a 'User' account first and > >> > installed > >> > and customized everything without going into the 'Administrator > >> > account-This > >> > way both accounts would not be duplicates of each other?' > >> > > >> > After I created the 'User' account, I went to the Microsoft 'Help > >> > Article' > >> > at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151 and > >> > followed the instructions for 'Copy Files to the New User Profile.' > >> > > >> > Does the fact that I have 'two' accounts' with the same info mean that > >> > 'extra space' is being taken up? Can I 'leave' the two accounts as they > >> > are? > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> The way you did it requires a certain amount more space than the one I > >> described. Shortcuts don't take up much space though. > >> The other files that you copied take up twice as much space though. > >> There > >> is one set of files in the administrator folder tree and another set of > >> files in the user folder tree. > >> > >> To answer your questions: There is only one set of programs that are > >> installed. There are two sets of shortcuts. There are two sets of > >> whatever > >> files may be needed for customization. > >> If you did as I described, there would only be one set of shortcuts > >> (which > >> all accounts can see), > >> > >> If you create the 'user' account before loading all of the programs, > >> there > >> only needs to be one set of customizations. > >> > >> The way that you did this will result in a divergence between the two > >> accounts regardless of how careful you are. What you have really done is > >> to > >> add unnecessary complications. > >> > >> Jim > >> > >> > >> > > > |
|
When I said that I had 'copied' everything from Admin to User, I was
referring to programs and icons.
I have the same 13 program shortcut icons on my desktop (On the screen not
the tray) in my 'Admin' and 'User' accounts. I did not realize that I had to
'create' shortcut icons on the desktop in my 'User' account. The 'programs'
were already there so I did not have to 'copy' anything.
However, only 8 (the same 8 in both accounts) of those 13 program shortcut
icons appear under C:\Docs and Settings\User\Desktop and C:\Docs and
Settings\Admin\Desktop while 'All Users' only shows 5. I am the only user on
this computer so I do not need 'All Users.'
What is the best course of action or is the 'layout' of both accounts the
way they should be?
"Jim" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > Replies inline--- > "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:746EEC7A-3285-4B37-8258-7857299E6EBD[ at ]microsoft.com... > > Based on my current setup, step by step, what is the 'easiest' way to > > create > > one set of shortcuts? > Move all of the shortcuts to the Desktop folder in the "All Users" folder > tree. If there are shortcuts which require administrator permissions, the > don't move them. > > > > Is it a long process? > No > > > > In the future, when I get a new computer, should I be signed in as Admin > > or > > User, which account should I install programs to, and which account should > > I > > create shortcuts to? > Install all programs with an account which is a member of the administrators > group. > When complete, move the shortcuts to the Desktop folder in the "All Users" > folder tree if the installation procedure did not do this. > Jim > > > > "Jim" wrote: > > > >> > >> "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:56E6EEF3-A87B-48D0-80BA-3EBA21E26824[ at ]microsoft.com... > >> > Sorry Everyone for not being clear. > >> > > >> > Here is what I want to know: > >> > > >> > I installed programs and customized settings under the 'Administrator > >> > account.' > >> > > >> > Since I am the 'only' user and I know that I should be in 'User' mode > >> > for > >> > daily use, I created a 'User' account. Is the 'User' account a > >> > 'duplicate' > >> > copy of the 'Admin' account in terms of programs installed and settings > >> > customized? OR: Should I have created a 'User' account first and > >> > installed > >> > and customized everything without going into the 'Administrator > >> > account-This > >> > way both accounts would not be duplicates of each other?' > >> > > >> > After I created the 'User' account, I went to the Microsoft 'Help > >> > Article' > >> > at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151 and > >> > followed the instructions for 'Copy Files to the New User Profile.' > >> > > >> > Does the fact that I have 'two' accounts' with the same info mean that > >> > 'extra space' is being taken up? Can I 'leave' the two accounts as they > >> > are? > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> The way you did it requires a certain amount more space than the one I > >> described. Shortcuts don't take up much space though. > >> The other files that you copied take up twice as much space though. > >> There > >> is one set of files in the administrator folder tree and another set of > >> files in the user folder tree. > >> > >> To answer your questions: There is only one set of programs that are > >> installed. There are two sets of shortcuts. There are two sets of > >> whatever > >> files may be needed for customization. > >> If you did as I described, there would only be one set of shortcuts > >> (which > >> all accounts can see), > >> > >> If you create the 'user' account before loading all of the programs, > >> there > >> only needs to be one set of customizations. > >> > >> The way that you did this will result in a divergence between the two > >> accounts regardless of how careful you are. What you have really done is > >> to > >> add unnecessary complications. > >> > >> Jim > >> > >> > >> > > > |
|
Thanks for the assistance everyone, especially Jim :)
I decided to get a Windows XP book and brush up on the basics :)
One final question on this topic though: For 'daily use,' should I be signed
in as a User' with or without admin priviledges?
"Jim" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > Replies inline--- > "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:746EEC7A-3285-4B37-8258-7857299E6EBD[ at ]microsoft.com... > > Based on my current setup, step by step, what is the 'easiest' way to > > create > > one set of shortcuts? > Move all of the shortcuts to the Desktop folder in the "All Users" folder > tree. If there are shortcuts which require administrator permissions, the > don't move them. > > > > Is it a long process? > No > > > > In the future, when I get a new computer, should I be signed in as Admin > > or > > User, which account should I install programs to, and which account should > > I > > create shortcuts to? > Install all programs with an account which is a member of the administrators > group. > When complete, move the shortcuts to the Desktop folder in the "All Users" > folder tree if the installation procedure did not do this. > Jim > > > > "Jim" wrote: > > > >> > >> "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:56E6EEF3-A87B-48D0-80BA-3EBA21E26824[ at ]microsoft.com... > >> > Sorry Everyone for not being clear. > >> > > >> > Here is what I want to know: > >> > > >> > I installed programs and customized settings under the 'Administrator > >> > account.' > >> > > >> > Since I am the 'only' user and I know that I should be in 'User' mode > >> > for > >> > daily use, I created a 'User' account. Is the 'User' account a > >> > 'duplicate' > >> > copy of the 'Admin' account in terms of programs installed and settings > >> > customized? OR: Should I have created a 'User' account first and > >> > installed > >> > and customized everything without going into the 'Administrator > >> > account-This > >> > way both accounts would not be duplicates of each other?' > >> > > >> > After I created the 'User' account, I went to the Microsoft 'Help > >> > Article' > >> > at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151 and > >> > followed the instructions for 'Copy Files to the New User Profile.' > >> > > >> > Does the fact that I have 'two' accounts' with the same info mean that > >> > 'extra space' is being taken up? Can I 'leave' the two accounts as they > >> > are? > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> The way you did it requires a certain amount more space than the one I > >> described. Shortcuts don't take up much space though. > >> The other files that you copied take up twice as much space though. > >> There > >> is one set of files in the administrator folder tree and another set of > >> files in the user folder tree. > >> > >> To answer your questions: There is only one set of programs that are > >> installed. There are two sets of shortcuts. There are two sets of > >> whatever > >> files may be needed for customization. > >> If you did as I described, there would only be one set of shortcuts > >> (which > >> all accounts can see), > >> > >> If you create the 'user' account before loading all of the programs, > >> there > >> only needs to be one set of customizations. > >> > >> The way that you did this will result in a divergence between the two > >> accounts regardless of how careful you are. What you have really done is > >> to > >> add unnecessary complications. > >> > >> Jim > >> > >> > >> > > > |
|
I am signed in as a 'Limited User.'
What happens if I am on a webpage and a program has an update? Do I have to
sign out of User and into 'Administrator' and then go back to that webpage?
"Jan Kuipers" wrote:
[Quoted Text]
|
|
As a 'Limited User,' the only options available are 'Change password,'
'Remove password,' 'Change picture,' and 'Set up .Net Passport.'
Where is the option to 'Change account type?'
"Summer1" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > I am signed in as a 'Limited User.' > > What happens if I am on a webpage and a program has an update? Do I have to > sign out of User and into 'Administrator' and then go back to that webpage? > > "Jan Kuipers" wrote: > > > "Summer1" wrote: > > > > > One final question on this topic though: For 'daily use,' should I be signed > > > in as a User' with or without admin priviledges? > > > > There is an article about this on: > > http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/useraccount.mspx> > -- > > Jan Kuipers > > > > > > > > |
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"Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:33D2F3EA-28F8-4233-B9DA-417B69892B4D[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] >
> As a 'Limited User,' the only options available are 'Change password,'
> 'Remove password,' 'Change picture,' and 'Set up .Net Passport.'
>
> Where is the option to 'Change account type?'
That option is not available to a Limited account.
That's the kind of thing you want to prevent a Limited user from doing.
You restrict their rights because you don't trust them to be mucking with
the system.
So you change account types from any Administrator-level account.
Note that an Administrator - level account is NOT the same as the actual
Administrator account - the account that's named "administrator".
While it's definitely not a good idea to use the real Administrator account
for daily use, as long as you know what you're doing there's no real
problem with giving your daily user account Administrator permissions.
HTH
-pk
>
> "Summer1" wrote:
>
>> I am signed in as a 'Limited User.'
>>
>> What happens if I am on a webpage and a program has an update? Do I have
>> to
>> sign out of User and into 'Administrator' and then go back to that
>> webpage?
>>
>> "Jan Kuipers" wrote:
>>
>> > "Summer1" wrote:
>> >
>> > > One final question on this topic though: For 'daily use,' should I be
>> > > signed
>> > > in as a User' with or without admin priviledges?
>> >
>> > There is an article about this on:
>> > http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/useraccount.mspx
>> > --
>> > Jan Kuipers
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
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I am signed in as a 'Limited User.'
For daily use, should I be signed in as a 'Limited User,' 'User with admin
priviledges,' or 'Admin?'
What happens if I am on a webpage and a program has an update (such as
Windows Automatic Update) ? Do I have to
sign out of 'User' and into 'Administrator' and then go back to that webpage
or can I accept the install through the User' with admin priviledges?
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"Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BE779FB4-4438-4808-B7D5-E7C03BDDA922[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > I am signed in as a 'Limited User.'
Why?
> For daily use, should I be signed in as a 'Limited User,' 'User with admin
> priviledges,' or 'Admin?'
Use the actual "Administrator" account only when you absolutely have to.
Unless you're regularly going to risky sites, it's inconvenient to use
Limited permissions. I would normally give such accounts to client's
children, when they need to be prevented from making random system changes.
I use administrator-level accounts normally, because I regularly have to do
things that require those permissions. Some programs, fewer these days,
won't run properly or at all under Limited accounts. You will find out
when you try to run them.
I do not normally use the built-in Administrator account (that's the one
with the log-in name "Administrator") for anything other than initial user
account creation or emergency maintenance. You want to protect that
account as much as possible, and the first way to do that is to not use it
unless you *have* to.
> What happens if I am on a webpage and a program has an update (such as
> Windows Automatic Update) ?
If you're in an account that doesn't have the permissions to install system
components, you won't be able to install them.
> Do I have to
> sign out of 'User' and into 'Administrator' and then go back to that
> webpage
> or can I accept the install through the User' with admin priviledges?
I suggest you try it. You'll find out very quickly. A lot depends on
what the page or program requires, and that can't be predicted here.
HTH
-pk
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You have not answered my question though:
For 'daily use,' is it safe to be signed in as 'User' with Admin priviledges?
"Patrick Keenan" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:BE779FB4-4438-4808-B7D5-E7C03BDDA922[ at ]microsoft.com...
> > I am signed in as a 'Limited User.'
>
> Why?
>
> > For daily use, should I be signed in as a 'Limited User,' 'User with admin
> > priviledges,' or 'Admin?'
>
> Use the actual "Administrator" account only when you absolutely have to.
>
> Unless you're regularly going to risky sites, it's inconvenient to use
> Limited permissions. I would normally give such accounts to client's
> children, when they need to be prevented from making random system changes.
>
> I use administrator-level accounts normally, because I regularly have to do
> things that require those permissions. Some programs, fewer these days,
> won't run properly or at all under Limited accounts. You will find out
> when you try to run them.
>
> I do not normally use the built-in Administrator account (that's the one
> with the log-in name "Administrator") for anything other than initial user
> account creation or emergency maintenance. You want to protect that
> account as much as possible, and the first way to do that is to not use it
> unless you *have* to.
>
> > What happens if I am on a webpage and a program has an update (such as
> > Windows Automatic Update) ?
>
> If you're in an account that doesn't have the permissions to install system
> components, you won't be able to install them.
>
> > Do I have to
> > sign out of 'User' and into 'Administrator' and then go back to that
> > webpage
> > or can I accept the install through the User' with admin priviledges?
>
> I suggest you try it. You'll find out very quickly. A lot depends on
> what the page or program requires, and that can't be predicted here.
>
> HTH
> -pk
>
>
>
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"Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A8675115-D2F5-48C4-9154-5CFB20980870[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > You have not answered my question though:
>
> For 'daily use,' is it safe to be signed in as 'User' with Admin
> priviledges?
>
> "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>
>> "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:BE779FB4-4438-4808-B7D5-E7C03BDDA922[ at ]microsoft.com...
>> > I am signed in as a 'Limited User.'
>>
>> Why?
>>
>> > For daily use, should I be signed in as a 'Limited User,' 'User with
>> > admin
>> > priviledges,' or 'Admin?'
>>
>> Use the actual "Administrator" account only when you absolutely have to.
>>
>> Unless you're regularly going to risky sites, it's inconvenient to use
>> Limited permissions. I would normally give such accounts to client's
>> children, when they need to be prevented from making random system
>> changes.
>>
>> I use administrator-level accounts normally, because I regularly have to
>> do
>> things that require those permissions. Some programs, fewer these days,
>> won't run properly or at all under Limited accounts. You will find out
>> when you try to run them.
>>
>> I do not normally use the built-in Administrator account (that's the one
>> with the log-in name "Administrator") for anything other than initial
>> user
>> account creation or emergency maintenance. You want to protect that
>> account as much as possible, and the first way to do that is to not use
>> it
>> unless you *have* to.
>>
>> > What happens if I am on a webpage and a program has an update (such as
>> > Windows Automatic Update) ?
>>
>> If you're in an account that doesn't have the permissions to install
>> system
>> components, you won't be able to install them.
>>
>> > Do I have to
>> > sign out of 'User' and into 'Administrator' and then go back to that
>> > webpage
>> > or can I accept the install through the User' with admin priviledges?
>>
>> I suggest you try it. You'll find out very quickly. A lot depends on
>> what the page or program requires, and that can't be predicted here.
>>
>> HTH
>> -pk
>>
>>
>>
It's been fairly comprehensively discussed; time for you to make a decision.
Based on what you've written so far, it sounds to me like the answer for you
is "it's probably not necessary".
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[Quoted Text] > You have not answered my question though:
>
> For 'daily use,' is it safe to be signed in as 'User' with Admin
> priviledges?
In a general sense, no. From a best practices view, no. By running as
a limited user, viruses, trojans, worms, general malware will often be
restricted to infecting that user's account only. Since a "user"
doesn't have permissions to make changes outside his own area of
privileges, neither can malware. So the rest of the machine gains some
protection that way. Other users may not notice the intrusions and not
be affected.
By running as an admin, any malware then has the admin's permissions
to modify/change/add to/delete anything that admin has
rights/permissions for.
That's pretty much it in a nutshell, for a single-user machine.
A User may also have special permissions given to him. There are
"levels", such as Power User, most of an Admin's permissions but not
all, a backup admin, just like it sounds, can do backups others cannot,
and so on.
In other words yuo could if you want to assign SOME of the admin's
permissions to a User Account, but not all of them. It's better than a
full Admin account, but still each added permission opens another
possible area of damage.
IME it seems that more people run as Admins than do User accounts, for
whatever reason, usually the hassle of having to switch accounts to do
things. But don't forget, you usually can us the "Run As" and simply
choose your Admin account for that short period of time, then close that
user once you're done, and go back to work.
So it's best to run as a user. But not the most covenient. It's safer
to run as a user but more inconvenient. Perhaps setting yourself up as
a Power User might work for you instead of an Admin for day to day use.
See Help & Support for Power User for more info. Here's an
excerpt:
Power Users
Members of the Power Users group can create user accounts, but can
modify and delete only those accounts they create. They can create local
groups and remove users from local groups they have created. They can
also remove users from the Power Users, Users, and Guests groups.
They cannot modify the Administrators or Backup Operators groups, nor
can they take ownership of files, back up or restore directories, load
or unload device drivers, or manage the security and auditing logs.
HTH
Twayne
>
> "Patrick Keenan" wrote:
>
>> "Summer1" <Summer1[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:BE779FB4-4438-4808-B7D5-E7C03BDDA922[ at ]microsoft.com...
>>> I am signed in as a 'Limited User.'
>>
>> Why?
>>
>>> For daily use, should I be signed in as a 'Limited User,' 'User
>>> with admin priviledges,' or 'Admin?'
>>
>> Use the actual "Administrator" account only when you absolutely have
>> to.
>>
>> Unless you're regularly going to risky sites, it's inconvenient to
>> use Limited permissions. I would normally give such accounts to
>> client's children, when they need to be prevented from making random
>> system changes.
>>
>> I use administrator-level accounts normally, because I regularly
>> have to do things that require those permissions. Some programs,
>> fewer these days, won't run properly or at all under Limited
>> accounts. You will find out when you try to run them.
>>
>> I do not normally use the built-in Administrator account (that's the
>> one with the log-in name "Administrator") for anything other than
>> initial user account creation or emergency maintenance. You want
>> to protect that account as much as possible, and the first way to do
>> that is to not use it unless you *have* to.
>>
>>> What happens if I am on a webpage and a program has an update (such
>>> as Windows Automatic Update) ?
>>
>> If you're in an account that doesn't have the permissions to install
>> system components, you won't be able to install them.
>>
>>> Do I have to
>>> sign out of 'User' and into 'Administrator' and then go back to that
>>> webpage
>>> or can I accept the install through the User' with admin
>>> priviledges?
>>
>> I suggest you try it. You'll find out very quickly. A lot
>> depends on what the page or program requires, and that can't be
>> predicted here.
>>
>> HTH
>> -pk
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"Twayne" <nobody[ at ]devnull.spamcop.net> wrote in message
news:%23LPavUpQJHA.4776[ at ]TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
[Quoted Text] > Hi,
>
> Learning something new, especially on a computer, is often a seemingly
> complex though actually simple set of concepts which, once the structure
> and semantics are worked out, turn into knowledge that will be useful for
> a long, long time.
> IMO Summer1 has done a great job of clear, concise postings, otherwise
> actually known as clarification/verification, and Jim has shown an
> outstanding incidence of responding in kind, and avoiding the "confusion
> by facts" that a lot of people get bogged down in. This is the meeting of
> two thinking minds and refreshing to see these days.
> KUDOS to both of you, especially Jim for his willingness to answer the
> questions without judgement or muddy water. Thanks to Summer1, the
> answers to the questions he asked are going to be useful to many, many
> people for some time to come via Google and other such repositories.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Twayne
It is a darn good thing you approve!!! Otherwise it would be worthless
information :-) You are the god of approval, right?
>
>
>> Hiya :)
>>
>> I definitely have XP Pro.
>>
>> I do not want to 'delete' data.
>>
>> I want to make sure that I am being clear: I installed programs and
>> customized settings under Admin. Since I should not be signed in as
>> Admin on a regular basis, I created a 'User profile but then realized
>> that I had to 'copy' my progrtams from Admin. Now I have 'two'
>> accounts with the 'exact' same info-Isn't that taking up space?
>>
>> "Malke" wrote:
>>
>>> Summer1 wrote:
>>>
>>>> I should have added that I am using Windows XP Pro with Service
>>>> Pack 3 and IE 7.
>>>>
>>>> "Summer1" wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I am the only one using this computer and it has two accounts:
>>>>> Admninistrator and User.
>>>>>
>>>>> When I bought this pre-owned computer, it was signed in as an
>>>>> 'Administrator' (which I did not know at the time).
>>>>>
>>>>> I installed programs and customized settings under this account.
>>>>> When I realized that it should all be under the 'User Account,' I
>>>>> copied everything but now have 'duplicate' files on both accounts,
>>>>> taking up unnecessary space.
>>>>>
>>>>> How do I delete programs on the Administrator' account and go back
>>>>> to the 'original' Windows XP settings before I customized them or
>>>>> should programs be installed/settings be customized in
>>>>> Administrator mode?
>>>>>
>>>
>>> You do not delete programs under user accounts. Programs are global.
>>> You can delete *data* from the Administrator's My Documents if you
>>> have duplicated it in your own user account's My Documents. You can
>>> also run CCleaner in the Administrator account to get rid of
>>> temporary files. Caveat: do not use the registry tools or any of the
>>> other tools in CCleaner or there is a good possibility you will
>>> break your system. Just use it to get rid of temporary and Temporary
>>> Internet Files. There is no need to play about with any settings in
>>> that account since no one will be using it and any settings such as
>>> browser favorites take up basically no room.
>>>
>>> To access the Administrator account simply log into it from the
>>> Welcome Screen. Do whatever you need to do and then log back out and
>>> into your regular account. If you can't see the Administrator
>>> account on the Welcome Screen, since you have XP Pro:
>>>
>>> At the Welcome Screen do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get the classic logon
>>> box. Enter "Administrator" (without the quotes of course) for the
>>> username and whatever password you assigned. If you didn't assign a
>>> password, leave that field blank and hit Enter.
>>>
>>> Malke
>>> --
>>> MS-MVP
>>> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
>>> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
>
>
>
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