User Accounts - How To Create
User Accounts - How To Create
Windows XP's system security is much stronger because of the use of administrators. Only a person designated as an administrator has full access to the entire system and everyone else's folders and settings. And only the administrator can create user or limited accounts for others in the family or group.
Potential issues arise with this method because it gives total system control to one person. People who hold limited accounts can't download and install software. Only an administrator is permitted to do that.
This problem is easily resolved with two administrator accounts. But that wrecks the security angle. Some businesses get around this by creating an administrator account that is only used when absolutely necessary, such as installing a software upgrade. Everybody then uses their own Limited Account for daily use.
An administrator account is opened when Windows XP is installed. To open a subsequent account
1. Go to Start and Control Panel.
2. Double-click User Accounts.
3. Click Create a New Account.
4. In the box, enter a name.
5. Follow the wizard to select the account type.
6. Click Create Account.
7. On the next window, click Create a Password.
8. Enter the password twice. You can also enter a hint to use if you forget the password.
9. Without that password, no one else can get into the desktop design, Start menu and the Favorites folder.
Most important, the My Documents folder is private. No one else can see the documents there.
Streamlined logins will keep users on track
1. Windows XP offers fast user switching, whereby users can switch back and forth without closing programs they are running. To switch to another user, click Start, Log Off, Switch User, and then click the user account name.
2. For example, suppose you are working on the Internet and your bookkeeper needs to reconcile invoices. With Fast User Switching, you can leave the browser open and let them open accounting software. When you log back on, you're browser is right where you left it.
Set time limits
3. Perhaps you only want certain employees to use a shared computer at particular times. With Windows XP, it's easy to set up.
4. First, log on to the computer using the Windows XP Administrator account.
5. Then, click Start, Run and in the Open box, type CMD.
6. Click OK and you're running a command prompt box.
7. Here's where the fun happens.
8. At the prompt, type "net user employeename/time:M-F,8am-10am" without the quotes.
9. Replace employeename with the employee's Windows XP username. Now, that particular person will only be able to log on to the computer between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
10. You can also set limits per day. For example, type "net user employeename /time:M,4pm-5pm;T-F,1pm-3pm" without the quotes.
11. By typing this at the command prompt, the employee could log on to your computer Mondays between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday 1 p.m. and 3 p.m
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