need to understand user accounts

I am new to win7. The tutorials are a step beyond what I want to understand.

My system logs me in automatically, and it says I am adminstrator. However I'm locked out of many folders.

I want to understand how many/what users exist and figure out a way to have good old fashioned full admin access to things by logging in as a real admin. For normal day to day use, logging in as a user will be great (once I have things setup the way I want)

So..
The C \ Users folder confuses me bigtime. Listed there are: All Users (shortcut? but lots of folders there), Default, Default User (locked), Public, and User (locked)

When I go to the control panel \ user accounts, only one shows up, Laryl Adminstrator. (I changed the name, it was just "user") So what are all those user folders I see under C?

Example of why I'm unhappy/confused. Above the folder Computer in the tree is "Laryl" and folders under it.. cookies for example is locked out so how can I manage them if I want? I can't even see them?

I'd like a simple clean setup.. a way to run this pc without being locked out of everything, 2 users (one as mentioned and one for just using the pc like a guest)

help?

Thank you. I read several tutorials on how to show the hidden admin user, but when I typed the on command it said no user found. So, I still need to solve that problem.

Understood about not running full like in xp and I agree.. but I still want that option while I'm setting things up. I didn't install the os, my builder did (and he's not local, and so don't want to bug him on learning issues).

So.. if the admin command to turn the hidden account doesn't work.. then what?

Enable the (Hidden) Administrator Account on Windows 7 or Vista - How-To Geek

Quote: "You really shouldn’t use this account for anything other than troubleshooting. In fact, you probably shouldn’t use it at all."

SouthParade said:

Enable the (Hidden) Administrator Account on Windows 7 or Vista - How-To Geek

Quote: "You really shouldn’t use this account for anything other than troubleshooting. In fact, you probably shouldn’t use it at all."

ok.. so, if I don't use it at all, and if I *should* according to others be able to do everything from the regular login.. then as mentioned in the first place I have to learn how to use win7. I'm ok with that but haven't figured out the whole taking ownership thing so I can get to folders that are locked.

I'm afraid I'm likely to make more of a mess than if I could just leave my login as windows meant it to be (probably too late now since I've tried changing ownership.. can I default reset?) and just use the hidden account when I want to. If I change something while logged in like now, won't it do more harm than just allowing me to temporarily be full admin to see what I want to see and then going back to the user normal one? (hope that made sense)

CarlTR6 said:

If a folder is locked to you in your default admin account, you do not need access to it. It is a system folder. There is nothing you can do with that folder - except screw up your system (don't ask me how I know this:) ).

:) Well ok, the folder in question is Cookies. Is there a new way to handle them?

If you want to delete them, use the browser.

SouthParade said:

If you want to delete them, use the browser.

ok fair enough. I'm just so used to file manager and being able to look in folders to see what is where.. this w7 locking me out of things is really confusing.

Guess I will leave well enough alone and hope what I have done trying to get into some of these folders won't hurt anything. If I have a specific problem or question in the future I'll ask here. Thanks for the welcome and help.