Unable to demote Administrator account

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  1. bru
    Posts : 417
    Win 7 Home Premium x64
       #11

    bbearren said:
    If one later wishes to run routinely as a Standard User (advisable), but without losing all the Windows settings and personal files, etc. that were being created during the OOBE and after, the easiest way to do this is to create another user account in the Administrators Group. (I always name mine Admin).

    After creating the "Admin" account, create a password for this new account. Remember this password and/or write it down. Next, logoff and logon using the "Admin" account. Go to Start > Control Panel > User Accounts. It will open in the "Admin" account. Select "Mangage another account", and then select your original account that you wish to change to a Standard User. Select the radio button beside "Standard User", and OK your way back out.

    Logoff, then logon to your old account, and it will now be a Standard User account. In the future, when using this account you will undoubtedly encounter UAC. You can enter the password for the "Admin" account, and that will satisfy UAC nicely.
    If I follow this procedure and have changed my OOBE administrator account to a Standard User are all my files and programs accesible from this SU account without having to copy anything over? Will all future files now be associated with this SU account?

    In what instances would I need to log in as the new "Admin" account? Or will it only come in to play when I am logged in as SU and I encounter UAC? If I am the only user can I not have a password for the new "Admin" account?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #12

    All your files, programs, customizations, etc. should be in the Standard Account.
    Some of your programs may now prompt you for Admin authority to run.
    Installing new programs may prompt you if you want the program installed for all users.
    I usually click "Run as administrator" when installing a new program.

    I have always used a PW with my Admin accounts, so I get prompted for that PW as needed.
    You probably don't need to use a PW, if you don't want to.

    For the most part, anything that needs Admin authority will prompt you when it tries to run.
    You can also right-click on a program and click "Run as administrator".

    Some programs can run as a Standard User or an Admin, and work a bit different depending on the user.
    Ccleaner, MBAM, HWmonitor, and Process Explorer come to mind right now.

    I rarely log in to my Admin accounts, here's what i can think of:

    - When I'm installing/uninstalling Security software.
    - If I install a new program, and something doesn't (seem) to work right.
    - Creating an Acronis backup image.
    - Editing the registry
    -- I've found some keys can not be deleted from the STD account.
    -- There can be differences in what keys are found depending on user.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 120
    7 Ultimate x64/7 Home Premium x64
       #13

    bru said:
    If I follow this procedure and have changed my OOBE administrator account to a Standard User are all my files and programs accesible from this SU account without having to copy anything over? Will all future files now be associated with this SU account?
    Yes, everything will be there, no copying needed, all future files/settings/documents will belong to the Standard User account.

    bru said:
    In what instances would I need to log in as the new "Admin" account? Or will it only come in to play when I am logged in as SU and I encounter UAC?
    For the most part, only when you encounter UAC. For system maintenance, you can use "Run as administrator" in nearly all cases.

    For registry editing that will effect all users, I would logon to the new Admin account.
    bru said:
    If I am the only user can I not have a password for the new "Admin" account?
    I always advise against running without a password for any account, but particulary any account in the Administrators Group.
      My Computer


 
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