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james cullen · 26 Dec 2010

I've only installed Win7 once so can't recall.

Is it compulsary to make a user profile or can I just have an administrator account and operate as Admin only?

Seems My current Win 7 install runs a lot smoother using just admin.

Seems a weird question, I know I could make a user profile under my name and just use the admin account, but I'd prefer not to set up a personal one and use admin only.

Thanks
James

gregrocker · 27 Dec 2010

Built-in Administrator Account - Enable or Disable

During install you'll have to set up a named account, but the first thing I do is enable hidden Admin then delete the named Account.

It's your computer and OS so you can run as Admin if you want.

This is for users who know what they're doing (and you know who you are).

james cullen · 27 Dec 2010

Cheers for the link gregrocker, I'd prefer that I take control of my OS and machine.

Thanks again

mborner · 27 Dec 2010

Windows 7 was designed from the ground up to be safest when run from a standard user account. When run continuously from an administrator account you have system-wide control over the PC. Do you know who else has system-wide control over your PC when you run in admin. mode? MAlWARE! From the admin account, malware has free reign over your system to install itself and do whatever it likes without you knowing about it. From a standard user account, this is rare, and much, much, safer. Microsoft recommends that all persons that use the PC, do so from a standard user account and that the Admin. account remained logged off. It's the only way*I* run.

gregrocker · 27 Dec 2010

If this is the case, then why does the installer assign an Administrative-level account to the owner at install, or when setting up a factory preinstall?

Or are you referring only to the hidden Adminstrator here, which is different from an Administrative-level account?

An Administrative-level account such as that set up by installer still has User Account controls unless you turn them off. This is the protection I believe you're referring to.

mborner · 27 Dec 2010

We all know that Windows requires at least one administrator account. That's why it's the default during setup.
The process of malware being able to install itself at an administrative level without detection is well documented. I don't know the technicalities of the reasons why but it's also well documented that, for malware to install itself on a standard user account is far more difficult, notifying the user immediately of the violation.