Windows update just added a User to my PC, Do I need 2 plus guest?

When you say C:\Users"Administrator" folder do you mean C:\Users\Administrator or every folder under C:\Users? I believe UsernameIssues told that C:\Users\Administrator is safe to delete, the others are required (mostly).

Best defense is always user caution. I have always used administrator accounts (since XP era, I don't remember 95 days ) and been using one with UAC disabled (many friends will advice against this) for 6 years with no issues at all due to malware. But then again I don't use torrent or visit shady sites, no piracy, etc.

I meant C:\Users\Administrator is safe to delete < Thanks, and thanks for everything..

On my desktop and a virtual machine, I don't even have the administrator folder under Users. Because I never logged in with it (have always been disabled). A user folder gets created when the account logs in the first time.

Yes, I know - I found a post online that explained it.. I did log into ''what I thought was the new account'' to check it out that morning.. I just wanted to confirm it was OK to delete it after it was created, thank you - it's already gone, and I renamed my Master Administrator and hid it again..

Have a good evening!

You too!

BobKoz,
It is great that you asked for a second opinion from GokAy. Your caution will serve you well.

I'll add that the built-in administrator account profile folder will be recreated if you ever log in to the built-in administrator account again (which is something that you should never need to do).

edit: I see that this was mentioned while I wrote my post.


GokAy,
You probably already know this:
Normally, files coming in via browsers start with the Low Integrity level (or Untrusted Integrity level for Chrome). Malware goes to great lengths to find/use an exploit that allows them to automatically (without the user's help/knowledge) elevate their privileges to the High or System Integrity level. Having the UAC off runs your browsers* at the High Integrity level. Now the malware needs no exploits to elevate its privileges.

*Chrome runs as a combo of High and Untrusted with UAC turned off. However, some Chrome past exploits have taken it to the System Integrity level.

Surfing to websites like Yahoo.com got lots of users infected with the Crypto type of ransomeware. The malware came in thru infected Flash adverts. The malware needed a flawed version of Flash installed on the users computer and an exploit to escape the Low Integrity level. By having the UAC turned off, the infection could hit your computer if you allow Flash to work on Yahoo.com. Flash will still have flaws even when it is up to date.

There are 3rd party add-ons that can help prevent the escalation of privileges - but these tools are normally used by people that want to improve on what Windows already does via UAC. I tend to swing the pendulum the other way. I turn the UAC all the way up. I want to be notified about as many things as I can.

That said, I find it hard to get infected while using a Virtual Machine with all of the built in security things turned off. I've been hunting for a true drive-by infection for years. I've not been lucky enough to find even one that I can study. Yes, some infections will not infect a VM so that they cannot easily be studied... but you would think that I could find one or two infections that were not VM aware.


I'm not suggesting that you turn on the UAC - but since we are not allowed to discuss how you and I protect** our computers from Yahoo.com (and sites like that) - I'll just have to state some of what happens if you have the UAC off.

**those protection methods can fail. The UAC is a good backup.

Well, that was one very well formed piece of information. Thanks for that, UNI :) I believe I am just too lazy to click OK in UAC. Nevertheless noted down and I will process it.

UsernameIssues; I only confirmed the deletion of the Administration folder with GokAy because he was more involved with helping me solve an issue. I don't like just deleting things, I know you are both very knowledgeable - I wish I was as experienced.

I decided to keep my user account as 'Administrator' but raise my UAC level to it's highest (right now it's at 3/4 which is default), and check that out for awhile.

I'm just a little reluctant in creating a new user account as standard because I just finished changing the Locations on my user Folders off my SSD to my Data disk drive (all except the profile).

Anyway, thanks again!