Naming accounts during install: need guidance for desired result


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #1

    Naming accounts during install: need guidance for desired result


    TL;DR - How should I set up my user accounts? Installing Windows 7 Ultimate right now. Should I use my personal username (the one that I really like) for the administrator account that is created during setup? Or should I "save" that username, and use it for a standard account (which I will create later)?

    Do I really need a standard account? Should I just use the administrator account which was created during setup, and forget about creating a standard account? Is that a security risk? How big? Is it a hassle to use a standard user account for everyday use?

    I am aware you can change account names, but the actual folder names do not change when you do, and I would prefer my folder not be called "<username>.<computername>", as it appears that this is how Windows handles account name changes. So I would rather get this right the first time.

    If I was going to use a standard account for daily use, here was my plan:

    1) Create administrator account with non-preferred name (let's call it "Moldy")
    2) Create standard account with preferred name (let's call it "Awesome"
    3) Use standard ("Awesome") account

    I'm also aware that there is a hidden *Administrator* account. Is this the only administrator account I need? I am of the understanding that the hidden *Administrator* account has special privileges beyond the typical administrator accounts. So is there a need for an account like Moldy to exist also, as some sort of intermediate level? Or is the *Administrator* account itself enough?

    One question: When you do the "run as administrator" command, does that mean "run as Moldy" or "run as *Administrator*"? (Does this change depending on whether you are logged in as a standard user, an administrator-level account, or as *Administrator*?)

    Another question: If I were to delete Moldy, and use the system as Awesome, when the system asks for an administrator password, would it be looking a password for Moldy (an account that does not exist)? Does *Administrator* need to be enabled to avoid this?

    Is leaving *Administrator* enabled a security risk? Is it better to leave it disabled, and use Moldy for that purpose?

    I made a mistake last time in setting up accounts, and ended up with access to a standard account, but I couldn't do any "run as administrator" commands, because there was nowhere to enter a password. I can't remember if *Administrator* was enabled or not. At that point I chose to reinstall, and that is where I am right now.

    If anyone can advise me on how to set up my system so there aren't extraneous accounts, that would be great. I want the system to be both functional (so I can do things like edit the registry and so forth, without getting delayed and asked to go past annoying checkpoints all the time) but secure (so that I'm not leaving doors wide open to malware et al).

    Any guidance on this would be appreciated. My computer is currently chilling at the "Choose a user name" screen, so prompt responses would be especially nice.

    Apologies for the long post; I found this a little difficult to describe, so I appreciate you reading all the way through. Thanks for your time!
    Last edited by StainedGlass; 19 Sep 2012 at 17:01. Reason: tl;dr fixes
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 983
    7 x64
       #2

    Yes use the name you like for the "Named" Administrator account (The built in "Administrator" account is turned off by default and you are not prompted for a password for it during setup).
    No you don't need a Standard User Account. Why would you?
    Standard accounts are fine for other users that you want to restrict access for them to other parts of the system.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
    Thread Starter
       #3

    edwar said:
    No you don't need a Standard User Account. Why would you?
    I read some stuff online that encourage users to use Standard User Accounts for daily use, and to only use administrator accounts for making more important changes to the system. Apparently people do this as a security measure.

    I was under the impression that you can be logged in under a Standard User Account, and put in an administrator password, as needed, for actions requiring it. However I make changes to my system practically every day so I'd probably find having to do that all the time annoying,

    I was basically trying to do a cost-benefit analysis of managing user accounts this way, with the cost being "being annoyed by your computer many times a day" and the benefit being "avoiding being horribly, horribly annoyed by your computer once in a very long while if you should be unlucky". But it sounds like there may be better ways to achieve security.

    Happy to hear other opinions as well. Thanks for your response, edwar.
    Last edited by StainedGlass; 19 Sep 2012 at 17:22. Reason: Specify "administrator" vs "Administrator"
      My Computer

  4.    #4

    I agree with Edwar. Standard User is not intended for the PC owner. If you don't trust yourself keep UAC turned on.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks for your opinions! I went ahead as you recommended.
      My Computer


 

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