About to reinstall Win 7, need advice

[JordanJP]

I'm about to reinstall Win 7 and among other things I'm thinking of looking into using the OS as a Non Admin permanently. I'm the only person who uses my computer, but what I mean is I would like to create a non-admin account and use that on a daily basis and only use the admin account to install programs or make system wide changes.

Could anyone direct me in the right direction on how I would go about doing this ?


Thanks


JJP

 

[Product FRED]

I'm about to reinstall Win 7 and among other things I'm thinking of looking into using the OS as a Non Admin permanently. I'm the only person who uses my computer, but what I mean is I would like to create a non-admin account and use that on a daily basis and only use the admin account to install programs or make system wide changes.

Could anyone direct me in the right direction on how I would go about doing this ?


Thanks


JJP

When you setup Windows after installation, it will log you into your created account, which is an admin account by default. Just navigate the Control Panel and create a new user, making sure it's not an admin. There's a default admin account built into Windows 7 that's hidden, but I wouldn't suggest using it.

Control Panel -> User Accounts -> Manage Another Account -> Create New Account -> Standard User

 

[JordanJP]

I'm about to reinstall Win 7 and among other things I'm thinking of looking into using the OS as a Non Admin permanently. I'm the only person who uses my computer, but what I mean is I would like to create a non-admin account and use that on a daily basis and only use the admin account to install programs or make system wide changes.

Could anyone direct me in the right direction on how I would go about doing this ?


Thanks


JJP

When you setup Windows after installation, it will log you into your created account, which is an admin account by default. Just navigate the Control Panel and create a new user, making sure it's not an admin. There's a default admin account built into Windows 7 that's hidden, but I wouldn't suggest using it.

Control Panel -> User Accounts -> Manage Another Account -> Create New Account -> Standard User

hmm what's the difference between the "default admin account" and the "admin account" that is created right after installing Windows ?

Also why wouldn't you recommend using the "default admin account" ?

Thanks

 

[Product FRED]

The default admin account is hidden and might cause some problems if it's modified. You'd need to enable it through a registry edit. By default it has no password set, but will still ask for a password anyways, so you'd need to change the password from another admin account. From personal experience, I would suggest you keep the admin account created during installation as your admin account, and create a standard account for normal usage.

 

[CarlTR6]

I'm about to reinstall Win 7 and among other things I'm thinking of looking into using the OS as a Non Admin permanently. I'm the only person who uses my computer, but what I mean is I would like to create a non-admin account and use that on a daily basis and only use the admin account to install programs or make system wide changes.

Could anyone direct me in the right direction on how I would go about doing this ?


Thanks


JJP

That is actually the safer, more secure way to use a computer.

 

[gregrocker]

People who know what they are doing can run the Hidden administrator account without worries. It does not require a password, doesn't bother you for anything ever (nice) and is best set up right after install.

I believe you can set User Account controls to lowest setting to avoid being bothered at all, as well.

In your case, you'd need to establish another User Account without Admin authority, but it will create the sign-in screen for your two accounts. This is fine if you have a password, but a bother otherwise.

I believe you need to have at least one account with Admin privileges. You can turn up the User Account setting if you want it more restricted.