Question about Win7 Password

[TheTalker]

I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate x64.

Heh, it's me again. I got some problems fixed but now I'm worried again. Someone said that changing the admin password can make bad things happen to your computer!

Is this true? This is scary because I have an admin account and it has a password.

 

[richc46]

I never heard of any problems due to changing the password, but why not use my technique. I am the only user of my computer, but I have 2 adm accounts. Just in case; problems can occur if you change the password or not.

 

[Product FRED]

No, you should be fine

 

[TheTalker]

Thank you Rich and Fred. I wonder why that person said that. I sent him a message so hopefully he'll see it soon and will be able to explain.

Maybe if I remove the password first and then make a new one that might eliminate any possible problems.

Thank you everyone.

Rich, I might just do that! Are there any cons with having two admin accounts?

 

[richc46]

Regardless of what you find out, you cannot go wrong by taking precautions in advance. There have been no reported cons and none for me with an additional account. Wish you the best.

 

[TheTalker]

Alright. Thank you for your help.

I will go ahead and make two admin accounts just as a precaution.

 

[richc46]

Just so you know, if you set up another admin account, you will have 3. This 3rd one is all powerful, but cannot always be accessed, if there is a passoword problem, but can be used to solve a lot of problems that are otherwise difficult or imposible.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/507-built-administrator-account-enable-disable.html?filter[2]=User Accounts

 

[TheTalker]

So, if there is a password problem I can go to that 3rd admin account if it's been activated.

But this was the guide I was looking at: User Account Password - Change from WinRE

Step 16 of that guide says that you'll be able to log onto the admin account without a password provided there is only one user account. So I was thinking that if I create a 2nd admin account that might render the above guide useless to me. Which I would not want as it seems to work.

Edit: What do you think of that guide Rich or Fred?

 

[richc46]

I would be the last member to contradict anything that is read in the excellent tutorials that are provided by Brink and the Forum. I cannot forsee the future and what may or may not happen. Knowing all the facts that you have presented, plus the experience of many other members, I chose to have a another Adm account. I have never had a problem. In addition, a close friend, who lives many miles away, has allowed me to use her computer and gave me my own account, it is an adm account. She called about a month ago, because she inadvertleyl screwed up her account and could not get in. I gave her my password and she is up and running. The only advice that I can really give in this area is to weigh all that you have read and know and choose what is best for yourself. Give some weight, however to the fact that I use the advice that I have given you.

Take one more step, as I do, make a system image, put it in your drawer on a separate hard drive. Update once a month and you will not have any serious problems.

 

[TheTalker]

A system image backs up everything correct? If so then I don't know how I would be able to make one as I have a lot of stuff on my computer. I'd have to get another hard drive to store the image.

 

[richc46]

Again, you can do what I did. Download and make the backup with this. You can back up on DVD's a lot cheaper than an external hard drive but a bigger pain, too.

Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Overview

 

[TheTalker]

Okay, thank you very much for your help! I'll look into it.

Maybe it's also because I worry too much that I have fears of something happening, heh.

 

[richc46]

There is no perfect method, but in my opinion, the additional adm account, proper maintenance, the hard drive back up, a good antivirus and the use of malwarebytes, you will be ok.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware : Malwarebytes

As far as being concerned, we are both the same in that respect, so I understand.

 

[TheTalker]

Thank you very much for the information and the links! I'll bookmark this and keep it all in mind for when/if I get the time to do it.

The person who first made me worried explained to me that he actually meant to not change the password in the hidden admin account. They explained that I can do whatever I want in the regular admin user account but not the hidden one.

 

[richc46]

Thank you very much for the information and the links! I'll bookmark this and keep it all in mind for when/if I get the time to do it.

The person who first made me worried explained to me that he actually meant to not change the password in the hidden admin account. They explained that I can do whatever I want in the regular admin user account but not the hidden one.

Now that you explained in a little more detail, I agree. The hidden Admin account is an emergency use account. You change it, and use it as little as possible.