Unable to demote Administrator account

[Sentinel88]

I am trying to convert to using a limited user account. I want to do this as it is a safer practice than what I am doing at the moment. Currently I am using the default Admin account when I purchased the computer from new. This account has all my files, images and music files. I have created an Admin account and then tried to 'demote' my default admin account which contains all my files to a limited user privileges. However the default Admin account does not show 'Change Account Type'. Is this because W7 believes I have not created an Admin account and will not let me demote the user privileges. How can I create a limited user account and have access to all my files I created in the default Admin account?

 

[logicearth]

You need an active Administrator account, if you only have one active account turning it into a standard user would be BAD. You need at least one active Administrator account. Otherwise you'll be locked out of do any administrative tasks.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/181024-user-account-create.html?filter[2]=User%20Accounts

 

[M1GU31]

Like logicearth said you need one administrative account. If you don't want to use the account then make a second account with limited privileges and use that one instead with the main admin account

 

[bru]

If I read the post correct it sounds like he has created another admin account. Now he wants the original admin account with all it's included files, etc. to become a limited user account. I would like to do something similar.

Following M1GU31's suggestion I would have a new limited user account but to access files and programs I'd have to go back to the admin account, which sort of defeats the purpose in my mind. Or am I completely wrong?

 

[Sentinel88]

Thanks bru, you understand my issue. I want a use limited user account for safe practice but I want to access all the files I created on my default Admin account. Does anyone know how I do this? I followed the tutorial on the windows web site but even after I have created a new ADMIN account I cannot demote the default Admin account I created to a standard user.

 

[UsernameIssues]

I cannot test this right now - but something like this might work:

Temporarily elevate the limited user account to admin
Copy (or move) the files of interest into folders owned by the limited user
Demote the limited user

 

[DavidE]

I tested this today in W7-32 Bit, and i had no problem demoting my Admin account to a Standard/Limited account.
Before demoting I did create a new Admin account.
Everything works as expected for me.

Can you demote the new Admin account you created to a Standard account?

Just to be sure, when you say "default Admin account", you are not referring to the Windows Super Admin account named "Administrator".

I created an Acronis Backup Image before I started making changes...

 

[bbearren]

The Windows Administrator account is inactive by default, and best left that way.

You have been using an account in the Administrators Group since you bought the PC, and it has all your files and settings. You want to convert this account to a Standard User account.

You have created another Admin account.

You say that you cannot "demote" your original account.

If I have all this correct so far, my first question is, what account are you logged onto when you try to "demote" your original account to a Standard User?

In order to change the privilege level of an account, you must be logged on to an account in the Administrators Group, but not the account you are trying to change.

My second question is, have you logged onto the newly created Admin account and tried to change the original Admin account to a Standart User?

 

[bbearren]

There is only one named Administrator account. The account named Administrator is the default Windows Administrator account. In Windows 7, this account is inactive by default. Windows 7 will not allow renaming this account; you can't shorten the name to Admin.

One can create an account that is a member of the Administrators Group named Admin, but it is not the default Windows Administrator account.

When one purchases a desktop or laptop with Windows 7 installed, when it is first being setup the OOBE asks for a user name, etc. The account being setup during the OOBE is a member of the Administrators Group.

If one later wishes to run routinely as a Standard User (advisable), but without losing all the Windows settings and personal files, etc. that were being created during the OOBE and after, the easiest way to do this is to create another user account in the Administrators Group. (I always name mine Admin).

After creating the "Admin" account, create a password for this new account. Remember this password and/or write it down. Next, logoff and logon using the "Admin" account. Go to Start > Control Panel > User Accounts. It will open in the "Admin" account. Select "Mangage another account", and then select your original account that you wish to change to a Standard User. Select the radio button beside "Standard User", and OK your way back out.

Logoff, then logon to your old account, and it will now be a Standard User account. In the future, when using this account you will undoubtedly encounter UAC. You can enter the password for the "Admin" account, and that will satisfy UAC nicely.

 

[DavidE]

Previously I always demoted another account, but to clarify:

When I tested this, i demoted an Administrator account to a Standard account while logged in to the account I was demoting.

It worked without any problems.

 

[bru]

If one later wishes to run routinely as a Standard User (advisable), but without losing all the Windows settings and personal files, etc. that were being created during the OOBE and after, the easiest way to do this is to create another user account in the Administrators Group. (I always name mine Admin).

After creating the "Admin" account, create a password for this new account. Remember this password and/or write it down. Next, logoff and logon using the "Admin" account. Go to Start > Control Panel > User Accounts. It will open in the "Admin" account. Select "Mangage another account", and then select your original account that you wish to change to a Standard User. Select the radio button beside "Standard User", and OK your way back out.

Logoff, then logon to your old account, and it will now be a Standard User account. In the future, when using this account you will undoubtedly encounter UAC. You can enter the password for the "Admin" account, and that will satisfy UAC nicely.

If I follow this procedure and have changed my OOBE administrator account to a Standard User are all my files and programs accesible from this SU account without having to copy anything over? Will all future files now be associated with this SU account?

In what instances would I need to log in as the new "Admin" account? Or will it only come in to play when I am logged in as SU and I encounter UAC? If I am the only user can I not have a password for the new "Admin" account?

 

[DavidE]

All your files, programs, customizations, etc. should be in the Standard Account.
Some of your programs may now prompt you for Admin authority to run.
Installing new programs may prompt you if you want the program installed for all users.
I usually click "Run as administrator" when installing a new program.

I have always used a PW with my Admin accounts, so I get prompted for that PW as needed.
You probably don't need to use a PW, if you don't want to.

For the most part, anything that needs Admin authority will prompt you when it tries to run.
You can also right-click on a program and click "Run as administrator".

Some programs can run as a Standard User or an Admin, and work a bit different depending on the user.
Ccleaner, MBAM, HWmonitor, and Process Explorer come to mind right now.

I rarely log in to my Admin accounts, here's what i can think of:

- When I'm installing/uninstalling Security software.
- If I install a new program, and something doesn't (seem) to work right.
- Creating an Acronis backup image.
- Editing the registry
-- I've found some keys can not be deleted from the STD account.
-- There can be differences in what keys are found depending on user.

 

[bbearren]

If I follow this procedure and have changed my OOBE administrator account to a Standard User are all my files and programs accesible from this SU account without having to copy anything over? Will all future files now be associated with this SU account?

Yes, everything will be there, no copying needed, all future files/settings/documents will belong to the Standard User account.

In what instances would I need to log in as the new "Admin" account? Or will it only come in to play when I am logged in as SU and I encounter UAC?

For the most part, only when you encounter UAC. For system maintenance, you can use "Run as administrator" in nearly all cases.

For registry editing that will effect all users, I would logon to the new Admin account.

If I am the only user can I not have a password for the new "Admin" account?

I always advise against running without a password for any account, but particulary any account in the Administrators Group.