Re: How can I get the administrator back on my welcome screen

From: Bruce Chambers (bruce_a_chambers_at_h0tmail.com)
Date: 03/06/05 

Date: Sun, 06 Mar 2005 09:26:15 -0700

Greg wrote:
> Just today I created two user accounts. for the last 7 months I have signed
> on as Administrator. I had built up data and settings during those 7 months.
> I didn't realize that by creating the user accounts (one of which is
> designated as "computer administrator") I would lock myself out of the
> Administrator account and all my old settings for microsoft products, my
> browser, the desktop, etc. I want the Administrator account back or I want
> to have full and easy access to it from one of my new user accounts.

     As you've learned, once any additional user accounts have been
created, the Administrator account will no longer be displayed on the
Welcome Screen. This is a default security feature. By design, the
only way to log into the Administrator account of WinXP Home is to
reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at
the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login dialog box.

     The built-in Administrator account really isn't intended to be
used for day-to-day normal use. The standard security practice is to
set a strong password on it and use it only to create another account
for regular use, reserving the Administrator account as a "back door"
in case something corrupts your regular account(s).

     A wiser course of action would be to create another user account
for your daily use, as you say you've done, and copy desired the files
and settings from the Administrator account to this newly created user
profile.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151 

-- 
Bruce Chambers
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