Setting Up Additional Users


Chances are you're not the only person using your computer; it's likely that you'll be sharing your PC to some degree with your spouse and kids. Fortunately, you can configure Windows so that different people using your computer sign on with their own custom settingsand access to their own personal files.

You should assign each user in your household his own password-protected user account. Anyone trying to access another user's account and files without the password will then be denied access.

tip

There can be more than one administrator account per PC, so you might want to set up your spouse with an administrator account, too.


There are three different types of user accounts you can establish on your computercomputer administrator, limited, and guest. You'll want to set yourself up as the computer administrator because only this account can make systemwide changes to your PC, install software, and access all the files on the system. Set up other household members with limited accounts; they'll be able to use the computer and access their own files but won't be able to install software or mess up the main settings. Any guests to your household, then, can sign on via the guest account.

Only the computer administrator can add a new user to your system. To set up a new account on your machine, be sure that you're logged on via an administrator account and then follow these steps:

1.

Click the Start button to open the Start menu.

2.

Select Control Panel to open the Control Panel folder.

3.

Select User Accounts, and then select Create a New Account.

4.

When the User Accounts screen appears, enter a name for the account and click Next.

5.

On the next screen, check either the Computer Administrator or Limited option; then click the Create Account button.

Windows XP now creates the new account and randomly assigns a picture that will appear next to the username. You or the user can change this picture at any time by returning to the User Accounts utility, selecting the account, and then selecting the Change My Picture option.

caution

If you create a password for your account, you better remember it. You won't be able to access Windowsor any of your applications and documentsif you forget the password!


By default, no password is assigned to the new account. If you want to assign a password, return to the User Accounts utility, select the account, and then select the Create a Password option.

The Absolute Minimum

Here are the key points to remember from this chapter:

  • To change most display options (color, resolution, and so on), right-click anywhere on the desktop to display the Display Options dialog box.

  • To change the way the Start menu looks and acts, right-click the Start button and select Properties from the pop-up menu.

  • If you're using a laptop PC or a desktop with an LCD flat-screen display, make sure that you activate the ClearType option.

  • If you have multiple users in your household, create a user account for each person, and assign each user his own password. (Just make sure that you remember your passwordor you won't be able to log in to Windows!)




Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics
Absolute Beginners Guide to Computer Basics (2nd Edition)
ISBN: 0789731754
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 261

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net