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Chapter 9: User Accounts

Introduction

A user account allows you to sign in to Windows 10. By default, your computer already has one user account, which you were required to create when setting up Windows for the first time. But if you plan to share your computer, you can create a separate user account for each member of your home or office.

Connecting users to a Microsoft account will help them get the most out of Windows. But if a user prefers not to create a Microsoft account, you can also add a local user account that exists only on your computer.

Administrator, Standard, and Managed accounts

Before you create new user accounts, it's important to understand the different types.

· Administrator: Administrator accounts are special accounts that are used for making changes to system settings or managing other people's accounts. They have full access to every setting on the computer. Every computer will have at least one Administrator account, and if you're the owner you should already have a password to this account.

· Standard: Standard accounts are the basic accounts you use for normal everyday tasks. As a Standard user, you can do just about anything you would need to do, such as running software or personalizing your desktop.

· Standard with Family Safety: These are the only accounts that can have parental controls. You can create a Standard account for each child, then go to the Family Safety settings in your Control Panel to set website restrictions, time limits, and more.

Generally, it's safer to be signed in to a Standard account than an Administrator account. If you're logged in as an Administrator, it may actually make it easier for an unauthorized user to make changes to your computer. Therefore, you may want to create a Standard account for yourself, even if you're not sharing the computer with anyone. You'll still be able to make Administrator-level changes; you'll just need to provide your Administrator password when making these changes.

Chapter 9: User Accounts Margarita Michalatou

What is a user account or administrator account?

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A user account is a user that has partial control of the computer and often cannot make changes to other users on the computer. A user account should be used for everyday home tasks, such as editing photos and browsing the web. An administrator account is a user that has complete control of the computer and can make changes that affect other users of the computer. Like installing programs and accessing all files on a computer.

Why it is important not to use an administrator account for everyday use?

Administrator accounts are the ‘keys to the kingdom’, as they give a user full control of the computer. Cybercriminals will target administrator accounts in order to take full control of a user’s computer. By not using an administrator account for everyday use you will help limit what a virus or exploit can access if your computer becomes infected. The daily use of an administrator account on a computer can be likened to a caretaker using an apartment block master key to enter their own apartment, instead of the dedicated apartment key. Whilst the apartment and master key achieve the same purpose for the caretaker (and might seem convenient for their day job), carrying a master key all the time opens up the caretaker to a greater risk of compromise to the entire building if they lose control of the master key.

Where do I change it?

Modification of user and administrator accounts can be done in Control Panel. Icons and language may differ slightly depending on the build version of Windows you are using.

Changing the account type on Windows 10

Choose the account you want

Figure 1 Click on the user you want to make changes.

Go to settings and click on accounts

Figure 3 Click on Change the account type.

Click here

Choose what kind of account do you want

Then, click on Change Account Type

Figure 4 Choose if you want the account to be a standard account or administrator. Then click on Change Account Type.

Removing accounts on Windows 10.

Figure 1 Click on the user you want to remove.

Click on the account you want to remove

Figure 1 Click on the user you want to remove.

Delete or Keep Files

Click here

Figure 3 Choose between deleting all the files of the user you are removing or to keep the files.

Figure 2 Click on Delete the account.

Click here

Figure 5 Click Delete Account to confirm

Creating a new account on Windows 10

Figure 1 Click on Add a new user in PC settings.

Click here

Scroll until you see this, then click on it

Figure 2 Scroll down and click on Add someone else to this PC.

Last step, click on Next

Security question in case you forget your password

Password

Username

Figure 3 Enter the username, passphrase, and security question/answers. Click Next, by default this new user will not have administrator access. You can also create a new user account using a Microsoft account; however, you must be connected to the internet.