How do I log on as Administrator in XP?

[DieHardware]

When I log off "user" there is no choice to log on as Admin. I can't install tweak UI as a user.

 

[Sorcerer]

I'm thinking that you hit "ctrl-alt-del" again at the login screen to log in as Admin.
Not 100% sure though.

 

[Vadatajs]

<< I'm thinking that you hit "ctrl-alt-del" again at the login screen to log in as Admin.
Not 100% sure though. >>



That's how you do it.

 

[TheJTrain]

I've noticed on my recent clean install on XP into a new box, that I never actively "log on" - it just boots up directly into Windows, and there I am. I've only specified one user so far (during the install process when it asked me to identify myself), but I've never had to use my username/password to get into Windows, ever. Is this normal?

Jason

 

[SPB]

To have the option everytime you boot up or log out just go into the control panel and then into user accounts. In here click on change the way users log on and off and then uncheck user welcome screen.

 

[iluvdeal]

<< I've noticed on my recent clean install on XP into a new box, that I never actively "log on" - it just boots up directly into Windows, and there I am. I've only specified one user so far (during the install process when it asked me to identify myself), but I've never had to use my username/password to get into Windows, ever. Is this normal?

Jason >>



Same with me. I entered one user name only. I never specified a password for the admin so maybe that's why?

 

[Slogun]

In case you have difficulty logging in as admin, some tips:

Get to the appropriate screen to log in by first "logging off."

Next hit Ctrl-Alt-Del-Del

(yes, hit Del twice!)

Then type in "administrator"

 

[iluvdeal]

I might also add, even though I didn't log in as admin, I have full control and can use the admin tools etc. So I don't think logging in as admin is necessary in all cases.

 

[rw120555]

Yes, what do you gain by logging in as administrator? I have WinXP pro, set up on a home network, but I'm the only user on my machine.

 

[TheLogLady]

This was a source of irration to me when I upgraded to xp a couple
nights ago. I only created one user account (as admin), and I never turned the
welcome screen/auto logon feature off. Wierd thing is that a folder
for my user account name was never created, just the "all users" folder and a
"default" folder. All of my programs were in the all users folder, and
only the microsoft basics were in the default. I tried right clicking
on the start button to "open all users" like the manual suggests, but it
only gives me the option to "open", so it just opened the default start menu
again. The only way I could get access to my apps on the start menu
(i.e., instead of using the run command or navigating to the executable) was
to copy and paste the "documents and settings\all users" folder contents
over the "documents and settings\default" folder contents.

Even though I only had access to the 'default' account facilities, I
could still execute admin level operations and it gave me the option to 'log
off cheese' with 'cheese' being my user account.

This is not a complaint about xp, because I'm sure that I'm just doing
something stupid here. I've only had a couple of hours to play with
it,but xp seems pretty cool (especially compared the the hideous piece o' dung that was win
me).

 

[DieHardware]

Thanks guys, I'll try the double three finger salute.

 

[SUOrangeman]

For those without a little bit of NT history, there has always been an administrator user. As most of you have witnessed with XP (which is NT 5.1), you set up the Admin credentials (password and such) during the install.

In most, if not all cases, you are heavily urged, if not forced, to create another account. The original idea is that this user account is for day-to-day use, while Admin is reserved for special cases. Granted, this paradigm makes more sense in the business world, but doesn't do much for home users or systems with only one user. So, MS chose the path of making your one user an administrator as well. Just think of this as if it were WIn9x/ME, where any user can do any and everything to the system.

PERSONALLY, I am a heavy user of Win2K, BUT I DO NOT USE an administrator account in a day-to-day fashion. Sure, it is nice to have, but I really don't need it. But when I do need it, I can either log in as admin or temporarily do so with the "Run As..." service (hold shift and right-click on any executable or shortcut to an executable). This methodology FORCES me to consider my actions before doing something so serious to the system that it requires admin privileges. Stability is the name of the game with NT, so you don't just go around giving everybody full access.

So, what does SUO use? A power user is perfect for 99% of the things I do. I've even forced my XP install to have the lone admin and one power user.

-SUO

 

[TheLogLady]

for me, ctrl_alt_del at the login screen didn't do anything. I'm using xp home - maybe it's different from pro? I tried logging in at the initial login option using username 'administrator', but it told me I couldn't log on as that because of "account restrictions".

I have one account created, so it has adminstrator status. Are you saying that there is also a generic 'Administrator' identity separate from my created account?

Here's what i don't get - why isn't there a folder in 'documents and settings' for my account name? There is only 'All Users', 'default', and "Default User'. I log on with my username, and it pulls up the profile for 'default'. Like i said before, I had to manually paste the start menu shortcuts from 'All Users' into the 'default' folder in order to get all of my programs in my start menu. Everytime I install something new, it populates the 'All users" start menu folder with the new program shortcut, but does not propagate it to the 'default' start menu. So once again I have to go in and copy and paste. I thought that anything in "All Users" would be visible in the start menu of all accounts? If i don't paste them into the 'default' folder, the only way I can get to the shortcuts in the 'all users' start menu folder is to navigate there using explorer. Kind of defeats the purpose of a start menu.

What's the difference between 'default' and 'Default User'?

Obviously I am doing something moronic here.

On a brighter note, I'm digging the cleartype. A noticeable improvement, even using an aperture grill crt.