Trounle with XP Pro mutiple Users

[cmp1223]

Built a new computer, during install of WInXP Pro SP2 entered a Admin Name and Password. Couple days later, i go to create new user. It only allows me to create one with admin acess, not limited, becasue there must be one, but i think there already is one, i saw it on the previous screen and (Panel>User Accounts) and created it during setup like i described. I create it anyway and after a restart that is the only user there is. The original Admin i entered during setup doesn't exists. I can access some files through Docs and Settings, but all the windows cutomizations I did are gone. Its ok now, but has this happened to anyone? Will this cause problems in the future if there is some "lost" admin account on my computer, or was it deleted automatically?

 

[bsobel]

This is completely normal. MS will hide the administrator account as soon as a administrive privledge account is created, all additional accounts can be either admin or limited at this point.

 

[cmp1223]

IT good to hear its normal, but i already had some favorites, desktop settings, and other customizations that dissapeared along with the original account. There should be a warning for people like me!

 

[ActuaryTm]

Courtesy of this article:

1. The first option is to press [Ctrl][Alt][Delete] at the Welcome Screen twice This will change the Welcome Screen login to the Windows 2000 style log in, where you can now type Administrator and the password for the Admin account.
2. The second option is to boot in safe mode, under which the Welcome Screen will display only accounts with Administrator privileges, including the original Administrator account.
3. The third option is to make the Administrator account the only user account with the administrative privileges. This means that you will have to remove all other users from the Administrators group with the help of the Computer Management console.
4. The fourth choice is to add the Administrator to the Welcome Screen:
   
   Start the Registry Editor
   Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ Winlogon \ SpecialAccounts \ UserList \
   Right-click an empty space in the right pane and select New > DWORD Value
   Name the new value Administrator
   Double-click this new value, and enter 1 as its Value data
   Close the registry editor

 

[cmp1223]

Thanks, that explains it. On a similar note, is there a guide to how mutiple users' files work? I want all of the programs/utilitites to be the same for all users. the only things i want different are desktop files, bookmarks, and OE mail (if possible) Is this what happens normally?

 

[redbeard1]

Almost everything a person does is contained in the profile for that user. Software will generally install itself, so that all users can use it. For however many user you create, there will be a sub folder in the "Documents and Settings" folder. This is where all of the user profile stuff is kept, such as email, favorites and the desktop. The desktop items that you are missing, that you created in the administrator account, are still there. You could go into the administrator folder and find the desktop folder and copy what you want out of it and then paste it in the desktop folder of your new profile.