XP Account Type

[darktubbly]

I'm going to format my XP system in a couple days, and I was wondering if anyone knows about the type of user account I should create for everyday use -- Administrator, Power User, or other. I've been using XP for the last year or so with an Administrator type account with no ill effects, but I know in a Linux environment, one is advised not to login with root privileges for doing general work. Does the same hold true in XP?

 

[mee987]

only if you dont trust yourself on your own pc

 

[cleverhandle]

I would work under the most restrictive account that allows you to get your work done. Using a Limited account means that worms/viruses have less power and that you can't accidentally install some slimy spyware to a system directory. I highly recommend it. I'm sure there's some software out there that will flat out not run on a Limited account, but with a bit of tweaking I've managed to get the typical range of hardware utilities and the few games I play working just fine.

 

[prosaic]

I wouldl think it would depend much upon your habits and the precautions you take as to whether or not it's worth your while to use a lower level user account for daily use. On the other hand using a lower level account and learning to make the OS accommodate your need to use such an account for running your software can be a good learning experience.

But you're not stuck with just Admin or Limited account types. If you crank up the alternate user and accounts dialog you can create other user types, like Power User for instance. To run the alternate dialog just go into the Start|Run dialog and type in "control userpasswords2" (no quotes) and click OK. Be careful. I recommend having TWO admin accounts on each machine, the original and an additional one which you use for general admin chores. (I leave the original admin account alone unless I need it for performing some sort of rescue or recovery function.) If you have only one admin account and it gets borked during a software or device installation, the OS installation is screwed, and you have to start over.

And, BTW, running in an admin account in Windows XP is not the same as operating as root in *nix. Root is more like operating as SYSTEM in Windows. Now THAT would be dangerous.

- prosaic

 

[darktubbly]

Thanks a bunch, guys! Your responses have helped immensely.

 

[mee987]

Your responses have helped immensely

except mine

 

[n0cmonkey]

Weigh the risks:

Using Admin you can potentially:
Accidentally screw something up and spend some time fixing it or restoring from backups
Stupidly run some new virus and spend time fixing it or restoring from backups
Get infected with a trojan or a worm and blindly allow others to use your machine to mess with others on the 'net

Using Power User:
You do not have permission to screw up anything but your own data
A virus will only affect your data
A trojan or worm may still work, but again, it should only affect your stuff

How much is your time and data worth? Is a little privacy worth a miniscule amount of extra work to you? Are you as 31337 as these other guys and dont have to worry about accidents, brand spanking new viruses, 0-day exploits, exploits on software you havent updated today, etc?

 

[mee987]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Weigh the risks:
Using Power User:
You do not have permission to screw up anything but your own data
A virus will only affect your data
A trojan or worm may still work, but again, it should only affect your stuff

everything on my computer is "my stuff" and i bet most people here would say the same. i understand limited accounts if multiple people use the pc, but i dont think its necessary for single user pcs

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: mee987

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Weigh the risks:
Using Power User:
You do not have permission to screw up anything but your own data
A virus will only affect your data
A trojan or worm may still work, but again, it should only affect your stuff

everything on my computer is "my stuff" and i bet most people here would say the same. i understand limited accounts if multiple people use the pc, but i dont think its necessary for single user pcs

If you become a gateway for a cracker to attack other machines, you are no longer affecting just your stuff.

 

[coolVariable]

I usually work as an admin ... it's just not worth the hassle to have to change accounts for every minor stuff.