Re: user accounts

• From: KB <karlb65nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
• Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 17:03:25 -0500

KB wrote:

KB wrote:

Bruce Chambers wrote:

KB wrote:

Hi,

I am the only one who uses my computer so I am not as
savvy as some about users. I wanted to know, if you have
different users, are they still able to see your folders.
If so, how can you have different users, but keep your
folders (or files) private. Thanks,

KB

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder
Permissions
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q308418

So the answer is YES, they do have access? From the links,
I was able to gather that each user gets his own documents
folder, plus settings etc. I take it from your second link
you are saying that other users could gain access to your
folders unless you protect them.

Ok, I have read the info, but guess I need it broken down to
me. Here is my real-life scenario. A friend has a computer
that she lets her kids use (probably not good idea). They
all have their own usernames and login with passwords, BUT
they have gotten all her folders and files messed up (don't
have the computer yet, so not sure what that means). She
wants to be able to keep their paws off her folders. Should
she basically password protect any folders she doesn't want
their paws on, including subfolders? If she is administrator
and logs in, can she still see and access their folders (for
checking up)?

Here are some ideas you can pass on to your friend:

System Security
1. Set up a screen saver to come on after a short period of
time. The screen saver should be password protected. Control
Panel -> Display -> Screen Saver page -> Check "On resume, show
the Welcome Screen".
2. If the computer is set up to go into standby after a certain
amount of time, this should be password protected as well.
Control Panel -> Power Options -> Advanced page -> Check
"Prompt for password when computer resumes from standby".
3. The kids should have limited accounts. Only adults should be
computer administrators.
4. If she's using Outlook Express for email, she should create
separate identities for each email user. The identities should
have their own passwords. Other email programs offer similar
security options.

File and Folder Security

Odds are that your friend's computer will be running the Home
Edition of Windows XP. That will limit the options she has
available when trying to protect her files. As long as she
keeps her important files in her My Documents folder, the kids
won't be able to gain access.

One potential problem would be if the kids figured out how to
enable the "Make this folder private" option for their My
Documents file. If they did this, even the administrators group
would not have access. In order to access this folder she'd
need to give her account or the administrators group full
control permissions. In XP Home Edition, this can only be done
when the computer is running in Safe Mode. If you want more
info on this subject go to Start -> Help and Support and enter
"Make your folders private" in the Search box. Take a look at
the items listed under "Full-text Search Matches".

Here's a Microsoft article that you might want to take a look
at:

How to configure file sharing in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Good luck

Nepatsfan

Thanks for the good info.
.

• References:
  • user accounts
    • From: KB
  • Re: user accounts
    • From: Bruce Chambers
  • Re: user accounts
    • From: KB
  • Re: user accounts
    • From: KB
  • Re: user accounts
    • From: Nepatsfan

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