Re: Administrator profile missing

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Bonbon wrote:
I created a new windows user account "ken", but then after I logged out of "ken" profile, the Administrator profile is no is nowhere to be seen for log in. Administrator profile is also missing from Control panel > User accounts. How can I log into Administrator account again?



As you've discovered, once any additional administrative user accounts have been created, the built-in Administrator account will no longer be displayed on the Welcome Screen. This is a default security feature. By design, the only way to log into the Administrator account of WinXP Home is to reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login dialog box.

The built-in Administrator account really was never intended to be used for day-to-day normal use. The standard security practice is to rename the account, set a strong password on it, and use it only to create another account for regular use, reserving the Administrator account as a "back door" in case something corrupts your regular account(s).

A wiser course of action would be to create another user account for your daily use (as you've done), and copy desired the files and settings from the Administrator account to this newly created user profile.

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

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151



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Bruce Chambers

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