Re: Is there something different about first "Administrative Account"

How come when I install a new copy of "XP Home" and enter the 'Win'
Administrative Account" there is nothing in it that indicates it is in "Safe
Mode"? There was a Post that indicated that the "Normal Administrator
Account" would only be converted to "Safe Mode" after creation of a second
account. But this is also incorrect!

Don J

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"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23caogkbFIHA.4880@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Don J wrote:
Readimg various posts I get the distinct impression that there is
something special about the first administrator account that is
formed at the time of theoriginal install, that no other
administrator accounts formed after it enjoys. Yet there is no way
of recognizing the first administrator account from those formed
after it. One post claims that formation of a second account, of
any type, causes the first administrative account to be alway in
"Safe Mode". But some experimetation shows that this is not the
true. Can anybody explain whether and how the first
"Administrative Account" differs from those formed after it, and if
so, how it is recognized as diifferent once other "Administrative
Account" are formed.

How about sticking with the same thread and not starting a new one every
other day? heh

You are misunderstanding something or trying to understand something that
isn't there... It's simple.

- In the default Windows XP Home installation - the Administror account
(built in admin account) is (without hacking) only visible in Safe Mode.
If you see it other than in Safe Mode in Windows XP Home - that install
has been messed with.
- In the default Windows XP Professional (and supersets) installation - if
you create another account and have not changed it so the original
administrator account is 'visible' on the Welcome screen - suddenly you
cannot get to it without changing the setting OR pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL
twice at the welcome screen. If you see the "Administrator" user on the
Welcome Screen logon - that install has been messed with.

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/admins.htm

Is there anything *special* about the built-in administrator? Yes and No.
An administrative level account is an administrative level account.
However - the built-in account cannot be deleted.

It is 'hidden' more often than not by default because it is hoped that
would prevent the less-informed from getting into trouble easily. It is -
as I described in one of the almost identical threads of yours referenced
above - nothing more than security by obscurity and is all but worthless.
In fact - I would say it *is* worthless to hide said account - because
anyone who wants in has done the research and is getting in.

It might prevent the people who bought their computer at Best Buy/Circuit
City/other large chain or online retailer from really messing things up
*if* the store created an account for the user (like "owner") that was a
limited account - but most of the time that is not done. In fact - the
majority of time a machine coming from such a place can be 'broken into'
by simply loggin in as the built-in "administrator" account with NO
PASSWORD. Not to mention - most of the time the "owner" user is a
administrative level account.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html



.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Boot-up peculiarity
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  • Re: Boot-up peculiarity
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