Re: Administrator folder in Windows Explorer

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Smirnoff wrote:

XP Pro, SP3

I am the sole user of my computer and have JUST noticed that I now have
an Administrator folder in Win. Explorer, listed under Documents and
Settings, along with All Users and my normal username (with admin.
privileges) account.

(snip all the bits that are really off base anyway)

Yes, of course you do. That is the built-in Administrator account. See below
for an explanation of the user profiles you are seeing:

XP is a multi-user operating system, no matter if only one person is using
it. In all multi-user operating systems - NT, Win2k, XP, Vista, Unix,
Linux, Mac OSX - there is the one built-in account that is "god" on the
system. In Windows terminology, that is "Administrator". In the *nix world,
it is "root". This is a necessary account and is not normally used in
everyday work. You cannot delete the built-in Administrator account nor
would you ever want to.

Documents and Settings - The "container" for all user settings. Each user
will have [username] My Documents, My Music, My Videos, My Pictures.

The All Users profile contains Shared Folders and settings common to all
users on the system. It doesn't matter if only one regular user exists
(you); this profile needs to be there. You don't need to use the Shared
Folders if you don't want to, but leave them alone!

Default User - This is the template from which new user accounts are made.
You will never put anything in any of those folders but they are needed to
create new users. In Linux we use "skel" ("skeleton" - get it?). In Windows
XP, the less-colorful term "Default User" is used. Leave it alone!

Administrator - Built-in account - Leave alone! Do not use! Do not worry
about it! In XP, the built-in Administrator account is only visible in
Documents and Settings if you have XP Pro/Media Center. In XP Home, it can
only be accessed in Safe Mode.

I hope this has clarified things for you.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

.

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