Re: *hidden* new user account/error (control userpasswords2)

From: Wesley Vogel (123WVogel955_at_comcast.net)
Date: 02/09/05 

Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2005 20:04:00 -0700

Did you read any of the warnings?

[[The userpasswords2 applet should not be used on WINDOWS XP Home Edition as
a tool to edit or modify users. It is reserved for WINDOWS XP Professional
Edition. The reason for this is that userpasswords2 allows the user to
access to the 'Power Users' group which doesn't exist on WINDOWS XP Home
Edition.]]

[[This computer is running Windows XP Home Edition. This snapin may not be
used with that version of Windows. To manage user accounts for this
computer, use the User Accounts tool in the Control Panel]]

The Power Users group doesn't exist on WINDOWS XP Home Edition.

control userpasswords is what should be used with XP Home, *not* control
userpasswords2!

The only thing you should use control userpasswords2 for with XP Home is to
change the way you logon. Nothing else!

[[SYMPTOMS
When running 'control userpasswords2' with Windows XP Home Edition, the
following error may be displayed:

- The user could not be added because the following error has occurred, The
group name could not be found: When creating a new user and make it member
of the 'Power Users' group.

- The group membership for Computer name\User could not be updated : When
updating an existing user, adding him to the 'Power Users group'.

CAUSE
The userpasswords2 applet should not be used on WINDOWS XP Home Edition as a
tool to edit or modify users. It is reserved for WINDOWS XP Professional
Edition. The reason for this is that userpasswords2 allows the user to
access to the 'Power Users' group which doesn't exist on WINDOWS XP Home
Edition.

RESOLUTION
Do not use 'control userpasswords2', to update and create user accounts on
WINDOWS XP Home Edition. Instead, use the 'User Account' option from
'control panel' to manage User Accounts and groups. This tool will not show
the 'Power Users' group on WINDOWS XP Home Edition. ]]

KB817365
Creation of user in the 'Power Users' group with 'Control Userpasswords2'
http://www.it-faq.pl/mskb/817/365.HTM

Apparently MS pulled KB817365 from MSKB. 

-- 
Hope this helps.  Let us know.
Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
In news:B6B9F2F9-9959-472D-99AF-FC1BEA9D8AB6@microsoft.com,
KnS <KnS@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked:
> Hi,
> I have done this a few times using XP Home.
>
> If you use Start > Run > "control userpasswrds2" to add a new user, it
> prompts you to enter a username & password. You then click next, which
> prompts you what type of user you would like it to be. I have
> previously selected Power User & User.
>
> An error message occurs saying that the user group specified could
> not be found.
>
> If you then select a different user group, it says that the user
> (that you are in the process of creating) already has access to this
> system - or something like that.
>
> I then click cancel. and logoff windows.
>
> I then go to login as the user I have just created, and I can login.
> Under control panel >users, the user is listed as a guest - HMM XP
> Home failing to find the other user Groups assigned it to the Guest
> group?
>
> I logoff, and logon as an administrator, go to control panel - and
> the user i created does not exist there. Run "control userpasswords2"
> and the user is not listed there also.
>
> You can still login as the user, but it is not listed in any user
> lists in XP home.
>
> How can I delete this use account?
>
> I have done this a few times on previous installs of XP on my PC.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions on how to remove this user from the
> computer?
>
> Would be interesting to hear how this happens, and why, and also how
> to sort it out!?
>
> Thanks

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