Question about "admin" account...

longbongsilver · 08-25-2008, 11:08 AM

Planning on putting Vista on my next computer, had a question. First, some background...

On my current XP, which I've had tons of issues with until fairly recently, I've recently noticed that thanks to some awkward responses to troubleshooting attempts, I have duplicates of my user account, plus the admin, and every once in awhile as a result I get messages saying I'm not allowed to unzip or move folders to some areas, instead having to use a default folder that I never access and drag from there.

The question: On Vista, can I set it up so that MY account is admin? No need to go to safe mode, no user account conflicts, just have it so that when I log on I have absolute full reign over everything, and any limitations only apply to other users?

I know there's something somewhat similar on XP, but it's too much of a hassle by now consolidating all the accounts, and I'm phasing out a lot of stuff on this computer once I get another one anyway. I just want to know if this is an option on Vista, so I can set it so my username is read as if I'm Admin from the jump, so I'm done with it.

Deleted082808 · 08-25-2008, 11:24 AM

Of course. Just make when you set it up, make sure your account is Admin. But remember, you CAN change it after setting it up.

**jcgriff2** · 08-25-2008, 11:36 AM

Hi longbongsilver. . .

Welcome to the Vista side of Windows!

I'll ask about the duplicate user accounts at another time if I may, as I am curious and I do certainly remember your multi-page XP thread.

In Vista, you must set up an administrator account when you first fire the system up for the first time. This admin account is #2 in the admin list. There is a Vista hidden admin account that can be activated and runs at an elevated administrator level - the #1 admin level.

If you activate the hidden admin account, there will then be two user names in the system - one named "Administrator" and the other your user name.

I do not recommend using the hidden admin as a regular user account, though, as you may find interference with system functions like Windows Updates.

Are you planning to upgrade from XP? If so, your user accounts from XP will be transferred over to Vista. What are the system specs you are planning for Vista and which version of Vista are you looking at?

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

.

longbongsilver · 08-25-2008, 01:26 PM

I actually plan on building a 2nd computer from scratch, then scaling back the duties of my current one. Current one is staying XP until it croaks. Here's a tentative parts list I was planning for the next one. I looked this up via NewEgg, except for the soundcard & speakers, which I'd have to get from a recording equipment shop:

core 2 quad 2.4GHz processor
Q965 motherboard MicroATX (currently have a spare one I plan on using)
NZXT Apollo ATX case
4GB DDr2 ram (Patriot "viper" brand)
Samsung DVD+-RW 20x SATA internal drive
Western digital caviar SE 500GB SATA hard drive (2)
Rosewill RX-358-S 3.5" SATA-USB Ext enclosure
Hanns-G 19" LCD monitor
Cooler Master ATX 650W power supply
Apevia CF12SL-UBL 120mm LED case fan
Echo Audiofire2 Firewire soundcard
M-audio DX4 monitoring speakers
Logitech optical mouse
Logitech cordless keyboard
Zotac PCI-e 7300GT 256MB

Was thinking Vista home premium would work fine.

BTW: I don't mean logging on as the hidden account, I just want my login to have the same rights. There's some music software that acts funny if not run with administrator rights.

**jcgriff2** · 08-26-2008, 02:30 PM

Hi LBS -

I would check the hardware items listed against the Vista Hardware compatibility list (LOGO) -

http://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/

You should not experience any difficulties with using the admin account set up at first login. Vista does have restrictions as to the placement of files, though. You cannot/should not place items in the \Program Files folder as Vista uses virtualization - you can make a change then go back into it and may not be there as your changes have been moved to the virtualization folder found within your user profile folders.

You won't have any difficulty in installing programs or saving files in general and I suggest that if you are planning to move/copy files from your XP system such as music, pix, documents to do it directly as Vista uses \users in place of \documents and settings and the folders found under XPs \\documents folder are now found under the \users\username folder itself. I can certainly assist you with this and do not not recommend using any type of transfer program or to back-up your XP files using a 3rd party product. It is only asking for trouble.

Regards. . .

JC

.

08-25-2008, 11:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
longbongsilver Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 82 OS: Vista x64 Home premium SP1 My System	Question about "admin" account... Planning on putting Vista on my next computer, had a question. First, some background... On my current XP, which I've had tons of issues with until fairly recently, I've recently noticed that thanks to some awkward responses to troubleshooting attempts, I have duplicates of my user account, plus the admin, and every once in awhile as a result I get messages saying I'm not allowed to unzip or move folders to some areas, instead having to use a default folder that I never access and drag from there. The question: On Vista, can I set it up so that MY account is admin? No need to go to safe mode, no user account conflicts, just have it so that when I log on I have absolute full reign over everything, and any limitations only apply to other users? I know there's something somewhat similar on XP, but it's too much of a hassle by now consolidating all the accounts, and I'm phasing out a lot of stuff on this computer once I get another one anyway. I just want to know if this is an option on Vista, so I can set it so my username is read as if I'm Admin from the jump, so I'm done with it. Last edited by longbongsilver; 08-25-2008 at 11:11 AM.

08-25-2008, 11:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Deleted082808 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 25 OS: Vista	Re: Question about "admin" account... Of course. Just make when you set it up, make sure your account is Admin. But remember, you CAN change it after setting it up.

08-25-2008, 11:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Great State of New Jersey - away from the gross corruption of the Riverside County, CA, SO office. SHAMEFUL ! Posts: 10,125 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Question about "admin" account... Hi longbongsilver. . . Welcome to the Vista side of Windows! I'll ask about the duplicate user accounts at another time if I may, as I am curious and I do certainly remember your multi-page XP thread. In Vista, you must set up an administrator account when you first fire the system up for the first time. This admin account is #2 in the admin list. There is a Vista hidden admin account that can be activated and runs at an elevated administrator level - the #1 admin level. If you activate the hidden admin account, there will then be two user names in the system - one named "Administrator" and the other your user name. I do not recommend using the hidden admin as a regular user account, though, as you may find interference with system functions like Windows Updates. Are you planning to upgrade from XP? If so, your user accounts from XP will be transferred over to Vista. What are the system specs you are planning for Vista and which version of Vista are you looking at? Regards. . . jcgriff2 . __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread Glad to be home in the Great State of New Jersey ! ! Last edited by jcgriff2; 08-25-2008 at 11:37 AM.

08-25-2008, 01:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
longbongsilver Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 82 OS: Vista x64 Home premium SP1 My System	Re: Question about "admin" account... I actually plan on building a 2nd computer from scratch, then scaling back the duties of my current one. Current one is staying XP until it croaks. Here's a tentative parts list I was planning for the next one. I looked this up via NewEgg, except for the soundcard & speakers, which I'd have to get from a recording equipment shop: core 2 quad 2.4GHz processor Q965 motherboard MicroATX (currently have a spare one I plan on using) NZXT Apollo ATX case 4GB DDr2 ram (Patriot "viper" brand) Samsung DVD+-RW 20x SATA internal drive Western digital caviar SE 500GB SATA hard drive (2) Rosewill RX-358-S 3.5" SATA-USB Ext enclosure Hanns-G 19" LCD monitor Cooler Master ATX 650W power supply Apevia CF12SL-UBL 120mm LED case fan Echo Audiofire2 Firewire soundcard M-audio DX4 monitoring speakers Logitech optical mouse Logitech cordless keyboard Zotac PCI-e 7300GT 256MB Was thinking Vista home premium would work fine. BTW: I don't mean logging on as the hidden account, I just want my login to have the same rights. There's some music software that acts funny if not run with administrator rights. Last edited by longbongsilver; 08-25-2008 at 01:28 PM.

08-26-2008, 02:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Supp Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Great State of New Jersey - away from the gross corruption of the Riverside County, CA, SO office. SHAMEFUL ! Posts: 10,125 OS: Windows 7, Vista Ultimate My System	Re: Question about "admin" account... Hi LBS - I would check the hardware items listed against the Vista Hardware compatibility list (LOGO) - http://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/ You should not experience any difficulties with using the admin account set up at first login. Vista does have restrictions as to the placement of files, though. You cannot/should not place items in the \Program Files folder as Vista uses virtualization - you can make a change then go back into it and may not be there as your changes have been moved to the virtualization folder found within your user profile folders. You won't have any difficulty in installing programs or saving files in general and I suggest that if you are planning to move/copy files from your XP system such as music, pix, documents to do it directly as Vista uses \users in place of \documents and settings and the folders found under XPs \\documents folder are now found under the \users\username folder itself. I can certainly assist you with this and do not not recommend using any type of transfer program or to back-up your XP files using a 3rd party product. It is only asking for trouble. Regards. . . JC . __________________ . . . . . . . . BSOD Posting Instructions B Expecting a reply and waiting > 36 hours ? Send a PM to me containing a link to your thread Glad to be home in the Great State of New Jersey ! !