VerificationEngine on Windows XP

Windows XP Home Edition has two types of accounts, Computer Administrator and Limited. A Computer Administrator account is equivalent to the Administrator account in other versions of Windows. All user accounts in Windows XP Home are Computer Administrator accounts by default. This includes all accounts created during the Windows XP Home install process.

Logging on to Windows XP Home Edition

When Windows XP Home starts up two different things might happen depending on how your user accounts are configured:

  1. If you only have one user account, Windows automatically logs on with this account (by default this account is a Computer Administrator). If you choose to assign a password to this account (recommended), you must enter a password for this user at the Windows log on screen (you are no longer automatically logged on).
  2. If you have multiple user accounts, Windows waits at the log on screen for you to select which user you wish use, and then waits for you to enter a password if necessary.

To log on to Windows XP Home with "Administrator" privileges, log in with any account that you created during the Windows install process, or any other Computer Administrator account. If you are unsure whether your account is a Computer Administrator or a Limited account, see the section "What type of account am I using?" below.

What type of account am I using?

To determine what type of account you are using follow these steps:

  1. Log on to Windows with the user account in question.
  2. Click Start > Control Panel.
  3. Double-click the User Accounts icon.

If you are a Computer Administrator, you can see icons for all of the accounts available on your computer (including a Guest account that is disabled by default). Beside each icon is the user name, and the phrase "Computer Administrator" or "Limited." If you are a Limited user, you can only see the icon for your account. Beside this icon is your user name, and the phrase "Limited account."

Technical Information:

More information on user accounts

Computer Administrators can:

  • create, change, or delete any user accounts
  • make system-wide changes
  • install any program and access all files

Limited users can:

  • change or remove their own password
  • change their log on picture, desktop theme, or any other desktop settings for only their account
  • view files that they created
  • view files in the shared documents folder
  • install some programs (some programs may need Computer Administrator privileges to install)
  • use any program designed for Windows 2000 or later (programs designed for Windows 95, 98, or Me may not work properly with limited accounts)

All users created during the Windows XP Home install process are Computer Administrators, and do not have a password associated with them. An "Administrator" account does exist, but is only visible on the log on screen when you are in Safe mode. If you try to log on as administrator in normal mode, then the following message appears: "Unable to log you on because of an account restriction." This built-in"Administrator" account is simply an account with Computer Administrator privileges that is called "Administrator." Functionally, it is no different than any other Computer Administrator account, and does not have a password by default.

To log on to Windows XP Home with the built-in "Administrator" account, start your computer in Safe mode, and click the "Administrator" icon at the Windows log on screen.

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