Add a User Account to a Computer
Administator Accounts, Guest Access and Password Setup in Windows XP
Use the Windows XP User Accounts tool to add and manage user accounts on your shared desktop.
Are you tired of logging into you computer and seeing the more and more icons on your desktop; the evidence of your kids’ last online journey? Or, do you have buddies who like to borrow your internet connection for one quick check online that you’d rather not have snooping through your files? If you don't want the expense involved with home network setup, you can still put an end to the overcrowded desktop and grant your buddies a worry free internet session by adding users to your pc.
Adding users to your computer will allow your computer to serve as a shared workstation. Each user you create will have separated log in information, access permissions set by you, individual desktops, and my document folders. Windows XP allows you to use the User Accounts feature to set up and store personalized settings for different users. This means that each user can customize their desktop, file permissions, and other settings without affecting any other user’s account. You can even set up a guest account that can access the Internet and other programs but not any of your secured files.
User Account Types
The guest user account type is one of four user types provided by Windows XP. It is important when creating accounts that you consider which user type the account need to be. The four types are computer administrator, standard, limited and guest. The computer administrator account was created when Windows XP was installed on your computer. This user type has permissions to change all computer settings and modify other user accounts. The standard user type allows the user to install and remove programs and make modifications to their individual user account. If you are using Windows XP Home edition you will not have the standard user type. The limited user type does not allow the use to make any changed to computer settings. The limited user can only modify their individual account. The guest user type allows any visitors to access the same guest account so you do not need to set up user accounts for each visitor or give out another user’s information. As you prepare new accounts consider what permissions the user may need and assign the appropriate user type to that account.
Creating new accounts:
To add a new account to your computer you will need to open the User Accounts tool which can be found in the Control Panel in the Start menu. Once the User Accounts window is open choose “Create a new account” under the “Pick a task…” heading. On the “Name the new account” page type a new name for the account and then click “Next”. Choose the user type for the new account and click the appropriate option button. Click “Create Account” to finish adding the user. Now, you can use the “change an account” link to create a password for the user.
Creating passwords:
Protecting a user account with a password prevents any user other than the administrator from accessing the user’s account. A shared workstation will display a welcome screen rather than the desktop after booting up. User accounts will listed on this screen. Without password protection any user can access another’s account simply by clicking on the user account name. Creating a password will require that the user enter a password in order to access their account.
To create a password choose “Change an account” under the “Pick a task…” heading. Select the account to modify. Type a new password in both fields and then enter a password hint. Click “Create Password” to assign the password information to the account.
Switching between accounts:
Once multiple accounts have been created on your computer, you can switch easily between them by using the “Switch User’ or “Log Off” buttons. There is no need to shut down, restart or turn off the computer. Simply choose “Log Off” from the start menu to return to the welcome screen or “Switch User” to log in under another account.
