Setting up Windows User Accounts to keep files private

Microsoft Windows Vista adds one extra security measure called User Account Control (UAC). This is the warning message that appears when certain changes are made to the computer, and it’s designed to give the user a chance to stop and think before making any major changes.

Cleverly, Vista also uses this feature to make it easier to install software. If you attempt to install a new program when using a standard non-Administrator account, UAC gives you the option to enter the Administrator’s password and install it. This means that it’s not necessary to log out and log in again as an administrator first.

Open an account
Hopefully, we have persuaded you that setting up Windows User Accounts is a good idea. If so, the next step is to create some accounts and add passwords to them. If using Windows XP, click on the Start Button and then on Control Panel.

If the text ‘Pick a category’ is not visible, click on ‘Switch to Category View’. Left-click on the User Accounts icon and then on ‘Create a new account’. Enter a name for the new account, then click on Next. Click in the radio button labelled ‘Limited’ to select this rather than Administrator.

Click on the Create Account button. The User Accounts window will reappear with the new account appearing in the bottom half.

To switch between users, click on the Start button and then on either Log off or Switch User. If you choose Switch User, the existing account will stay open, complete with all the programs that are running. This is handy if you’ll want to come back in a short time, but otherwise it wastes the computer’s memory so it’s generally best to choose Log off.

In Windows Vista, click on the Start button and then on Control Panel. Click on the text ‘Add or remove user accounts’ at the top right in the User Accounts and Family Safety section. Click on Continue when the User Account Control window appears.

Left-click on the Create a new account text underneath the box that lists the current users. This will probably have just one entry that will be described as an Administrator. Type the name for this account, make sure that the top option, Standard user, is selected and then click on the Create Account button. The Manage Accounts window will appear again with the new account in place.