(applies to your personal, Windows XP Pro/Home computer or laptop)
All Windows XP computers contain user profiles. Unfortunately, most home users do not make use of the ability to secure their login or create separate user accounts for their systems.
When you first start your new computer, you will be asked to enter a username. If you had someone set the computer up for you, you may not even notice the individual username. Unfortunately, for a lot of folks with XP Home, they are not even aware of the user account named "Administrator" which exists in addition to the profile that you use to log into. This is dangerous, as the Administrator account profile is set without a password by default.
Below, we have provided instructions for passwording your user accounts. You will find instructions for both Windows XP Home user as well as Pro. You can check which version you have by right clicking on "My Computer" (in the Windows Start menu or on the desktop) and choosing "Properties."
How to secure your Windows XP user accounts
For Windows XP Home users
To add passwords to the general user accounts:
1. |
Go to Start --> Control Panel --> User Accounts (you may also get to the Control Panel by clicking on "My Computer") |
2. |
Edit each user account by giving it a unique login name, and make sure to set a password. |
3. |
You may also set different user account levels for those using the computer. For example, you may want to be an "Administrator," while your children can be set to "users." |
4. |
You will want to turn the "Guest" account OFF. |
To password the Administrator account (you will need to log into safe mode for this):
1. |
Restart the computer. |
2. |
As it is booting the BIOS (the screen that before Windows appears, when you immediately turn the computer on), start to press the F8 key slowly in 2 second intervals. |
3. |
When you see the "Safe Mode" option, log into that. |
4. |
Choose the Administrator account. |
| 5. |
Go into Start --> Control Panel --> User Accounts. |
| 6. |
Set a password on the Administrator account. |
For Windows XP Pro users
1. |
Right click on "My Computer" (either on desktop, or in the start menu). |
2. |
Choose "Manage." |
3. |
Choose "Local Users and Groups." |
4. |
Click on "Users." |
| 5. |
Right-click on the individual user accounts and choose "Set Password" to set or change a password. |
| 6. |
Turn the guest account off. |
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