Removing the password set on the enter Computer Name & Administrator Password Screen

[need2know]

Just purchased a dell system and compleated the set up process. I am concerned though. On the enter computer name and administrator password screen i entered a password. I thought it would have been the password i woud use to log in but it doesnt have a log in screen.

What is the password for???

Can i remove it?

Also when i right click on my computer and select properties and it takes me to the system properties screen and when i click on the advanced tab and select user profiles i see my name as a profile as well as a Administrator profile

Why is that? Am i not the administrator? so why 2 profiles

[Lumpy]

The password you entered is for the "administrator" account. Your account name that you created, should be a computer administrator as well. If your unsure, you can go to the control panel and click 'users' and it will list the user accounts and their permissions there. I don't know MS logic behind this, but my opinion and experience tells me it is done for security reasons. If something is to go wrong with the computer it is good to have a clean local admin account to use to clean up or fix the computer. So you really don't want to remove it.

[bartonc]

Just purchased a dell system and compleated the set up process. I am concerned though. On the enter computer name and administrator password screen i entered a password. I thought it would have been the password i woud use to log in but it doesnt have a log in screen.

What is the password for???

Can i remove it?

Also when i right click on my computer and select properties and it takes me to the system properties screen and when i click on the advanced tab and select user profiles i see my name as a profile as well as a Administrator profile

Why is that? Am i not the administrator? so why 2 profiles

As mentioned above, the first is the administrator account. That is, the user name is "administrator" and uses the password given on the installation screen. It is there, mainly, in case of emergency. If your account is ever damaged or looses admin rights by accident, you will be very thankful, indeed, that it exists. In fact, security recommendations from Microsoft say that you should limit your full time account in case of malicious attack. But I have also read that doing so does not prevent an attacker from gaining admin rights on your machine. The account should retain the password that you gave it (which reminds me, I should try to log into that account on my machine to make sure that I know the password). By the way, I do not limit my full-time account. I rely on my router as a physical firewall between me and the mean-and-nasties on the internet. For software firewall, I find the stock Windows Firewall sufficient.

Hope that helps,
Barton

[need2know]

As mentioned above, the first is the administrator account. That is, the user name is "administrator" and uses the password given on the installation screen. It is there, mainly, in case of emergency. If your account is ever damaged or looses admin rights by accident, you will be very thankful, indeed, that it exists. In fact, security recommendations from Microsoft say that you should limit your full time account in case of malicious attack. But I have also read that doing so does not prevent an attacker from gaining admin rights on your machine. The account should retain the password that you gave it (which reminds me, I should try to log into that account on my machine to make sure that I know the password). By the way, I do not limit my full-time account. I rely on my router as a physical firewall between me and the mean-and-nasties on the internet. For software firewall, I find the stock Windows Firewall sufficient.

Hope that helps,
Barton

The information was very helpful, but how would i access that adimistrator a/c in an emergency if it is not there as an available login?

I only see it when i right click on My Computer select properties, then i go to the advance tab then select user profiles. It is not listed when i go to Control Panel and select User A/c's just my name profile and an option to activate a guest.


Thanks
Need2know

[Lumpy]

What version of windows is it?

[bartonc]

The information was very helpful, but how would i access that adimistrator a/c in an emergency if it is not there as an available login?

I only see it when i right click on My Computer select properties, then i go to the advance tab then select user profiles. It is not listed when i go to Control Panel and select User A/c's just my name profile and an option to activate a guest.


Thanks
Need2know

If you are on XP Pro, then there is a login that lets you type the user name and I can guide you through that change. Vista will be up to other experts to answer. On Home Edition there is always "Safe Mode" boot. To get there, hold down F8 while the system is coming up.

[need2know]

What version of windows is it?

I am using Windows XP Pro, with SP2

[need2know]

If you are on XP Pro, then there is a login that lets you type the user name and I can guide you through that change. Vista will be up to other experts to answer. On Home Edition there is always "Safe Mode" boot. To get there, hold down F8 while the system is coming up.

Sure i wolud appreciate the help. No it's not Vista. The system is running XP Pro SP2.

Thanx

[bartonc]

Sure i wolud appreciate the help. No it's not Vista. The system is running XP Pro SP2.

Thanx

Great!

In the Control Panel, open User Accounts. Click -> Change the way users log on or off. On that screen, uncheck both Use Fast User Switching and Use the Welcome screen.

That will bring up the "Pro" (I feel it gives the professional touch). login which will probably default to "administrator", but will remember the most recent login and get your password.

[need2know]

Great!

In the Control Panel, open User Accounts. Click -> Change the way users log on or off. On that screen, uncheck both Use Fast User Switching and Use the Welcome screen.

That will bring up the "Pro" (I feel it gives the professional touch). login which will probably default to "administrator", but will remember the most recent login and get your password.

THANK YOU!

I understand, everything is all set now. You really know your stuff.

[bartonc]

THANK YOU!

I understand, everything is all set now.

You are quite welcome.

You really know your stuff.

aaaaw, shucks...:)

[need2know]

You are quite welcome.

aaaaw, shucks...:)

Keep up the good work.