Using a Standard/Limited User Account

Using a Standard User Account makes it more difficult for the computer to be infected. You should use a Standard User Account for every day activities even if you are the sole user of the computer.

Creating a Standard User Account (Limited User in Windows XP) must be done from the Administrator account. After the account is created, log off the Administrator account and log on to the Standard User Account.

Windows 8

Windows 8 has two options for user accounts, a local account or a Microsoft Account.

1. With a mouse, the easiest way is to go to the Windows 8 Start Screen and type Add User. From the search results, click Settings. (With a touch screen, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings.)
2. Tap or click Change PC Settings.
3. Tap or click Users.
4. Tap or click Add a user.
5. To create a Local Account:
   • Tap or click Sign in without a Microsoft account.
   • Enter a user name for the new account.To include a password, enter and verify the password, add a password hint.
6. To create a Microsoft Account:
   • Enter the Microsoft account (email) address.
   • If a Microsoft account does not exist, to create a new one, enter the e-mail address to be associated with the account, generally the address used most frequently.
7. Tap or click Next.
8. Tap or click Finish.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

1. Click the Start button
2. Click Control Panel
3. Under User Accounts and Family Safety, click Add or remove user accounts
4. Click Create a new account
5. Create a name for the new account
6. Select Standard user
7. Click Create Account button

Windows XP

1. Click Start > Control Panel > User Accounts
2. Click Create a new account
3. Create a name for the new account
4. Under "Pick an account type", select Limited
5. Click Create Account

Changing to the Administrator Account

When you need to install Microsoft Security Updates, a new software program, or perform administrative functions such as creating a new account, you will need to be using the Administrator Account.

To switch to the Administrator account, do the following:

Windows 8:

Using the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keyboard combination and then clicking on Switch User is the fastest method.


Windows and Windows Vista:

To use Fast User Switching (FUS), click the Start button, point to the arrow next to the Shut down button, and then click Switch user.



(Note: Fast User Switching is not available on Windows 7 Starter.)


Windows XP:

Click on the Start Button to open the Start Menu. Click the Log Off button and then click on the Switch User button.