Creating a Standard User Account on Windows 10

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[Ratters1960]

Firstly my apologies if this has already been asked for Windows 10. I did a search and nothing came up except for Windows 7. But if this topic has already been covered for Winodws 10 then please feel free to point me in the right direction.
OS: Windows 10 Pro version 1909. Fresh install.

Couple of points to note. a – Except for Custom Office Templates and Outlook Files there are no other folders/files on my laptop. b- I am the only user of this laptop.

I have always used an Adminstrator account, something I have never been entirely happy with and would now like to have a Standard User account.  I can see how to set up another user account by entering Settings>Accounts>Family & Other Users>Other Users.
My plan is to add another user account and have this as my Adminstrator Acccount, then having checked and double checked that it has full admin rights go back to my existing account and turn this in to a Standard User account for my every day tasks. Is this process ok?

Asssuming that the above process is ok. I have some questions

1 – I have installed a number of programs – Printer, Anti-virus, PDF, MS Office 2013 inc MS Outlook, Web browser (Firefox) plus 3 from Lenovo (System Update, Service Bridge & Active Protection System).  Will these programs still be accessible and useable when I convert my current Admin account to a Standard Account or will I need to re-install them?

2 – MS Office 2013 is C2R. Will it still update even though it would now be under a Standard Account?

3 – MS Outlook has 3 email accounts (POP3). Am I correct in assuming that it will still link to the Outlook Files folder in Documents? I assume it still will since I am making the new account an Admin Account rather than a Standard Account and thus no need to move any files or folders.

4 – In addition to the three POP3 email accounts, an MS Exchange (ost) email account will be added by a company I do work for and whose email address I use. Will the person logging in to my system to set this up need to have access to my Admin Account or can he do it while I’m logged in to my Standard Account? I assume since it is only adding an email address that it can be done while I’m logged in to my Standard Account but just want to be sure. I will need to install a small program for him to do this. I think it’s called “something Viewer” can’t remember the exact name

5 – When installing new programs should I do it via the Administrators Account or just by using Run as Administrator under the Standard Account?

6 – When looking round Windows 10 I noticed an Adminstrator Account (currently disabled), obviously put there by Windows when installed and under the following location Computer Management(Local)>Local Users and Groups> Users. Instead of creating an Adminstrator Account should I enable this built in Adminstrator Account and use that as my Admin Account or am I better off creating the Administrator Account and only enabling that built in Adminstrator Account (possibly accessing it via Safe Mode) if all hell breaks loose on my laptop?

Thanks for any help or advice and again apologies if this has already been covered but could only find anything about this subject for Windows 7.

• This topic was modified 5 years, 3 months ago by Ratters1960.

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I would just keep your existing account as the Administrator account, and create a new Standard account, then just start using that for day-to-day business.  You can copy templates/documents from your existing account (while you are logged on to it) to your new Standard account.  I have mostly used Standard accounts for years, since XP, and rarely need to log on to my Administrator account.

There is not a log of good info out about using Standard accounts.  MS OneDrive often gives me error exclamation points when I am logged on as Standard, but I can still get at my files.  Here are my reactions to some of your Qs based only on my own experience.  I am not an expert.

1.  Most programs you have already installed in your existing (Administrator) account will still be accessible from your new Standard account.
2. My Office updates fine by itself, even though I rarely log in to my Administrator account.
3. I would copy Outlook files to the Standard account.  You would have to log on to your accounts again from Outlook in this new account, but only the first time.
4. Logging in to a new email account from Outlook does not require Admin privileges.
5. Every once in a while I have had trouble installing new programs using “Run as Administrator.”  I don’t know why.  Usually on the rare occasions when I need to install a new program, I log on as Admin and do it from there.
6. Don’t know.

Good luck.  G

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Ratters1960

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When setting up a new machine I make every account an administrator until it’s tweaked and setup as I like. Then I go back and drop them to standard users – except for the 1 admin account. Reason being, I have noticed that many settings don’t “stick” when setup in standard user account even when done with prompts to run as admin.

I wouldn’t enable the built-in admin account.

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Ratters1960

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First run sfc /scannow.  If it should encounter errors that it can’t fix, run dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth.  You want your system to be in good health before you make changes. Next make a fresh drive image, which I always advise before making system changes.

I suggest while logged into your existing Administrator account you go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\User Accounts\Manage Accounts and create another password protected account in the Administrators group.  Mine is named Admin just for simplicity.

Once that account is successfully created, logout and then login to the new Admin account.  From that account, go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\User Accounts\Manage Accounts and change the account type of the account you have been using regularly to a Standard User.

Everything is already in place as you expect it, and all you have done is reduce the access level of your account; no other changes need be made.  The new Admin account will be just as capable for doing all those things that require Administrator level privileges just by logging into it.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Ratters1960

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Ratters1960 wrote:

I have always used an Adminstrator account, something I have never been entirely happy with and would now like to have a Standard User account.

I am ready to be corrected, but AIUI, the only difference between an admin-level acct (one in the administrators group) and a standard acct is that when a UAC prompt appears, a std user has to enter the credentials of an admin acct, whereas the admin user just has to click OK.  If this is so, then I see no real difference provided one trusts one’s own judgement.

That is quite separate, of course, from using ‘the’ administrator acct (not very helpful naming on MS’ part), where (again, AIUI) no UAC will occur.  An additional problem I have discovered is that if one performs actions under ‘the’ adminstrator acct, then any files/folders created belong to that acct, and can be hard (for ordinary users, admin or std) to manipulate.

Based on my understanding, I use an admin acct (with UAC enabled) – with a spare one for emergencies.

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[Ratters1960]

It’s taken me sometime to get back to this but thought it worth updating for anybody else wishing to do the same in future. So following the advice given above here’s what I did.

Ran sfc /scannow. In my case all was good so did not need to run dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

After running sfc /scannow and gettitng back to the desktop I then went to All Settings and clicked on Accounts
Click on Family & other users
Click on Add someone else to this PC
Because I wanted to make the new account “Local” I clicked on ” I don’t have this person’s sign-in information”
On the next screen click “Add a user without a Microsoft account”
On the next screen fill out the appropriate fields. In my case because this was going to be the administrator account the username was called Admin.
Click “next” and follow the rest of the set-up, making sure you give this account administrator privileges

Once the “Admin” account was set-up, personalised and checked to be working properly I went back to All Settings / Accounts / Family & other users
Under “Other users” I clicked on the account I wished to make “Standard” and chose “Change account type
Clicked on “Standard User” and clicked ok.
I now had an Adminstrator and Standard user account and all is working well.

I hope this helps anybody in the future who needs to do the same and thank you to everyone above for your help and advice.

• This reply was modified 5 years ago by Ratters1960.

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Elly

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