Limited User Accounts

© 2019 Eric Skagerberg (All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced in printed or electronic format without the express permission of the author.)
Adjunct Instructor, Computer Studies Department
Santa Rosa Junior College, California

Page last updated 29 April, 2011

· Virus Protection main page

· Security main page

Limited User Accounts in Windows XP (PC Magazine)
- Logging in with just enough access to do your work, but no more
- Limits the ability of viruses and parasites to get a foothold
- UNIX systems, such as Mac OS X and Linux, use limited accounts for normal daily usage
- Limited accounts in Windows (Microsoft)
- Use Limited Accounts to Better Secure Your Windows XP Computer (About.com)
- Drawbacks:
  - Old programs not "Designed for Windows XP" may not work, or may require technical adjustments
  - You have to switch to an Administrator account to add or remove programs, or to install updates
  - Automatic Microsoft updates don't display for limited accounts; you have to switch to an Administrator
Limited User Account Practice

Windows 7 & Vista User Account Control (UAC)
- Automatically runs programs with limited priviliges
- For best protection, do not turn UAC off
- Get programs updated for Vista that cooperate with UAC
- Microsoft:
  - What is User Account Control?
  - User Account Control Overview
"Run as"
- Allows you to run a program with Administrator (or another account's) privileges
- Drawback: the program will store any personal settings in the other account

· Virus Protection main page