How to Set the Administrator Settings in Windows Vista Home Edition

Account pictures and security levels can be changed in Windows Vista.

Microsoft Windows Vista provides multiple permission levels for accounts, including Administrator, Standard and Guest. Guest accounts have the least amount of privileges on the computer to perform operations such as modifying files and installing applications. Administrators have full permissions on the computer. They can create, modify and delete files, install software, uninstall software and modify security settings that apply to any users on the computer. A standard user can perform the same basic functions as an Administrator, but is restricted to modifications affecting only his user account. To modify account settings on a computer not on a domain, you must have access to an administrative account.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows "Start" button.

2. Click "Control Panel."

3. Click "User Accounts and Family Safety."

4. Click on "User Accounts."

5. Click "Manage Another Account."

6. Enter the administrator password, if prompted. You will see this prompt if you are not already logged in under an administrative account. All Windows computers have at least one Administrator account.

7. Click on the account you want to change.

8. Click "Change the Account Type."

9. Click on the access level ("Administrator," "Standard" or "Guest") desired for this account.

10. Click "Change Account Type."

Tips & Warnings

• Computers on a domain have slightly different steps. Refer to "References" for instructions if your computer is on a domain.

• If your computer is managed by an administrative group, such as an IT department in a business environment, you may not have access to do this.

References

• Microsoft: Change a User's Account Type