Local User Management in Windows XP/2000
Local Users on Windows XP/2000
A local user custom configuration allows a computer to log on locally. Whenever you install a Windows operating system (OS), a specific configuration is installed to allow a person to log on. During the installation process, credentials for the computer administrator are created. This user will be the first one to log on to the computer and will have all privileges on the system. This administrator account is always generated on these operating systems. It cannot be deleted, although it can be customized.
This user manages other users and groups, including creating, deleting, or modifying them. Note the following default users:
- Administrator: Has full control over the local computer and can create, modify, and delete configurations.
- Guest: Can log in to use the system. Cannot install software or hardware, or create, modify, or delete configurations of any kind. Also cannot manage users or groups.
Creating Local Users
The Administrator, and any user created by the administrator with appropriate privileges, can register local users.
Parameters for User Creation
- User-name: May not exceed 20 characters.
- Name: Identifies the user within the team.
- Description: User ID.
- Password: Not mandatory, but recommended.
- Confirm Password: Retype the password.
- Password options:
- User must change password at next logon.
- User cannot change password (to activate, you must deactivate the previous option).
- Password never expires (can be chosen with either of the previous two options).
- Account disabled: Used to keep user data without allowing them to log in, in case you want to use the account again.
Local User Profile
The system creates a personal configuration when a user logs on for the first time. Within the root directory of the system installation, a folder called Documents and Settings contains several subfolders that reference the new user and administrator.
Each of these folders contains all login options customized for each user.
Users cannot delete anything in the Documents and Settings folders of other users; this operation can only be done by the administrator or a user with that privilege.
Within the Documents and Settings folder, a folder called Default User stores the default profile for any new user. This folder should not be deleted, as it may prevent new users from logging on locally.
The All Users folder contains program information, desktop, and control panel settings.
Modification of Local Users
On the General tab, you can modify all identification and password options, except the Login and Password itself. On the Member Of tab, you can indicate which group the user belongs to. The Profile tab presents several options:
- Profile path: Defines the path to the user profile.
- Logon scripts: Batch files.
- Local path: Specifies the user directory used to store personal files.
- Connect: Allows you to connect to a network drive.