If you share your computer with others or use your PC in a network or homegroup, user accounts are indispensable. User accounts allow you to customize data, settings, and programs on a per-user basis. In this way you give everyone their own, protected working environment and you retain more control over how Windows is used. For example, based on user accounts, you can determine when the computer can be used and whether shared folders are accessible. In this workshop we create user accounts, set them up and optimally set up access to the homegroup.
1. Create User Accounts
When installing Windows 7, one user account is created by default. Make sure each user has their own account. Open the menu Start and choose Control Panel. click on User Accounts and Parental Controls and choose Add or remove user accounts. An overview of existing accounts appears. Choose Create a new account, choose a suitable name and select as account type Standard user. click on create Account. The account is added and is ready to use.
2. Standard User
In the previous step, you read about choosing an account type. Windows 7 distinguishes between two types of accounts: Standard User and Administrator. For security reasons, you should always choose the default user. This account has fewer rights than an administrator, but gives users sufficient freedom in adjusting settings and using software. If you make everyone an administrator, you run an unnecessary security risk. Malicious programs can abuse administrator rights to cause harm.
3. Image
Each user account has its own image. You select this when creating the account. You can choose your own image by clicking the option Search for more images. If you are not satisfied with the default images, you can also replace them with your own image set. Open the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\Default Pictures and fill this folder with your own pictures. Make sure they are bmp images with a size of 128 by 128 pixels.
Delete user account
Delete user accounts that you no longer use. In the Control Panel, choose User Accounts and Parental Controls / Add or remove user accounts. Choose Manage another account, click on the account you want to delete and choose Remove Account. You now have the option to place a number of files (including the contents of the Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop folders) in an archive folder on the desktop. Then click Save files or on Delete files if you no longer need the files.
4. Password Rules
Per user you can determine how strict Windows is with passwords. You use the component Local users and groups. Press the key combination Windows key+R and type lusrmgr.msc. click on OK. In the left part of the window click on Users. Then double click on the user for whom you want to change the rights. Don't want the password to be changed? Place a checkmark User cannot change password. In addition, you can temporarily make the account inaccessible, choose Account is disabled.
5. Change account type
You may have created user accounts in the past and also gave certain users administrator rights. If you reconsider this decision, you can change the rights of these users. In the user account control, choose Manage another account and select the account. Choose Change the account type. Windows shows which type is assigned to the account (for example, Administrator). Choose Standard user, finally click the button Change account type.
