Windows® 7 All-in-One for Dummies®

Chapter II.2. Controlling Users

In This Chapter

• Logging on

• Controlling the User Account Control

• Adding users

• Preventing specific users from changing the computer

• The (in)security of it all

Microsoft reports that 70 percent of all Windows PCs have just one user account. That's a startling figure. It means that 70 percent of all Windows PCs run at the most permissive security level, all the time. It means that, on 70 percent of all Windows PCs, little Billy can install Internet Antivirus 2009 — a notorious piece of scumware — and have it bring down the whole family with a couple of simple clicks. "Sorry, Dad, but it's an antivirus program and it said that we really need to install it, and it's just $49.95 for a three-month subscription. I thought you said that antivirus was good. They wouldn't lie about stuff like that, would they?"

Note

Although it's undoubtedly true that many PCs are used by just one person, I think it's highly likely that people don't set up multiple user accounts on their PCs because they're intimidated. Not to worry. I take you through the ins and outs.

This chapter explains how to take control of users on a Windows 7 PC. You'd think it would be simple. No way. Like it or not, user control has all sorts of implications for security and sharing and other issues you get to manage on your PC.

Even if you're the only person who ever uses your PC, you might want to create a second account — another user, as it were — even if the second user is just you. (As Pogo said, "We have ...