Administrator or User mode under XP

Installtion of Windows operating system, will automatically create an Administrator account and note that during installtion there are no explanations provided allowing you to differenciate between this type account and a user account.
Most people believe that its easier to use only this account and open your Window session.

The importance of opening a session in user mode

Nowadays unless you disable the network connection, your PC is connected to the net. A virus, Trojan horse or any misuse can allow undesired access to your PC and that despite of all the protection.

If someone access your PC ,under administrator mode, he will have full control over your machine, whereas under user mode, he will have a restrictred access, limiting the consequences.

For example,you can open a session in administrator mode when you need to install new software or make modifications on the system.

Switching User

• Start Menu> Log off,
• Click Switch User.
• Click on the desired account.
• You can go back on the previous account at any time and note that your previus work will be resumed.

Using the administrator mode

If create a user account on Windows XP Professional is easy, this is not the case with XP Home Family.
Simple File Sharing is the only mode available in XP Home.
The advanced file sharing with XP Home is impossible to perform.

So if you've always worked in administor mode and recently decided to create a user account, you'll face the following situation:
In your user account, you must manually re-configure your options ( Firefox Bookmarks, Internet Explorer Favorites, options and software programs ...).

A good solution is to install a program that lets you surf on the net safely with the administrator account.

• Download on DropMyRights from http://www.mybookmarks.com/
• Install it at the root of your system disk in a folder DropMyRights.

Create a shortcut on your desktop and select DropMyRights.exe as target application.

• Example: C:\DropMyRights\DropMyRights.exe "c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
• Rename it to Firefox (non-admin) and repeat the same operation for Internet Explorer.
• Let the N value installed by default.

Now you should be able to surf on the internet safely.