Vista - Issue w/ Password for Administrator Account

Heyy,


I hope everyone is doing alright. I have a small issue with the Administrator account in Windows Vista Home Premium. I enabled the administrator account two months ago, and also assigned a password to it for extra security.

Four people, including myself use this computer, and one of the user's which is also an account with administrative privileges (not the administrator account), has achieved the ability to remove the Administrator Account Password, through User accounts in the Control Panel. Note: I do have user account control's (UAC) turned off, and I am about to try turning it on to see if that helps out.

Other than that, I am having an issue with a person removing my administrative account password. How to I stop this from happening completely?

It's highly important that I find a way to disable this feature because I have many files and documents that should not be given possession to other people. Please send your feedback. Every reply will be appreciated. Enjoy that day.

~ Michael ~

freebirdc0mp1exd wrote:
The only way to control this is to make *all* the other users Standard
Users. If you can't change the account type for the person who currently
has administrative privileges (and is removing the password), you'll need
to find another way of securing your files such as encryption. Please note
that personal/personnel issues are rarely solved by technical methods.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

Ok that's understandable. Are there other options in terms of password security? Like, is there a program that could add another screen, that would ask for a password for access? Liek, just how Vista asks for a password -- would there be a program that can ask for a second password before granting access to the account??

freebirdc0mp1exd wrote:
No. See general information below:

*****
Vista, like XP, Win2k, and NT before it does not use passwords to protect
resources. NT-based operating systems use permissions instead. Here is
information to help you with that (even though the links are for XP, the
concept is identical in Vista):

How to disable Simple Sharing and set permissions on a shared folder in
Windows XP (Pro only)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307874

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in Windows
XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308418

By default in XP Home, you can only make files and folders under My
Documents "private". Otherwise, to see the security tab in WinXP Home,
restart in Safe mode and log on with an account that has administrator
privileges. To get into Safe Mode, repeatedly tap the F8 key as the
computer is starting up. This will get you to the menu where you can choose
Safe Mode.

Note that the file system must be NTFS, not FAT32.

Passwording of folders is not supported unless you zip them. When you do
(right click a folder, then "send to > compressed folder") and then open the
zip file, you will find an option under file>"add a password". Otherwise,
use third-party software. Google "password protect folders".
*****

Again, if you use permission-based restrictions and have anyone else with
administrative privileges, they can rescind everything you've done. You
need to rethink what you're doing and only you can do that.

Good luck,

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!