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General discussion

windows password

Dec 20, 2004 5:33AM PST

Windows XPp; I feel I bit sorry asking such a noobie question: Im the sole user of this PC and since Im going away for few weeks, I'd like to set a password to be asked everytime the PC is powered on; I mean not just for files & folders, but ideally even before the desktop is loaded or can be accessed, that is. Is this possible without going into the SetUp and making changes to the BIOS?

I'm not sharing the PC with no one else, but in My Computer I also have a "All User" folder beside "my name folder" - if it's relevant.

Thanks in advance

Discussion is locked

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Set Ctrl-Alt-Delete At Start Up
Dec 20, 2004 6:32AM PST

First, if you don't already have a password set, do so now. Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to get the "Task Manager", then click on the "Change Password" button and create a password. Make sure the username has administrative priviledges and DON'T forget the password.

Now...In Windows XP PRO, simply create the requirement to press "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" at start up.. Do it this way..Click on Start-Control Panel, then double click on the "User Accounts' icon. When that loads, click on the "Advanced" tab, then "Secure Log On" section, place a CHECK Mark in the box next to "Require Users to press Ctrl-Alt-Delete". Click on "Apply", then OK, etc.

Restart the computer and you should get a dialogue box which requests you to press "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" and after which, you will see the standard log on window where you will type your username and password.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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my Windows is different
Dec 20, 2004 7:51AM PST

[quote]
First, if you don't already have a password set, do so now. Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to get the "Task
Manager", then click on the "Change Password" button and create a password. Make sure the username has administrative priviledges and DON'T forget the password.
[/quote]
HI:
Im not to shure I understand what you mean ->
I checked every options in the menu bar and tabs
of "Task Mamager" but can't find any "Change
Password" buttons on mine.

[quote]
>Now...In Windows XP PRO, simply create the >requirement to press "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" at start up..
[/quote]
-again Im not sure when you say "at start up" if you
mean when the system is loading up or...

[quote]
Do it this way..Click on Start-Control Panel, then double click on the "User Accounts' icon. When that loads, click on the "Advanced" tab, then "Secure Log On" section, place a CHECK Mark in the box next to "Require Users to press Ctrl-Alt-Delete". Click on "Apply", then OK, etc
[/quote]
-till a reach "User Accounts" is good, then the
scenario changes; there not tabs but links:

PICK A TASK...
-> Change an account
-> Create a new account
-> Chage the way users log on or off

OR PICK AN ACCOUNT TO CHANGE
*my name*(adminstrator) ____________*guest*


I clicked on the "Chage the way users log on or off" link and a dialog box appears saying: "Fast User Switching cannot be used because Offline Files is currently enable. To make change to Offline Files settings, click OK". This may refer to the previos owner was on dial-up since Im on broadband cable.

what im doing wrong?

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Ok, You Don't Have Windows XP PRO !
Dec 20, 2004 9:46AM PST

IN your first post, you said you were using: "Windows XPp". I read that as Windows XP Pro...Instead, you are using Windows XP HOME..Is that correct?. They are two slightly different versions of the operating system and the settings are a little different.

Since you appear to be using Windows XP HOME, then you'll have to do things differently. First, IF you don't have a password...make sure that you create a password for your self..Open the Control Panel, then double click on "User Accounts", then click on the "Change an Account", then click on your user account icon, then click on "Create Password". Follow the prompts to create the password. DON'T forget it or your username.

After you've created a password and saved your changes, then close that window. Now open "User Accounts" again, click on "Change the way users log on or off", then UNCHECK the "Welcome Screen" option and UNCHECK the "Fast User Switching" for now. Click on the "Apply Options" button. Close the window by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.

Now, click on Start-choose "Run", then type CONTROL userpasswords2 and click on the OK button. When the next window loads, click on the 'Advanced" tab at the top, and in the "Secure Log In" section, place a CHECK mark in the "Require Users' to Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete". Click on "Apply", then OK.

Restart the computer. When it loads, you will need to press "Ctrl-Alt-Delete", then you will see a log in window, which you use to type in your user name and password.

No one else can access the machine without a username and password.

Hope this helps.

Grif