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How to add a 'Power User' account in Win XP Pro?

6K views 4 replies 2 participants last post by  bbearren  
#1 ·
We just upgraded from XP Home (which came on the PC) to XP Pro, just so that we could have a 'Power User' account for one of our people. (The Microsoft support site says this is one of the differences between the two versions, and so do other support sites.)

But now that we shelled out the bucks, I can't find any way to get a 'Power User' account set up. Can anybody explain how to do it in Windows XP Pro? Thanks.
 
#2 ·
Located in Administrative Tools > Computer Management (Local)> System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Groups.

You have to be logged on as a member of the Administrators Group, then you can add an existing User to a Group.

There's some pretty good guidance available in Help and Support.
 
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#3 ·
No, that doesn't work. (It does work in 2000 Pro, but not XP Pro.)

Even if you add a group called Power Users and add a User to the group, the system still doesn't recognize that user's status. The user still can't change the date/time, install a program, etc. etc. Control panel--->Users will list the user as an "unidentified" type. And the user will not actually have any of the PowerUser priviledges, just the Restricted User abilities.

That's why I posted.

---J.

P.S. -- I am wondering if I have to modify the domain somewhere???
 
#4 ·
JayWalsh said:
No, that doesn't work. (It does work in 2000 Pro, but not XP Pro.)

Even if you add a group called Power Users and add a User to the group, the system still doesn't recognize that user's status. The user still can't change the date/time, install a program, etc. etc. Control panel--->Users will list the user as an "unidentified" type. And the user will not actually have any of the PowerUser priviledges, just the Restricted User abilities.
Sorry, but it does indeed work. I'm replying to you from a Power User account (which shows up as "Unknown account type" in Control Panel > Users. I can change the time, I can install many applications, I can do all the things that a Power User can do.

One doesn't add a group called Power Users. The Power Users Group is built-in, with all the permissions, etc. pre-configured.

From the Help files:

Groups overview
Groups displays all built-in groups as well as groups you create. The built-in groups are created automatically when you install Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Belonging to a group gives a user rights and abilities to perform various tasks on the computer.

Administrators

Members of the Administrators group have the largest amount of default permissions and the ability to change their own permissions.

Backup Operators

Members of the Backup Operators group can back up and restore files on the computer, regardless of any permissions that protect those files. They can also log on to and shut down the computer, but they cannot change security settings.

Power Users

Members of the Power Users group can create user accounts, but can modify and delete only those accounts they create. They can create local groups and remove users from local groups they have created. They can also remove users from the Power Users, Users, and Guests groups.

They cannot modify the Administrators or Backup Operators groups, nor can they take ownership of files, back up or restore directories, load or unload device drivers, or manage the security and auditing logs.

Users

Members of the Users group can perform most common tasks, such as running applications, using local and network printers, and shutting down and locking the workstation. Users can create local groups, but can modify only the local groups that they created. Users cannot share directories or create local printers.

Guests

The Guests group allows occasional or one-time users to log on to a workstation's built-in Guest account and be granted limited abilities. Members of the Guests group can also shut down the system on a workstation.

Replicator

The Replicator group supports directory replication functions. The only member of the Replicator group should be a domain user account used to log on the Replicator services of the domain controller. Do not add the user accounts of actual users to this group.
 
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#5 ·
To add a User to the Power Users Group, go to Computer Management (Local) > System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Groups.

Right-click Power Users and select "Add to Group". A Power Users Properties sheet will popup. Click the "Add" button on the bottom left; A "Select Users" dialogue box will popup. In the text field, type in the User Name and click OK.
 
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