Library & Technology

Secure Your Windows Accounts

Windows XP and Vista are “secure” operating systems, in that they require a user to login to the computer. Windows grants privileges to users based on policies set by the administrator, and those privileges vary among the three main types of users: administrators, power users and restricted users. Because you, the computer owner, are likely designated an administrator, it is crucial that your account have a secure password. Otherwise your computer is at greater risk for attacks by hackers, viruses and worms. Please take the time now to set your password using the below instructions. As a convenience, you may choose to rename your Windows account to match your LawID account name.

Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista Business/Ultimate

When you first set up your computer, Windows asked you to set an administrator password. If you chose not to create a password by leaving the entries blank, set a password for the account now:

  1. In Windows XP Go to Start then select Run. In Windows Vista got to Start | Search | Run.
  2. In the window that appears type “mmc” (without the quotes) to run Microsoft Management Console.
  4. Go to File, Add/Remove Snap-in, Add . . ., select Local Users and Groups and then choose, Add, Finish, Close, OK.
  5. The Console Root Window appears.
  6. Click on the plus sign to expand Local Users and Groups.
  7. In the left pane, click on the folder called “Users” and the local users will appear in the right pane.
  9. Right-click on Administrator and choose Set password . . .
  10. If a warning pops up, select Proceed.
  11. Type in your desired password in the New password and Confirm password fields and select OK.
  12. Set a password on your named account following the same steps.

Windows XP Home and Windows Vista Home

You cannot use the Microsoft Management Console to set account passwords in the Home versions. Instead, follow these instructions:

  1. Start the computer in safe mode. Do this by holding down the F8 key as it boots.
  2. Select Safe mode from the menu.
  3. When the desktop has loaded, select Start | Control Panel.
  4. Select "User Accounts."
  5. Select the Administrator account and if "Create Password" is an option, select it and create a password.
  6. If "Change Password" is an option, then the account aleady has a password and you need not change it.
  7. Return to the list of user accounts, select your named account, and repeat steps 5 and 6.