Problems creating a limited user account on Windows XP MCE!

[GSDog]

Hi all.

I am having problems creating a limited user account on my parents PC.

They are currently using an administrator account even though they just do browsing and emails, so there is absolutely no point. They also often recieve emails infected with malware, so it would be a nice bit of extra protection.

I went into User accounts, created a new administrator account, then tried to change their current account to a limited user, but the option is not there... I can't seem to change their main account to a limited user, despite there being two administrator accounts...

Does anyone know why this is happening? I don't see the option "Change account type" anywhere... I just see "Change my password" and "change my picture"...

They are using Windows XP Media center edition.

 

[leezer3]

Probably a stupid question, but are you logged in using the new user?
You can't change the type of the current account

-Leezer-

 

[GSDog]

Yes. After creating the new Administrator account, I log off, then log on to the new Admin account, but it still will not let me change the other account to a limited user. The option is just not there.
I can't even change the account name or anything...

 

[marc2003]

i'm guessing they were using the default admin account. you can't change that. you'll need to create a new limited user account.

 

[GSDog]

When I try to create a user limited account the option is greyed out. It only allows me to create one if I first create a second admin account, then I can create a limited user.

The problem is, I would like to keep all their settings, programs, wallpapers, etc when switching them to a limited user. Is this not possible?
I have tried copying their user profile from the main admin account but the "copy to" option is greyed out.

 

[leezer3]

I'd assume that is because Windows tries to hide the default admin account by default, and so you're expected to create your own admin account and the limited user?

At a guess, this is also the root of the problems in copying the data from the current account- The default administrator account (IIRC) was never really designed to be used on a daily basis.

-Leezer-

 

[GSDog]

Thanks. I am/was not familar with user accounts in XP so I got completely confused. You just confirmed what I thought.
I have a lot of junk on my PC so I need to format and reinstall Windows, so I can set it all up correctly after the reinstalliation.

Thanks again.

P.S) Merry christmas!