Password

[mike12]

My computer is running XP Pro. I never bothered setting up a password, because I did not want to type in the password every time I use my computer. We are getting guests this weekend and I do not want them to be able to use my computer, so I went in as Administrator and set up a password. I was then asked if I wanted to make my files private, and I said yes. Why was I asked that question ??? I thought by setting up a password no one would be able to get into the computer in the first place. I did reboot the computer, and did have to enter the password to get in. Please explain, can someone (an ordinary joe, not a computer wizard) get into the computer without knowing the password. Thank you.

[Confused]

Well if you like them, and have a degree of trust, you might set up a guest account for them in order for them to check their mail. With your files private they won't be able to browse them while logged on.

But it doesn't sound like you are going to let them use your PC anyway, so I would probably have just turn it off and removed the power cord rather than mess with passwords.
Chas

[TwoRails]

The password just keeps people off you computer. If more than one person is using the computer, then you can have a password for each, thus allowing them to their own, private section with their personallized color schemes and such.

As the admin, you can ultimatly control their stuff, but not the other way around, as you would normally NOT give others "admin" rights.

But, even with a password, they still have access to most of the computer thru Windows Explorer or the like. By making your files "private," this will lock them out from snooping, assuming you are using NTFS and not FAT32.

HTH

TwoRails

[bigandy]

If you should allow them to use the PC, guest account or some account just for them, they will not be able to view your personal documents, ie desktop, my documents, etc.. But they will be able to view things in the program files folder and the windows folder in the root C drive directory.

[imbest123]

Confused has a point. If you dont have any trust in your guests and they know something aboot cpmuters then they can still access your pc through safe mode. Just take the power cord out.

[bigandy]

Originally posted by mike12
an ordinary joe

Sure you don't have to be a computer mastermind to know about safe mode, but I would doubt, unless these people are fairly into computers, would think to try safe mode.

But if you are really worried that these people are going to try to access your data at all costs Mike, then take the power cord.

[andyms18a]

this may help if you ever forget your password http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321305&Product=winxp

al so check out the password reset disk its a good idea to make one

[mike12]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I used the term "guest" very loosely. They are my wife's guests, not mine. Setting up the password should work. They would not have nerve to ask me what the password is, so my mission is accomplished. If they need to access the internet, they can use my wife's computer.