Add the Built-in Administrator Account to the Login Screen
The built-in Administrator account is
intentionally hidden to discourage users who don’t have sufficient
knowledge to understand the risks involved in using such an account.
Typically, the only way to get to it is by starting the computer in
Safe Mode. If you’re an advanced user and want to be able to get to
that account from the sign on screen, you just have to enable the
account. Here’s how:
1. Log in to an account that has administrative privileges.
2. At the desktop, press Windows+X and click Computer Management.
3. In the left column of the Computer Management tool that opens, click Local Users and Groups.
4. In the center column, double-click the Users folder.
5. Right-click the Administrator account and choose Properties.
6. Clear the checkmark beside Account Is Disabled and click OK.
7. Close the Computer Management window.
When you log out of your
current account, you’ll see the Administrator account on the sign-on
screen. It will also appear there each time you start the computer.
Stop Entering Password on Lockout
If you leave the computer for a few minutes without logging out, you’re taken to a Lock Screen
that shows your user account information. If your user account is
password-protected, you need to enter your password to get back to the
desktop. This prevents other people from using your account while
you’re away. But this makes sense only in a work environment. In a home
environment, it may be overkill. You can reconfigure Windows 8 so that
you don’t have to reenter your password to get back to your desktop.
Here are the steps:
1. At the desktop, press Windows+X and click Power Options.
2. In the left column, click Require A Password On Wakeup.
3. Click
Change Settings That Are Currently Unavailable. Then elevate your
privileges by clicking Continue or by entering the password for an
administrative account.
4. Choose Don’t Require A Password.
5. Click Save Changes.
Advanced Security Tools
IT professionals and highly experienced
users can also use Local Users And Groups and Local Security Policy
consoles for more advanced security configuration. If you want to access the Local Users And Groups
tools, at the desktop press Windows+X and click Computer Management.
Then click Local Users and Groups in the left column.
To get to Local Security Policy, press Windows+X click Search, type local,
and click Local Security Policy. To find the new settings related to
UAC, expand Local Policies in the left column and then click Security
Options. The new UAC settings are at the bottom of the list in the
content pane.
