Is your hidden administrator account inactive?

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  1. Muz
    Posts : 25
    Windows 10
       #1

    Is your hidden administrator account inactive?


    I have been using the hidden administrator account for almost like 10 years. Is it really not recommend for daily use? I am puzzled with this kind of account. I see all my friends computer, and their computers don't have the hidden administrator active and disabled. I see the computers lab, the hidden administrator is inactive.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    The hidden administrator account is the last resort if all of the user accounts on the PC get corrupted. It also has elevated privileges above standard administrators. The problem is that if you should happen to get a virus on the computer, when logged in with the hidden administrator account the virus has free reign of the computer with administrator privileges to completely wipe it out, or maybe even worse upload any private data stored on it to a hacker.

    To me using the hidden administrator account for daily use is like jumping out of an airplane and pulling the reserve parachute first. To me having to answer the little UAC permission box that pops up when I am logged in as a normal administrator is just not that much of an inconvenience in comparison to the dangers of using the hidden administrator account for daily use. And besides, I like my account name to be John and not "Administrator".
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 16,782
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #3

    Muz said:
    I have been using the hidden administrator account for almost like 10 years.
    Why?

    It's a serious question.

    If you explain why you are using it then others can explain why your reasons are invalid [which they are] in order to persuade you to stop.

    There is absolutely nothing that you can do with the hidden administrator that you cannot do with a normal admin account that you have created. The hidden administrator account is essentially a normal admin account with UAC turned off.
    Denis
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #4

    Try3 said:
    Why?

    It's a serious question.

    If you explain why you are using it then others can explain why your reasons are invalid [which they are] in order to persuade you to stop.

    There is absolutely nothing that you can do with the hidden administrator that you cannot do with a normal admin account that you have created. The hidden administrator account is essentially a normal admin account with UAC turned off.
    Denis
    Actually, it goes beyond that as you get permissions beyond what turning off UAC gives as effectively you have system privileges. That is why it is easy to break OS.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 625
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #5

    Personally, I do use the Hidden Admin account as my everyday account. I'm the only one on my PC anyway. I live alone. My friend comes over a few times a week and she's on it, but always asks before going to any website or downloading anything. I also have UAC disabled because it's annoying as hell. . lol IF i do ever happen to get a virus, then i'll just do a complete format and fresh install. I don't keep any personal files or information on my PC anyway.
      My Computers


  6. Muz
    Posts : 25
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    vgkfan83 said:
    Personally, I do use the Hidden Admin account as my everyday account. I'm the only one on my PC anyway. I live alone. My friend comes over a few times a week and she's on it, but always asks before going to any website or downloading anything. I also have UAC disabled because it's annoying as hell. . lol IF i do ever happen to get a virus, then i'll just do a complete format and fresh install. I don't keep any personal files or information on my PC anyway.
    Where do you usually keep your personal files and information?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,255
    Windows 10 Pro
       #7

    Even when NT was first introduced more than 25 years ago Microsoft did not recommend the Administrator account for general use. Best practice was to create one or more admin level accounts for when such access was needed and one or more standard accounts for general use. The Administrator account was to be reserved for occasions when it was really needed. At the time it could not be disabled. This was far less convenient then than now. There was no UAC, no fast user switching, and no runas facility. Minimum specified RAM size was 16 MB and disk space was 110 MB, and many thought these requirements excessive. The OS had to be designed for these limitations.

    And back then there was far less malicious software, it was relatively primitive, and the means of distributing it far more limited. None of those are true anymore.

    The inconvenience of not using the Administrator account is far less now. We have fast user switching, a runas facility, and UAC which when used with an admin level account has the rights of a standard account that can quite easily have full admin level rights when needed. This is the default configuration. It is still less secure than best practice but it is a reasonable compromise.

    But this seems to be a time when for many convenience rules supreme and any compromise with it is unacceptable. Thus the use of the Administrator account. If you feel you must, then do so. Be aware that this is risky behavior and in violation of long established standard practice. And above all else please do not encourage others in this.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 396
    Windows 10 Pro
       #8

    LMiller7 said:
    But this seems to be a time when for many convenience rules supreme and any compromise with it is unacceptable. Thus the use of the Administrator account. If you feel you must, then do so. Be aware that this is risky behavior and in violation of long established standard practice. And above all else please do not encourage others in this.
    +1 and then some.

    Sorry to say this but using the hidden Admin account is just plain foolhardy no matter how careful you think you are being.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 16,782
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #9

    vgkfan83 said:
    IF i do ever happen to get a virus ...
    But you will not know. Malware does not advertise itself. It'll just monitor whatever it wants and copy any of your information it wants.

    Denis
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 625
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #10

    Muz said:
    Where do you usually keep your personal files and information?
    On an extra 3TB External HDD. I keep nothing on my PC.
      My Computers


 

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