Windows User Settings
User Account
A user account controls access to the computer.
- can be assigned rights or privileges to make OS configuration changes
- can be assigned permissions on files, folders, and printers
- protected by authenticating the account owner
- each user account is associated with a profile
The profile contains default folders for personal documents, pictures, videos, and music.
- Software apps may also write configuration info to the profile
Administrator Account
An administrator account has privileges to change any aspect of the system configuration.
- The first user of the computer is configured as the default administrator account
Standard User
Standard users have privileges on their profile only, rather than the whole computer.
Account Settings
A Windows account can be configured in 2 ways:
- local-only account
- linked to a Microsoft account
A local account can be used to sign-in on a single computer only.
A Microsoft account gives access to Microsoft’s cloud services and allows sign-in and syncs desktop settings and user profile data across multiple devices.
Uses for Account Settings
- Your info—Manage the current user account. If the account type is a Microsoft account, this links to a web portal.
- Email & accounts—Add sign-in credentials for other accounts, such as email or social networking, so that you can access them quickly.
- Configure sign-in options—Use a fingerprint reader or PIN to access the computer rather than a password. The computer can also be set to lock automatically from here.
- Access work or school—Join the computer to a centrally managed domain network.
- Family and other users—Permit other local or Microsoft accounts to log on to the computer. Generally speaking, these accounts should be configured as standard users with limited privileges.
- Sync settings—Use the cloud to apply the same personalization and preferences for each device that you use a Microsoft account to sign in with.
User Accounts Control Panel Applet
The User Accounts applet is a Control Panel app relating to user account creation and maintenance.
- legacy interface
- many functions are obfuscated or hidden
- can be used to change the User Account Control (UAC) settings
User Account Control (UAC) is a system to prevent unauthorized use of administrator privileges.
- at default, changing an administrative setting requires the user to confirm a prompt or input the credentials for an admin account
Privacy Settings
Privacy settings govern what usage data Windows is permitted to collect and what device functions are enabled and for which apps.
Multiple settings toggles to determine what data collection and app permissions are allowed:
- Data collection allows Microsoft to process usage telemetry.
- It affects use of speech and input personalization, language settings, general diagnostics, and activity history.
- App permissions allow or deny access to devices such as the location service, camera, and microphone and to user data such as contacts, calendar items, email, and files.
Desktop Settings
The desktop can be configured to use local settings and personalized to adjust its appearance.
Time and Language Settings
two main purposes:
- Set the correct date/time and time zone.
- used for accurate synchronization for authentication and backup processes
- Set region options for appropriate spelling and localization, keyboard input method, and speech recognition
- enable multiple languages
Personalization Settings
Select and customize themes/appearance of desktop environment:
- desktop wallpaper
- screen saver
- color scheme
- font
- properties for Start menu and taskbar
Ease of Access Settings
Ease of Access settings configure input and output options to best suit each user.
3 main settings groups:
- Vision
- configures options for cursor indicators, high-contrast, color-filter modes, magnifier zoom tool
- Hearing
- configures options for volume, mono sound mixing, visual notifications, and closed-captioning
- Interaction
- configures options for keyboard and mouse usability
- enable speech and eye-controlled input methods