At IU, why do I need to know the administrator account on my computer?

At IU, many tasks, including the following, will require that you log in as an administrator:

• Running the Get Connected software

  In campus housing you must know the password for one of the local administrator accounts before you run the Get Connected software, so you don't get locked out of your computer.

• Creating, modifying, or deleting user accounts on the computer

  If you share your computer with other users, you will need an administrative account to manage the different user accounts. You must use the administrative account to create account passwords for other users on the computer, and to change account names, pictures, passwords, and types.

• Installing and/or uninstalling certain programs

  Sometimes you must log into the local account to install or uninstall programs. Make sure you are logged in with administrator privileges when you install or uninstall any programs so everyone who logs into the computer will have a working copy of the software.

• Remove a virus or log into Safe Mode to remove a virus

  Some virus removal tools and manual removal instructions require you to log in as an administrator to properly remove the virus. Also, if the manual removal instructions require you to go to Safe Mode, you will need full access so the virus protection can completely scan the computer.

• Unlock the computer no matter who is logged in

  If another user is logged into the computer or forgets the password, knowing the local administrator password will allow you to log in with that account and reset or unlock the computer.

• Connect to IU's Active Directory Services (ADS) Domain

  For more information, see At IU, in Windows 2000 or XP Professional, how do I configure my computer to connect to IU's Active Directory Services Domain? and In Windows, how do I disable ADS network settings after I leave the IU network?

If you have forgotten your administrative password, follow the directions in At IUB, if I forget the administrator password for my Windows computer, what can I do?

Also see:

• In Windows, how do I lock my workstation without logging off?
• At IU, in Windows 2000 or XP Professional, how do I log into my workstation with administrative rights using my ADS Domain account?
• What is the principle of least privilege?
• At IUB, if I forget the administrator password for my Windows computer, what can I do?
• On a computer, what are administrators and administrative rights?
• What is Get Connected, and what does it do?
• In Windows, why should I avoid running my computer as an administrator?
• In Windows, how can I run an administrator task from a non-admin account?