Windows 7 Walkthrough: User Accounts and Family Safety Control Panel
Image 1 of 15
Windows 7 Walkthrough: User Accounts and Family Safety Control Panel
Windows 7 Walkthrough: User Accounts and Family Safety Control Panel
Windows 7’s Control Panel is literally packed with tools (a.k.a. applets) that allow you to configure and control the way that the operating system works. Because the Control Panel has so many tools, Microsoft added a Search box to make it easy for you to find the tool that you need for a particular task.
To help you become familiar with all of the tools that are available in Windows 7’s Control Panel, I have created the Windows 7 Walkthrough series in which I’ll show you and provide a brief overview of each tool in the Control Panel categories. This one covers the tools in the User Accounts and Family Safety category.
Keep in mind that I’ll be using the Ultimate edition of Windows 7, which contains some features not available in other editions of the operating system.
Remove your password
Remove your password
If you are the only one using your computer, you may want to remove your password.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Change your picture
Change your picture
You can change the picture that will appear on the Welcome screen and on the Start menu. You can use any of the default pictures or you can use any picture you like.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Change your account name
Change your account name
You can change the name assigned to your user account. When you do so, you will encounter a UAC prompt.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Change your account type
Change your account type
If you wish to do to change your account from an Administrator to a Standard account, you can do so as long as there is another account on the system that is set to Administrator level.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Manage another account
Manage another account
As an Administrator you can change other user’s account settings.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Change User Account Control Settings
Change User Account Control Settings
One of the new features in Windows 7 is the ability to adjust the level of the User Account Control protection. While you can take it up to the Always notify level or down to the Never notify level, it’s probably best to use the default or the next level down, which just eliminates the secure desktop—the desktop isn’t dimmed and as such is available to you and other programs.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Create a password Reset disk
Create a password Reset disk
From within the User Accounts window, you can launch the Forgotten Password Wizard and create a password reset disk. You can also use a USB flash drive (UFD). This is a perfect use for that old 128MB UFD at the bottom of your desk drawer.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Link Online IDs
Link Online IDs
If your computer is part of a HomeGroup, you can use the Link Online IDs feature to simplify the process of sharing and accessing files on remote and network computers. Linking an account is a two-part process that involves adding your online ID provider, and then linking your online ID with your Windows user account. (I’ll cover this feature in more detail in a future article.)
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Manage your file encryption certificates
Manage your file encryption certificates
If you are using the Encrypting File System (EFS) feature to help you keep your information secure, you can set up and manage your file encryption certificates from within the User Accounts window.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Configure Advanced User Profile Properties
Configure Advanced User Profile Properties
From within the User Accounts window, you can access the User Profiles dialog box, which lists the user profiles on your computer and will allow you to change the profile type from local to roaming.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Change my Environment variables
Change my Environment variables
As you may know, environment variables are a set of dynamic named values that can be using in a number of ways to affect running processes on a computer. From within the User Accounts window, you can access the Environment Variables dialog box and edit, delete or create new environment variables.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Parental/User Controls
Parental/User Controls
For example, you can impose time limits, use ratings to choose games, or block specific programs.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
Game Rating Systems
Game Rating Systems
You can even choose which Game Rating System, which are established by the various Game Ratings Boards, that you want to use.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
User Accounts and Family Safety Walkthrough Map
User Accounts and Family Safety Walkthrough Map
This tree diagram presents a map of the User Accounts and Family Safety walkthrough.
Images by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic
