Understanding Operating System Configurations

This chapter focuses on the importance of operating system configurations. A user account is a collection of information that defines the actions that can be taken on a computer and which files and folders can be accessed (rights, policies, and permissions). An account also keeps track of user preferences, such as the desktop background, window color, and screen saver. There are three types of user accounts in Windows 10: (1) Administrator, (2) Standard user and (3) Guest. The Guest account type is simply an account with few permissions and no password that allows a user to access a computer without requiring a unique user account. The Standard user account type has less permission than an Administrator account, but enough permission to be productive. The Administrator account type provides the broadest permissions and, therefore, the most control over the computer. When you're logged on as an administrator, you can change all settings, install programs, and modify the Windows registry. Use an Administrator account only when you need to make changes or perform maintenance that requires elevated permissions. Elevated permissions generally refer to administrative-level permissions. Using an Administrator account for ordinary (standard-level) computing tasks leaves the computer at a much greater risk of attack.