I just want to share my frustration over what I found out when comparing how Windows XP and Windows 10 handle user accounts. Maybe you can show me that I'm wrong and I'm just stupid, but...
I've noticed how much easier it is to set up a non-admin or guest account that has no access to the folders and files of the admin account on WinXP than it is to do the same on Win10.
On Win10, every new account, by default, can access the admin's private files. If you wish to block the access of the users to these files, you must change the permission settings for individual folders. What I did was to block the whole D drive. Since it was my first time ever doing something like that, of course, I made a mistake. I accidentally locked myself out of everything that was on the D drive by restricting everyone, including the admin. I panicked but I was still able to use my web browser and found a solution for it. Eventually, I managed to set it right and now only I have access to my private files.
But that's not the end of problems. Messing with the permission settings has paved the way for many small issues. Sometimes when I try to install new programs, they refuse to be installed on the D drive because apparently they require some communication with the system drive. A lot of installation issues I had were fixed by adjusting the permission settings for specific folders. It's an additional headache for me to worry about and the price I'm paying for keeping my stuff private.
Now, if I was free from the cynicism of nostalgia-driven retro enthusiasm and had never known XP, I would assume that 20 years ago it must have been even harder to perform basic tasks like setting up user accounts and that now everything is the best that it can. After all, Microsoft is committed to delivering streamlined user experience and tirelessly improving their product so that we can all forget about the past and start looking forward... right? Well, I'd be ludicrously mistaken.
So how does XP compare with a modern operating system? The same process of setting up user accounts that I described above takes 90% less time and is completely hassle-free. It's as easy as changing your wallpaper. A new user will see and be able to use the applications installed by the admin, but all other files are inaccessible.
I get a feeling that these two operating systems were made by totally different companies.
I've noticed how much easier it is to set up a non-admin or guest account that has no access to the folders and files of the admin account on WinXP than it is to do the same on Win10.
On Win10, every new account, by default, can access the admin's private files. If you wish to block the access of the users to these files, you must change the permission settings for individual folders. What I did was to block the whole D drive. Since it was my first time ever doing something like that, of course, I made a mistake. I accidentally locked myself out of everything that was on the D drive by restricting everyone, including the admin. I panicked but I was still able to use my web browser and found a solution for it. Eventually, I managed to set it right and now only I have access to my private files.
But that's not the end of problems. Messing with the permission settings has paved the way for many small issues. Sometimes when I try to install new programs, they refuse to be installed on the D drive because apparently they require some communication with the system drive. A lot of installation issues I had were fixed by adjusting the permission settings for specific folders. It's an additional headache for me to worry about and the price I'm paying for keeping my stuff private.
Now, if I was free from the cynicism of nostalgia-driven retro enthusiasm and had never known XP, I would assume that 20 years ago it must have been even harder to perform basic tasks like setting up user accounts and that now everything is the best that it can. After all, Microsoft is committed to delivering streamlined user experience and tirelessly improving their product so that we can all forget about the past and start looking forward... right? Well, I'd be ludicrously mistaken.
So how does XP compare with a modern operating system? The same process of setting up user accounts that I described above takes 90% less time and is completely hassle-free. It's as easy as changing your wallpaper. A new user will see and be able to use the applications installed by the admin, but all other files are inaccessible.
I get a feeling that these two operating systems were made by totally different companies.
and no birthdays-as-your-password!