The Windows Vista® operating system from Microsoft® is the successor to Windows XP®, it offers great performance and improved stability. Some of the new features include Windows Search, Windows Aero, Windows Sidebar, Desktop Window Manager and an improved Start menu.There are numerous different editions of Windows Vista, namely:
- Starter Edition
- Home Basic Edition
- Home Premium Edition
- Business Edition
- Enterprise Edition
- Ultimate Edition
User Accounts in Windows Vista
Whether you are creating, changing, or removing a password, you can do it from within the User Accounts section of the Windows vista Control Panel.The first few steps are the same, so we will list these first. Then we will take you through the steps to create, change and remove your password.
The first step is to open the Windows Vista Control Panel.
To open the Control Panel, click on the Start button and then click on Control Panel.
If you are using the Classic Start menu then click on Start, then on Settings, then finally click on Control Panel.
The next step will depend on whether you are viewing the Control Panel using the default, Category view (fig 1.1), or the Classic view (fig 1.2). In Category view, click on User Accounts and Family Safety, in Classic view double-click on User Accounts.
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| You should now be looking at the "User Accounts" dialogue box, from here you can follow the instructions below to either create, change or remove your password. |
How to create a password in Windows Vista
Creating a password is a very wise idea, sometimes vital, especially in an open environment such as an office.Laptops should always be protected by a password, especially if you use your laptop in more than one location, although not infallable, having a password is better than none at all.
Once you are in the User Accounts dialogue box, click on "Create a password for your account", you will now see the Create your password dialogue box shown in fig 1.4 below.
Enter your new password in both of the boxes provided, ensure you use a secure password. The password hint is a handy feature in case you forget your password in the future. The hint you enter should be something that will help you remember your password, avoid using obvious hints, as it is visible to anyone with access to the computer.Once you have entered all of the information above, click on the Create Password button.
How to change a password in Windows Vista
Important passwords, such as your Windows Vista logon password, should be changed on a regular basis. In an office environment, passwords should be changed routinely, once a month is fairly common practice.Fortunately, Windows Vista, like its predecessor Windows XP®, makes it very simple to change your existing password.
In the User Accounts dialogue box, locate the "Change your password" link and click on it with the left mouse button. This will open the Change your password dialogue box, as shown below in fig 1.5.
To stop any unauthorised password change, in order to change your password you must also enter your existing password. Enter this into the first box, then carefully type your new password into the two subsequent boxes.The hint is what will be displayed if you forget your password in the future to try and jog your memory. Remember, your hint will be visible to everyone who uses the computer, so don't make it too easy to work out the password from the hint.
Once complete, click on the Change Password button.
How to remove a password in Windows Vista
There may be occasions when you want to remove your password from Windows Vista.
For example, if another member of the family, or work colleague, was going to use your computer while you were away and you didn't want to divulge your password, although changing your password temporarily would be a better option in this case.
It is straight-forward to remove the Logon password requirement from Windows Vista, and takes only a few moments.
Find the "Remove your password" link in the User Accounts dialogue box and click on it, this opens the Remove your password dialogue box, similar to fig 1.6 below.
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Enter your current password in the box provided, this stops any unauthorised removal, then click on the Remove Password button.
