User accounts enable you to set the privileges for each user of the computer. For example, you can set the software programs that each user is allowed to access.
Windows Vista provides three types of user accounts:
Administrator:
Is allowed to change account types for other users, change passwords, change
Limited - Standard User:
Is not allowed to change other user settings or passwords. A Limited account may not be able to install or run some software.
Is allowed to change the limited account picture, and to create, edit, or delete the account password.
Guest:
Is allowed to use most software and change system settings that do not affect other users or the security of the computer.
Is not allowed to change other user settings or passwords, or install software.
Does not have access to
Creating multiple user accounts on the same computer has certain advantages, as well as some drawbacks.
Advantages to multiple user accounts:
Ability to create individual user settings
Ability to limit access to software for certain users
Drawbacks to multiple user accounts:
More memory (RAM) usage
Multiple Temporary Internet Files folders to remove during Disk Cleanup
More data to back up
Longer time to complete virus scan
40Getting Started (features vary by model)