administrator account for Windows 8

I never had an administrator account with XP, but was told it was wise to do so. I've just (today) started trying to setup my new Windows 8 computer and could use a little help. I found some instructions online for setting up an administrator account and followed them and the administrator "picture" came up so I thought I was OK, but it never asked me to create a password. I'm getting a little nervous to play too much without some advice! How and when does should it prompt me to create a password?

Also I noticed when I was searching online for an answer to this question, I saw several instances where people were asking what to do if they forgot the administrator password and it talked about using a disk. AAACK, I can't figure out how to get back to that!!! Anyway, what disk are they talking about. LOL I'm getting too old for this.

Do I need an administrator account? How do I get to the part where I create the password for it?

Thanks so much for your help. You all helped me select this computer because I was an still an XP user and now I need help. I've been working on it all day, but I AM making progress.

Thanks,
Patti

 

I presume this is a new computer with Win 8 pre-installed? If it is, the first time you started it up, in order to get to the Metro interface and then your desktop, you needed to put in a user name and password. The password you entered IS the Administrative password and you have administrative privileges. If you right click on an application because you need to run it as Administrator, the password you chose initially is what you would use as the Administrative password.

 

Yes, it is a new computer with Windows 8 pre-installed. Makes sense. Now ... is it safe for me to use this account for everything including internet use? I'm normally the only one who uses this computer, but I do my banking, bill paying, monitoring investments, etc. so I want to be safe.

Thanks for your help,
Patti

 

Your safest bet is to have a standard account for your online activities and reserve the administrative account for managing your computer. If your standard account, which has less privileges to change settings and install and run software, is compromised it can limit the scope of damage and problems the crooks can cause. Of course, that does not mean you can be less careful but it does add an extra level of protection just in case.

 

I wish more people would follow this method.