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Standard and Admin User Accounts in Mac OS X

Running day to day tasks as a Standard user, instead of an Admin user, in Mac OS X provides some protection for your system against viruses, malware and corruption. Your computer should have an Admin account so you can install software and make changes to the system, but you should not have to log in to this account for daily activities.

To create a new Standard user:

1. Double-click the System Preferences icon. System Preferences in located in the Applications folder on your hard drive.

   

2. The System Preferences window will open.

   

3. Click once on the Accounts icon.

4. The Accounts window will open and a list of accounts on the system will appear.

   

5. To make changes, you may need to click once on the lock in the lower left corner and enter your Admin username and password.

   

6. Click the plus sign in the lower left hand corner.

7. A window will appear. Give the new account a name and password. Do not place a check next to Allow user to administer this computer.

   

8. Close the window. The new Standard user account has been created.