On my computer, I have admin rights, but I get refused and told to log into Admin

Any time I try to install a program or have a problem, I am trying to fix, I get an error.  Some are "access denied", "you must login as an administrator" and the popular "insufficient privileges, you might neet to sign as an administrator."  My user name is Debbie and I have 'computer management' right.  This be corrected without involving Home Land Security?

Thank you

Debbie

When you install programs, you must Access the files in several directories - usually in the "C:\Program Files" folder and the "C:\Windows" folder and registers "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users" and the system and software.  All of these directories, files, and registriy entries can have controlled access to allow or refuse any use.  The "Administrators" group contains users who are generally given by default access to these areas simply by being a member of this group.  However don't forget that there is nothing magical about an administrator in this regard.  Authorisation may be refused to a Director like any other user.  Administrators have the ability, though, to change the permissions.

The quick test to verify that you are an administrator must right click on 'start '.  If "Open All Users" is one of the choices that appear, then you have administrator privilege.

Assuming you really are administrator, then you need to find which file or folder or registry entry has inappropriate permissions.  You can do this by using the 'Security' tab when you right click on a file or folder and select "Properties".  The Security tab will be present at file sharing Simple is disabled, so if you have XP Home Edition, you need start safe mode and log in as administrator to get this tab.  There are literally thousands of files and records concerned.  You will see that it is faster to re - install Windows in order to find the problem area - but a sample could be useful.

Several people have reported this problem recently which leads me to suspect that malware may be involved.  You can run a scan for malware on your computer.

HTH,
JW

Tags: Windows

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