(this assumes you are running as an administrator on Windows XP)

Adding a Non-Privileged Account

start button

Click the Start button and bring up the Start Menu

start menu


Open (double click) the Control Panel

control panel


Select User Accounts

user accounts


Select Create a new account. Choose a name for the new account

new account name


Select the account type Limited, and click Create Account

new account type


That's it! Use this new account for your everyday computing - reading email, surfing the Web, instant messaging.

You should set a password on your original (administrator) account, as a reminder that using it is more risky. But don't delete it - you still need it to install software and maintain your computer