Local user accounts

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Local user accounts

The Users folder located in the Local Users and Groups Microsoft Management Console (MMC) displays the default user accounts as well as the user accounts you create. These default user accounts are created automatically when you install a stand-alone server or member server running Windows Server 2003. The following table describes each default user account on servers running Windows Server 2003.

Default user account		Description
Administrator account		The Administrator account has full control of the server and can assign user rights and access control permissions to users as necessary. This account must be used only for tasks that require administrative credentials. It is highly recommended that you set up this account to use a strong password. For more information, see Strong passwords [ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc756109(WS.10).aspx ] . For additional security considerations for accounts with administrative credentials, see Local Users and Groups Best practices [ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc781451(WS.10).aspx ] . The Administrator account is a member of the Administrators group on the server. The Administrator account can never be deleted or removed from the Administrators group, but it can be renamed or disabled. Because the Administrator account is known to exist on many versions of Windows, renaming or disabling this account will make it more difficult for malicious users to try and gain access to it. For more information about how to rename or disable a user account, see Rename a local user account [ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc738626(WS.10).aspx ] and Disable or activate a local user account [ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc781924(WS.10).aspx] . The Administrator account is the account you use when you first set up the server. You use this account before you create an account for yourself. Important Even when the Administrator account has been disabled, it can still be used to gain access to a computer using Safe Mode.
Guest account		The Guest account is used by people who do not have an actual account on the computer. A user whose account is disabled, but not deleted, can also use the Guest account. The Guest account does not require a password. The Guest account is disabled by default, but you can enable it. You can set rights and permissions for the Guest account just like any user account. By default, the Guest account is a member of the default Guests group, which allows a user to log on to a server. Additional rights, as well as any permissions, must be granted to the Guests group by a member of the Administrators group. The Guest account is disabled by default, and it is recommended that it stay disabled.
HelpAssistant account (installed with a Remote Assistance session)		The primary account used to establish a Remote Assistance session. This account is created automatically when you request a Remote Assistance session and has limited access to the computer. The HelpAssistant account is managed by the Remote Desktop Help Session Manager service and will be automatically deleted if no Remote Assistance requests are pending. For more information about Remote Assistance, see Administering Remote Assistance [ http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=38569] .