is it ok to delete that first user?

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djc - 29 Aug 2006 19:05 GMT

during XP's regular interactive setup routine you are forced to create a
local user account (other than the local administrator).

1) is there a way to avoid having to create it in the first place during
interactive setup?
2) I assume it would be safe to log on as local administrator and just
delete that user account... correct? or is it 'special' in some way?

I am preparing machines that will only be used on a windows domain so no
local accounts (other than the local administrator) are needed or even
wanted on the machines.

any input would be appreciated. thanks.

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Ian - 29 Aug 2006 20:16 GMT

I think that will not happen if you specify domain-membership in the network
settings. That might not be practical if the computers are being setup
pre-delivery, of course.

A simple workaround is to call the user by a standardised name -e.g. USER -
and then run a batch file containing:

NET USER USER /DELETE /YES

as any Administrative user.

HST, there's never any harm in having a second local account so long as it
has a decent password on it. If someone messes up a domain-wide local-admin
password change it might just save a lot of grief!

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djc - 29 Aug 2006 20:23 GMT

thanks for the input Ian. To your knowledge then, it *is* safe to delete
this account then? (no special significance being the first account setup
during install)

thanks again.

>I think that will not happen if you specify domain-membership in the
>network
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> local-admin
> password change it might just save a lot of grief!

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Shenan Stanley - 29 Aug 2006 21:53 GMT

> thanks for the input Ian. To your knowledge then, it *is* safe to
> delete this account then? (no special significance being the first
> account setup during install)

If it is unsafe to delete it - you won't be able to.
You cannot delete some users - like the built-in administrator, the guest
account, etc.
Users you create - you should be able to delete them all day long.

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Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
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How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

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djc - 29 Aug 2006 22:14 GMT

thats what I figured... just looking for verification. Thanks.

>> thanks for the input Ian. To your knowledge then, it *is* safe to
>> delete this account then? (no special significance being the first
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> account, etc.
> Users you create - you should be able to delete them all day long.

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