Switch user on Windows 7 (not as braindead as it sounds)

Factual Questions
1

I’ve recently received some Windows 7 computers from the IT department that I need to install some stuff on.

The computers have been configured to automatically log into a profile called ‘Lab Student’ that doesn’t have administrator privileges. Going to ‘User Accounts’ --> ‘Manage User Accounts’, I can see another account called ‘Lab Manager’ that has administrator privileges; I’m the lab manager, so I think this account was put there for me to use.

Problem is, whenever I log out, switch user, restart, etc., the machine never gives me any option (menu or text field) for what account to use. It always goes straight to Lab Student.

Do you know how I can force the machine to let me log in to another account? Thanks!!

2

Is the Administrator account enabled on these systems? It’s hidden by default. Google “Enable Windows 7 Administrator Account” and follow the instructions. Also, if you want to use the defined Manager account, make sure it is enabled when you’re next in User Admin with admin privileges.

3

Push Windows+L on the keyboard and then hit switch user. If you don’t see switch user on the lock screen, you might have to push a little <-- (back) arrow first.

Edit: Or just go to the start menu and log off altogether by going to the arrow near the Shut off command.

4

Problem: the profile that is logged in by default doesn’t have admin privileges. So I can’t enable the Admin account.

[QUOTE=Reply]
Push Windows+L on the keyboard and then hit switch user. If you don’t see switch user on the lock screen, you might have to push a little <– (back) arrow first. Edit: Or just go to the start menu and log off altogether by going to the arrow near the Shut off command.
[/QUOTE]
Well, as stated in the OP, I’ve tried the normal means to reveal the other profiles and they fail. The computer simply logs in to the Lab Student account every time; no menu of other users, or any means of designating a different user to log in.

5

It sounds like the IT Department has configured the machines to auto-login to the ‘Lab Student’ account, probably with a Group Policy. If you need to log into a different account, the “correct” procedure would probably be to contact them and ask them to remove the restriction.

Have you tried rebooting the machine, and holding the ‘Shift’ key down while it boots? That *might *override the auto-login…but it might not; I don’t remember for sure. And of course, even if it brings you to a login screen, you’ll probably need a password for the ‘Lab Manager’ account, which from your OP it sounds like you don’t have…so it’s back to “call IT” again…

6

Hmm, I read it twice and missed that section both times. Sorry!

7

You don’t need to log in as another user. You can run applications as the Lab Manager using the Run As option. There are two ways of doing this. The first is to shift-right-click on the executable and select Run As Administrator and then put in your Lab Manager credentials. The second is to open a command prompt and use the RUNAS command, again using your Lab Manager credentials. Note that in both cases you may need to use PCNAME\Lab Manager just in case it defaults to a network domain account.

8

Reinstalling windows is the best option. I work at a university and pc’s in our labs get infected pretty often. Our CS dept tries to keep them cleaned off but its hard with a public pc.

Is the pc going back to the lab? Or will a staff member be using it in a dept? If its for staff use then definitely reinstall windows.