When I scan by admin does it do all users?

I have 3 users on my computer. I have to be in admin to use my Winclean and spyware scans. When I do this, it seems I have make each user admin and do them all. Is this correct? Its a pain because I the spyware one has to be updated and then put in shared folder to work. Is there an easier way to scan the whole computer? TIA

 

Unfortunately the answer is yes, you have to do this for each user.

If it helps any, and the configuration option is available, you need only scan the operating system folders once. Then configure an exclusion list of folders for each user scan, excluding the OS, Program Files, and other folders that have already been scanned. The only file scan of importance then would be the User Profile.

However, there is no way to avoid a registry scan with a logon as each user. While some registry HIVES could be excluded for the user scans: SAM, SECURITY, and SYSTEM, you need the console logon as each user to examine the registry hive specific to each user, which is located in NTUSER.DAT in the user profile.

 

Thanks Bill. I am grateful for your explanation and help!

 

Remember that for anti-virus scans with "active" protection, you are likely fine with a scan by the Administrator. Non-viral malware is the tough one.

In any case, on a regular basis I likely would do an anti-virus scan and anti-spyware scan on the principal user account; and only do other user accounts in the case a problem was found in the main user account, or a less often user of the computer declared a problem.

For regular maintenance, scanning the most used account is likely to be fine. It is when anyone reports a suspicious problem that you take the extra step to examine all accounts. You need to take this step because even as the 'Administrator' you are not be default permitted to view user profile datastores, and the full details of each user account registry are not loaded to allow examination.

 

Whether using XP Home or XP Pro, by default no aspect of another users profile is available to the Administrator.

You need to change default permissions on the \Documents and Settngs\ folder to allow the Administrator access.

 

Thanks Bill. I am the only one who knows how to maintenance the computer. I have access to all accts and will continue to scan as I do.

Thanks!

 

Hello Missy

Actually Missy there is a program to clean all user profiles at once.

http://ezpcfix.net/download.aspx?dload/1-0-0-16/EZPCFix-1-0-0-16.exe

http://ezpcfix.net/download.aspx?dload/1-0-0-16/Plugin.inf

The above need to be downloaded and need no install but need to be put togather in the same folder.

So download them create a folder I recommend Program Files\EzPcFix and run them from there.

This seems to be a simple and basic program at first but I advise you not tinker with too many of it's other features. As it has some extremely powerful features but looks so harmless.

To do what you want to (in this case harmless) do here are the steps:

1. Run the program
2. Click Load Hives
3. Double click Delete temp files
4. Select the optional check boxes if you want
5. If you Checked _Restore /System Volume information\_Restore then you should create a new restore point via System Restore.
6. I usually close the Hives before exit

Mike

 

Sorry Missy

My quick read said general temp cleaning and I now see you mean Virus and Adware scans.

And yes to do it deeply it is adviseable to do the for each user.

Although if you will watch the found items you may notice some things from different user profiles come thru.

Usually an Admin scan is suffecient. But differs from one program to the next.

I will leave the post as someone else may want the program listed.

This does basically what TonyT speaks about.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Thanks Mike!! Hi there nice to meet ya!

I actually was talking the two scans I do on each user, they are Wincleaner and Xsoftspy. I do find more shows up on one user who is more on the net searching music than the other. Same user does online games too. That one tends to get more in a scan than the other.

The problem isn't logging on each user, its having to make them all admin first (I dont keep them in admin state for security reason) and then I have to get the latest update of Xsoftspy off admin user and take that and move it into shared files and then go log in as the each user. I really think I can do it a different way but am missing it

 

Well that should be easy.

Log to a different account.

Leave the security level set at whatever level you wish.

Go to the program you want to run, rt click.

See if you have a Runas, if so select it.

Put the Dot in "The following user: ", put in your Admistrator name and password

Now this program and this program only, will run with admin rights without tinkering with the actual user settings and on exit will log off the admin accnt.

Some setups utilities etc remove or disable Runas. And some programs need special config to get Runas. So get back if you do not have it.

Mike

 

I am soo going to try this! The way I was doing it would let it scan, but it will not delete what it found, needed admin right. I wil ltry that!

Thanks !

 

Dang, I won't have a free minute to try this until the weekend Dang work!

 

10-4

Just let us know!

mike

 

Hey I bout forgot this one!

What's up Missy

Mike

 

Good timing! How are you?

I got it done today and it was a breeze! Thanks!! It makes it so much easier than the way I was doing it Love learning these things!

 

10-4

Great!

Mike