How to check if you are an administrator
In XP, when you right-clicked on the Start button and saw "Open All Users" you knew that you were an administrator on that particular machine. Is there such a thing in Windows 7? I know I can go to control panel > User accounts, but I'm looking for something simple like in XP. Thanks
September 16th, 2011 11:36am

This takes only two clicks, but it also brings up User Accounts, so you might not consider it more simple. 1. Click Start. 2. Click your user picture (not your user name). Your status will be displayed.
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September 16th, 2011 12:54pm

>> "Your status wil be displayed". I don't see anything that says if I'm admin or not. Does it matter if I'm in a domain environment?
September 16th, 2011 1:24pm

I haven't found exactly what you're looking for, but a few quick, indirect methods I've used in the past include: Running gpedit.msc > If you're not an admin it will tell you so Entering "uac" (sans quotes) in Windows search > This starts up UAC if you have Admin rights and does nothing otherwise
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September 16th, 2011 4:04pm

You can find the Windows 7 user control pane by launching the desktop control panel (Start - Control Panel - More settings).
September 16th, 2011 4:10pm

In XP, when you right-clicked on the Start button and saw "Open All Users" you knew that you were an administrator on that particular machine. Is there such a thing in Windows 7? I know I can go to control panel > User accounts, but I'm looking for something simple like in XP. Thanks Start --> Run --> Control UserpasswordS2MCP | MCTS | MCITP From Iraq
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September 16th, 2011 4:22pm

Thank you all for the replies. Unfortunately, none are as easy as it was in XP. Guess I'll have to live with it. If anyone has any other suggestions, please chime in. Thank You again.
September 16th, 2011 8:25pm

We need to wait for beta to see how difficult it will be. This preview is just for the Metro UI and for APIs.
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September 16th, 2011 8:28pm

We need to wait for beta to see how difficult it will be. This preview is just for the Metro UI and for APIs. I assume you are talking about windows 8, but the question was about windows 7.
September 16th, 2011 8:36pm

Yes, you are right. I missed that, sorry :/
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September 16th, 2011 8:39pm

So another try but having Win7 in the context. I do not have a non-administrator account on hand, but try to right-click on the All programs text shown after clicking on the right menu. On an administrator account I see the Open All Users menu item there.
September 16th, 2011 8:42pm

So another try but having Win7 in the context. I do not have a non-administrator account on hand, but try to right-click on the All programs text shown after clicking on the right menu. On an administrator account I see the Open All Users menu item there. That looked promising... but looks like it shows up (and opens up) regardless if you are admin or not.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
September 16th, 2011 9:23pm

As TrekDozer pointed out, you just have to click on the User picture. Refer screenshot (highlighted in red): After that you will see a screen which which will have something like this: If you see Administrator written in the place highlighted above, you are an Administrator. If you see Standard user written (as above), then you're not. Please revert back here if this does not address your question. Hope it helps!Kunal D Mehta - a Windows Server Enthusiast | My first TechNet Wiki Article
September 17th, 2011 6:06am

As TrekDozer pointed out, you just have to click on the User picture. Refer screenshot (highlighted in red): After that you will see a screen which which will have something like this: If you see Administrator written in the place highlighted above, you are an Administrator. If you see Standard user written (as above), then you're not. Please revert back here if this does not address your question. Hope it helps! Kunal D Mehta - a Windows Server Enthusiast | My first TechNet Wiki Article Sir , please go to Start --> Run --> Control UserPasswordS2 --> Double click on User Name --> Group Membership --> Change From Standard User to Administrator --> Apply --> ok --> Log off --> log in Regards,MCP | MCTS | MCITP
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September 17th, 2011 7:46am

As TrekDozer pointed out, you just have to click on the User picture. Refer screenshot (highlighted in red): After that you will see a screen which which will have something like this: If you see Administrator written in the place highlighted above, you are an Administrator. If you see Standard user written (as above), then you're not. Please revert back here if this does not address your question. Hope it helps! Kunal D Mehta - a Windows Server Enthusiast | My first TechNet Wiki Article Only problem is that, on my machine it doesn't show "Standard user" or "Administator". Maybe this doesn't work on a domain?
September 17th, 2011 8:29am

If you are in a domain, you have a domain account. These accounts usually has more complex structure of user groups and their permission, so there is no easy way to define what "administrator" is. Sure, there is a Domain Admins group, but this has nothing to do with whether you can do something with your computer; this can be controlled not only per user but also per computer and in quite detailed level.
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September 22nd, 2011 11:07am

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