How To Tell if You have Administrative Rights in Windows XP

Having administrative rights in Windows XP entitles you to unlimited access to everything in your computer. Compared to other users who are restricted to certain areas in the computer, you are given the unrestricted right to operate the systems of your computer.

Here’s an easy way to check if you have administrative rights in Windows XP.

* Turn on computer and log on. Turn on the computer by pressing the power button. Wait a couple of minutes for your computer to log. Click on the icon to log in. This is usually beside the name that you programmed as the user.
* Right click the Start button. If you are using a mouse, move the cursor towards the Start button. The start button is found at the lower left side of your screen. Press the right button of the mouse. If you do not have a mouse and are using a laptop, use the track pad of your laptop and drag the cursor towards the start button. Press the right button, which is usually found at the lower right side of your track pad.
* Check the pop-up box. A pop-up box is a box usually found near the mouse cursor. It can be found to the left or right, above or below the mouse cursor. The pop-up box that will appear on your screen will have a list of functions. Look at that pop-up box and check if the “Open All Users” and “Explore All Users” are found in the pop-up box. If these are present, then you have administrative rights.
* Right click on My Computer. Another way to check if you have administrative rights is to right click the My Computer icon. On your desktop, you will see a My Computer icon. Move your cursor to the icon and press the right button.
* Locate the “Manage” sign on the pop-up box. When a pop-up box appears, a list of functions will also appear. Choose the “Manage” sign and click the left button of your mouse. This will open a Computer Management Window.
* Locate the “Local Users and Groups.” A pop-up box will appear at the center of your computer. It is divided into two parts. Check the left part of the pop-up box for the “Local Users and Group” icon. If it is not present, then you do not have administrative rights.
* Check your Control Panel. Another way to check if you have administrative rights is to left click the start button and click on the Control Panel. Click on User Accounts. If you see the words Standard User under your account, then you do not have administrative rights.


Having administrative rights has its advantages. You can delete the accounts of other users. You can also create or delete the passwords of other users. Modifying settings of files, systems or folders can only be done by the administrator. The administrator can also give rights to other users. It is important to be the administrator of your own computer to have complete power over everything in your computer.