Shouldn't a newly created User account for myself have access to all previously installed programs?

[Windows Central Question]

Hello.

I was reading an article on PCWorld or CNet today that mentions that a vast majority of Win10 security breaches could be avoided by using a User account instead of an admin account, for day to day use.

To this point, I've only used my Microsoft account as admin for my personal Surface Pro 3, and have all of the programs, Office, desktop apps, etc. configured.

I've just created a new user account for myself, not linked to my Microsoft account, and, upon getting to the desktop, I see that some, but not all, of the programs I've installed appear on the User desktop: eg Dropbox, several Win32 apps, Firefox, etc.

Is that normal for a new User account? Prior to having created the User account, my thinking was: since I've installed all of the programs I use on the PC while logged into my admin account, the User account (since it doesn't have the ability to install programs) should just "see" all of the programs already present on the computer.

Thanks,
crp

 

[TechFreak1]

If they are Win32 apps and don't provide the option "install for all users" and "install of this user" then by default it is usually the former. However for store apps that's a different story as they are tied to your microsoft account not the local user on the device. Plus you cannot download store apps without a microsoft account.

In regards to short cuts, they generally get placed in the all users directory therefore will appear for all users (for win32 applications).

 

[crp852]

If they are Win32 apps and don't provide the option "install for all users" and "install of this user" then by default it is usually the former. However for store apps that's a different story as they are tied to your microsoft account not the local user on the device. Plus you cannot download store apps without a microsoft account.

In regards to short cuts, they generally get placed in the all users directory therefore will appear for all users (for win32 applications).

Thanks for the quick reply (i forgot I wasn't signed into my WinCentral account when I posted the question). What I decided to do, as an alternative, was to change my primary account that I use on a daily basis to a Standard User account, when it had been an Admin account. I still have a separate admin account. All it took was a quick trip to User settings. Now, with my primary, day-to-day account (a Microsoft account) has all the programs visible, but, if I'm correct, I now avoid the security issues from having an admin account active.

 

[TechFreak1]

Thanks for the quick reply (i forgot I wasn't signed into my WinCentral account when I posted the question). What I decided to do, as an alternative, was to change my primary account that I use on a daily basis to a Standard User account, when it had been an Admin account. I still have a separate admin account. All it took was a quick trip to User settings. Now, with my primary, day-to-day account (a Microsoft account) has all the programs visible, but, if I'm correct, I now avoid the security issues from having an admin account active.

That is the recommended practice, however it's no way fool proof.

The best course of action is to be aware of what you are installing for instance if you download installers from CNET just be weary some installers have grey coloured ticks - always best to click the direct download link (but still make sure and not use the CNET downloader), not clicking on random pop ups, using something like noscript to keep tabs on what scripts are allowed to run etc.

Also Windows 10 (windows 7 + 8 also) also has a hidden admin account which I suppose you could say somewhat supersedes a user created admin - in certain regards. But really for the average person it's no different from the first account that gets created (presuming that is the sole account created during OOBE).