Any difference in downgrading a Windows admin account or creating a new standard user account?

Question

I would like to downgrade my Windows 7 admin account to be a standard account, mostly for the added security benefits. I will have another admin account in case I need to install or update softwares.

Will I be better off (security wise) creating a new standard account instead of changing the type of my current admin account? And if so I would like to know why.

Answer 1

You won't be better off. Like mentioned, you'd only be adding more work for yourself.

The only reason I can fathom for creating a new user would be if the current one has been compromised, in which case the entire system could be compromised. So creating a new user would likely be a placebo for a solution.

If however your current user has been bogged down with lots of applications that start-up - only for that user - then creating a new one is a perfectly valid solution to that problem; seeing as it would require the least amount of work.

Answer 2

The method I use at home and on the work network is to rename the administrator account and create an additional standard account.

This will give you the separation you are looking for I believe.

Your best option no matter what you decide is to enable user account control. This will help to prevent changes on your system that require administrative rights without your knowledge.