Setting desktop security for a Windows 7 computer

Password-protect all accounts on your computer

The following instructions summarize how to set or change user account passwords on a Windows 7 computer.

To get started, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start.
  2. Click Control Panel.
  3. Click User Accounts and Family Safety.

What you do next depends on the situation:

  1. If you need to create a password, follow these steps:
    • Under User Accounts, click Create a password for your account.
    • Type a password in the first blank field.
    • Retype the password in the second blank field to confirm it.
    • Type a hint for your password (optional).
    • Click Create Password.
  2. If you already have a password and want to make it stronger, follow these steps to change a password to something more secure.
    • Under User Accounts, click Change your Windows password.
    • Type your current password in the text field as indicated.
    • Retype the password in the second blank field to confirm it.
  3. For other accounts on your computer, follow these steps:
    • Click Add or remove user accounts.
    • If a user account exists, click on its name.
    • Follow the steps above to set or change a password.

Disable the Windows guest account

Disabling the guest account on a Windows 7 computer prevents people without an account on your computer from logging in to your computer.

  1. Click Start.
  2. Click Control Panel.
  3. Click User Accounts and Family Safety.
  4. Click Add or remove user accounts.
  5. If the system tells you that the Guest Account is turned off, no further action is required. If you do not see a notification that the Guest Account is turned off, you will need to click Guest Account.
  6. Click Turn off the guest account.
  7. Close the Manage Accounts window.

Disable unnecessary system services

Faculty and staff: If you are unsure what services you need and which you can disable, contact the IT Help Center at (302) 831-6000 or your departmental computer support personnel (CITAs) before completing this step.

  1. Right-click this link and select Save Link as to save the file to your desktop.
  2. Right-click DisableServicesWindows7.bat and click Run as administrator to execute.
  3. When the User Account Control dialog box appears, click Yes.
  4. Press any key to continue as prompted (once at the beginning and once at the end).
  5. The window will close automatically.
  6. Restart your computer.

Reset Internet Explorer default security settings

  1. Open the Internet Explorer browser.
  2. From the Tools menu, click Internet Options. 
  3. Click the Security tab.
  4. Click Internet Zone. 
  5. Click the Default Level button if it is not grayed out.
  6. Repeat for Local Intranet, Trusted Sites, and Restricted Zones.
  7. Click the Advanced Tab.
  8. Click Restore Defaults.
  9. Click OK to close the window.

Disable file and print sharing

Faculty and staff: Make sure you do not need these services before disabling them. Contact the Help Center at (302) 831-6000, or if your department has computer support personnel (CITAs), please check with them first before completing this step.

Students: Information Technologies recommends that all items listed under Sharing and Discovery should be set to off.

  1. Click Start
  2. Click Control Panel.
  3. Click Network and Internet.
  4. Click Network and Sharing Center.
  5. Click Change adapter settings in the left column of window.
  6. Right-click Local Area Connection and select Properties on pull-down menu.
  7. Uncheck File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.
  8. Click OK to close Properties window.
  9. Repeat steps 5-8 for any other adapters (e.g., wireless network connection, etc.).