What are the benifits and disadvantages of having multiple user acounts on a home computer?

Question

We just bought a new computer, and I'm trying to decide whether to have everyone have their own user accounts, or to have everybody share one. Would multiple accounts use up more memory?

Answer 1

Having multiple accounts won't use up any more memory if you log-off each account after using it.  You can "Switch User" in some versions of Windows though.  This leaves one account loaded into memory whilst you use the other account(s).  Log-off each account before loading another & you will be fine.  (If you have a high powered machine though, you probably wouldn't even notice - use switch user if you fancy it!)

Having separate accounts will enable each family member to personalise their own preferences.  (Background wallpapers, screensavers etc).

Having multiple accounts can be a pain to a techie who might have to 'clean up' a messed up computer, because changes/virus scans etc have to be done on each account, rather than just having the one to sort out.  (Not your problem though!).

Really, it's purely down to personal preference.  What ever settings you choose to use - it's your computer after all!

Have fun!