Windows XP contains an extremely useful feature called User Accounts, however, few people are aware of it and use it. This tutorial will tell its pros and cons, and be a guide to setting up and managing your user accounts.

Pros
Keep the kids off of your admin account to keep them from messing up something.
Limit guests to certain privileges, so they cannot go download everything on the 'net during their stay.
Personalize your account, each user can have his own desktop, icons, and layout.

Cons
Must have an admin account to view other peoples files (unless they are in the "shared files" folder).
Doesn't offer much control over what each user can do.
Having too many accounts running at one time can slow down your system.

The Tutorial
Setting up user accounts
OK, so you have decided to set up some user accounts? Well, lets get started then.

First, go to Run, then Control Panel.
Click on "User Accounts".

You will have three tasks to choose from, "Change an account", "Create a new account", and "Change the way users log on and off". To create a new account, click "Create a new account".

The next screen that will prompt you for the name the account should be. Put in a name and press "Next".

You will then be promted to choose the account type. If this is someone who will need to modify system settings, install new software, etc., click "Computer Administrator". If it is just a basic user whom you do not want modifying system settings or installing new software, click "Limited". Press "Create Account". Repeat as necessary until you have all the accounts you need.

Managing your accounts
Now, after you return to the main screen of the User Accounts, you will see your newly created account alongside the admin account that was created when Windows was installed. You may now edit its password, change its name, change its icon, manage its permissions, or delete it by clicking on it. This will bring up a new window with an options menu. You may also have seen a "Guest" account in the User Accounts menu. This can be enabled or disabled depending on your preferences. This account is for use by houseguests and is the most limited of all accounts.

Final Remarks
Setting up user accounts is not as hard as it may seem, and now each member of your family has a customizable interface where they can express themselves without forcing it on everyone else. If you have any questions, feel free to make a post here in the help forums.