Domain User Accounts

The domain user account stores information about the user, such as, the username, password, and the logon name. The domain user account validates the user when the user logs on to a Windows Server 2003 domain. The domain user account verifies the user information and enables the user to access resources when the user attempts to logon to the domain.

Windows Server 2003 enables you to create a domain user account only after configuring the Windows Server 2003 computer as a domain Controller. Consider a scenario, a candidate, Steve Martins is appointed as a Technical Support Executive. You, as the system administrator, have been assigned the task to create a user account for Steve Martins to enable him to work on the domain.

To create a Domain User Account for Steve Martins:

1. Select All Programs > Administrative Tools > Active Directory Users and Computers. The Active Directory Users and Computers console appears.

2. Click Users. The list of users appears.

3. Select Action > New > User. The New Object - User dialog box appears,

The different options on the New Object - User dialog box are:

> First name - Specifies the first name for the user

> Initials - Specifies the initials for the user

> Last Name - Specifies the last name for the user

> Full name - Specifies the complete name for the user account

> User logon name - Specifies the name the user will use to logon to the network

> User logon name (pre-Windows 2000) - Specifies the name the user will use to logon to the network

> a version earlier than Windows 2000

4. Enter Steve in the First name text box.

5. Enter Martins in the Last name text box.

6. Enter Steve in the User logon name text box.

7. Click Next. The Password screen appears.


The different options available on the Password screens are:

> Password - Specifies to enter a password for the user account

> Confirm password - Specifies to renter the password for the user account for confirmation

> User must change password at next logon - Specifies that the user must change the password at the next logon

> User cannot change password - Prevents the user from changing the password

> Password never expires - Specifies that the password must never be changed

> Account is disabled - Specifies that the user cannot use the account to access the computer

8. Enter a password for Steve’s account in the Password text box.

9. Re-enter the password for Steve’s account in the Confirm password text box.

10. Select the User must change password at next logon check box.

11. Click Next. The Summary screen appears.

12. Click Finish. Windows Server 2003 creates the account and lists the account under Users in the Active Directory Users and Computers console.