Microsoft made many changes to the operating system so that standard users could perform almost any day-to-day task. Tasks that standard users can do without receiving a UAC prompt that requires administrative privileges in Windows XP include:

• Viewing the system clock and calendar
• Changing the time zone
• Connecting to wired or wireless networks
• Connecting to virtual private networks (VPNs)
• Changing display settings and the desktop background
• Changing their own passwords
• Installing critical Windows updates
• Installing device drivers that have been staged
• Scheduling tasks
• Adding printers and other devices that have the required drivers installed on the computer or that are allowed by an administrator in Group Policy
• Installing ActiveX Controls from sites approved by an administrator
• Playing or burning CDs and DVDs (configurable with Group Policy settings)
• Connecting to another computer with Remote Desktop
• Configuring battery power options on mobile computers
• Configuring accessibility settings
• Configuring and using synchronization with a mobile device
• Connecting and configuring a Bluetooth device
• Restoring backed-up files from the same user

Additionally, disk defragmentation is scheduled to happen automatically in the background, so users do not need privileges to initiate a defragmentation manually. Some of the common tasks standard users cannot do include:

• Installing and uninstalling applications
• Installing device drivers that have not been staged
• Installing noncritical Windows updates
• Changing Windows Firewall settings, including enabling exceptions
• Configuring Remote Desktop access
• Restoring system files from a backup
• Installing ActiveX controls from sites not approved by an administrator