I cannot find the Local Security Policy Window in Vista :(

I cannot even put  password on my account.   I try and it says:

"Windows cannot change the password"

But there WAS no password to begin with!!

Thats 'cos the article is wrong. To enable the 'real administrator password: right click on 'Computer in the Start Menu, select Manage, Expand Local Users and Groups, Double click the administrator account.
and in the properties dialog enable the account. You should give the account a password (it hasn't got one by default)

Which version of Vista are you running?  Have you tried typing SECPOL.MSC in the Run dialog box off the Start Menu (if you have put it there) or in the Search dialog box otherwise and then hitting the Enter key?  True, because of the User Account Control feature of Vista, you will have to OK it when it dims your screen and asks for administrator permission, but that is the way I can easily bring up the Security Policy window on my Vista Ultimate Edition pc...

.., or go to control panel, administratiive tools and open the Local Security Policy from there.

KCTS,
I do not see "Local Users and Groups" or anything like that when I go to manage my Computer.  It's not there.  Local Security Policy is not in my control panel either.

LeeTutor,
I am running Vista Home Premium.  I have tried typing SECPOL.MSC also and nothing comes up.  I have tried enabling hidden and system files to be shown also in my folder options to be sure it doesnt miss anything when searching.

Neither Home version of Vista has Group Policy Support; only Business and the Ultimate Edition.

Funny it was there a couple weeks ago

I should still be able to create a password shouldnt I?

I should have said, only Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions (have Group Policy Support.)

You should have a local policy, try opening the Control Panel, select System and Maintenance, select Administrative Tools and click the Local Security Policy.

If you are the only user, then yes, you should be the Administrator; but the User Account Control feature of Vista will run you in a reduced privilege mode, so that you will need to have Admin credentials to do certain things.  See this page for more info on User Account Control:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/useraccountcontrol.mspx

Nope it's not there.  To convince you, I am going to type what is there:

Computer Management
Data Sources (ODBC)
desktop.ini
Event Viewer
iSCSI Initiator
Memory Diagnostics Tool
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Configuration
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Wizards
Reliability and Performance Monitor
Server Extensions Administrator
Services
System Configuration
Task Scheduler
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security

What happens if you go to User Accounts in Control Panel?  Are you given a link for Change your Password?  And if you click that, does it give you a window where you type in your current password, then the new password twice?

If you still can't see the policy editor there is a way around this and enabling the 'real administrator' by editing the registry. TAKE CARE if you go don this route. See http://www.interopsystems.com/tools/tm.aspx?m=10345

Hmmm I just created a new Administrator account and it let me create a password for THAT account.  Why is that I cannot create one for my account?

LeeTutor,
There is not a password yet so I get a link to Create a Password instead.  I go to a screen to type my password twice and below is a password hint.  But then it says it cannot change the password.

KCTS,
I will try that now...editing the registry.

Hmmm, you have a few items I don't have in Administrative Tools:

desktop.ini
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Configuration
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Wizards
Server Extensions Administrator

And I DO have:

Local Security Policy
Print Management

I wonder if Microsoft Net Framework is somehow causing some unusual changes to your computer?

Here is an old link to accessing the 'True Administrator' account in Vista:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9001970

This was written in the Beta days, but may still be helpful.
Vic

Here is a newer link:
http://www.errorforum.com/microsoft-windows-vista-error/2749-how-access-true-administrator-account-windows-vista.html