Which type of account is used to run services or scheduled tasks without user intervention?

Service accounts are specifically designed to run specific services or scheduled tasks without requiring user intervention. These accounts operate in the background and are utilized by applications, services, or system processes to perform automated functions, such as running a web server or database service.

A key characteristic of service accounts is that they typically have lower privilege levels compared to administrative accounts, ensuring that they only have access necessary for their designated functions. The use of service accounts also enhances security by limiting the exposure of higher-level accounts and reducing the risk of credential misuse.

This distinct purpose of running services autonomously sets service accounts apart from user accounts, which are intended for individual users; guest accounts, which provide limited access for temporary users; and default accounts, which are typically preset accounts created by systems or applications with standard configurations. Each of these alternative account types does not serve the specific function of managing and executing scheduled tasks or services without user interaction.