Allow Win2K User Account to Install USB Devices?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Toni
  • Start date Start date
T

Toni

I have a Windows 2000 Power user account. I'd like to be able to install drivers (ex:
plug in a USB scanner) without having to reboot into an administrator-level account.

What permissions can I add to my Power User account so that it can install new USB
devices?

Or, is there a way I can do an admin Run As... to allow the drivers to be installed?

Thanks!

Toni
 
In the Group Policy:

Computer Configuration\
Windows Settings\
Local Policies\
User Rights Assignment\

Load and unload device drivers.

John
 
John John (MVP) said:
In the Group Policy:

Computer Configuration\
Windows Settings\
Local Policies\
User Rights Assignment\

Load and unload device drivers.
Click to expand...

Does this work differently in Windows 2000 than it does in Windows XP?
The reason I ask is because of http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326473.
Although it focuses on PNP printer installations, it applies to all PNP
driver installations. One of the key points brought out in this article
is the true nature of Load and unload device drivers, and the fact that
ONLY Administrators have a high enough ACL to make persistent changes to
the computer, which includes installing new hardware drivers. My
experience with both XP and Vista bears this out, but I don't know how
Windows 2000 handles it and don't have a test machine here at work to
verify it one way or the other.
 
Zaphod said:
Does this work differently in Windows 2000 than it does in Windows XP?
The reason I ask is because of http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326473.
Although it focuses on PNP printer installations, it applies to all PNP
driver installations. One of the key points brought out in this article
is the true nature of Load and unload device drivers, and the fact that
ONLY Administrators have a high enough ACL to make persistent changes to
the computer, which includes installing new hardware drivers. My
experience with both XP and Vista bears this out, but I don't know how
Windows 2000 handles it and don't have a test machine here at work to
verify it one way or the other.
Click to expand...

Windows 2000 also has a policy just for printer drivers.

John
 
John John (MVP) said:
Windows 2000 also has a policy just for printer drivers.
Click to expand...

Presumably you are referring to the Security Option "Devices: Prevent
users from installing printer drivers" which only affects installing
printer drivers as a part of adding a network printer, and doesn't
affect Power Users in any case. I still don't think that Windows 2000
is any different than Windows XP when if comes to allowing
non-administrators to install drivers, regardless of the load and unload
drivers policy. Hopefully the OP will report back with his findings.
 
Zaphod said:
Presumably you are referring to the Security Option "Devices: Prevent
users from installing printer drivers" which only affects installing
printer drivers as a part of adding a network printer, and doesn't
affect Power Users in any case. I still don't think that Windows 2000
is any different than Windows XP when if comes to allowing
non-administrators to install drivers, regardless of the load and unload
drivers policy. Hopefully the OP will report back with his findings.
Click to expand...

Load and unload device drivers
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/gp/543.mspx?mfr=true

John
 
Back
Top