How do I undo filed, left-clicked and dragged to desktop

[Pete]

Hi,

My new computer is less than a week old and my son has messed it up
already. Since he is home when I am not, he created user accounts for
all of us who will be using the computer, all being adminstrators, and
proceeded to modify his desktop. He went to start, all programs,
microsoft office, and left clicked word and dragged it to his desktop.
Now, when using a different account, those applications are not
accessible. He did this with several applications and games. I tried
a system restore but it would not work from the earliest date to
restore the system to out of the box condition.

Any suggessions are welcome. Oh yeah, he's banned from using it until
this is fixed.

Pete

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Pete,

System Restore is not designed to restore a system to it's original
state. Run System Restore an choose a date just before the changes were
made.

All About System Restore in WinXP
http://bertk.mvps.org

 

[Pete]

Thanks Bert. But to expand on what I said earlier, the system restore
would do it's thing, restart the computer and then give a message
saying the restore was incomplete and choose another restore point.
Like I said, I've only had this box less than a week so I don't have
many restore points to choose from. Apart from a restore, is there
anything else to try?

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Pete,

Try performing a restore from Safe Mode.

All About System Restore in WinXP
http://bertk.mvps.org/

You can also reverse the process by dragging the icon to there original
location.

This article help explain how to share application between accounts.

Installing and running software in Windows XP by Rick Rogers MS-MVP
http://rickrogers.org/xpsware.htm

 

[Enkidu]

Hi,

My new computer is less than a week old and my son has messed it up
already. Since he is home when I am not, he created user accounts for
all of us who will be using the computer, all being adminstrators, and
proceeded to modify his desktop. He went to start, all programs,
microsoft office, and left clicked word and dragged it to his desktop.
Now, when using a different account, those applications are not
accessible. He did this with several applications and games. I tried
a system restore but it would not work from the earliest date to
restore the system to out of the box condition.

Use explorer and navigate to his 'desktop' folder under
C:\documents and Settings\<his account>.

It may be a few layers down. Select the items that are in the wrong
place and cut and past them to the microsoft Office folder. You may have
to dump them on your desktop first.

I think that will work. I can't remember where in the folder hierarchy
these folders are and I don't have access to an XP machine at the
moment, but they are there. All the items in the start menu etc are
available directly in the file system. You just have to find them.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Guest]

Pete-

In order to create shortcuts on the desktop, go to the application you want
in "All Programs," right-click, go to "Send To" and click "Desktop (create
shortcut)." That way, the users will be able to access the programs from the
Start menu, and only the users that created shortcuts will have them on the
desktop. Be sure to tell your son so he can use the computer again

 

[Pete]

I think I've got a handle on it now. The link to
http://rickrogers.org/xpsware.htm that Bert provided went into detail
on Cliff's suggestion. Thanks to you both!

Regards,

Pete

 

[Bert Kinney]

You're welcome Pete.