how to hide certain drive letters

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sherry
  • Start date Start date
S

Sherry

Hi all,
I have set my computer to be hidden from my users to
protect mapped network drives and the c: drive. The only
way I have found to allow access to the A: drive is to
create a shortcut icon on the all users desktop. The
only problem is that my users want to be able to save a
doc by choosing the a: drive and not have to save to
harddrive and then drag to the a: drive icon.
Is there a better way to hide individual drives?
Sherry
 
Hi Sherry,

You need to use adm files:

231289 Using Group Policy Objects to Hide Specified Drives in My Computer
for
http://kb/article.asp?id=Q231289

--
Thanks
Sabin Nair M.S(Computer Engg.), MCSE, MCSA
Directory Services Team
Microsoft Corp.

"Please do not send e-mail directly to this alias.
This alias is for newsgroup purposes only."
 
You need to customize (or write another .adm) the template file. Edit the
HideDrives value.

This is how you calculate the HideDrives value:

The registry key that this policy effects uses a decimal number which
corresponds to a 26 bit binary string, with each bit representing a drive
letter:

11111111111111111111111111
ZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA

The above configuration corresponds to 67108863 and will hide all drives. If
you only want to hide the drives: A, C, D, E, F, H and T you would do this:

00000010000000000010111101
ZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA

This would be 524477 in decimal number and hide the drives A, C, D, E, F, H
and T. This is the value that you type in as the NoDrives Value in the
policy template.

Also see the following articles:

Advanced topic: Creating custom .adm files:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows200...00/en/professional/help/sag_SPconcepts_34.htm

To add or remove an Administrative Template (.adm file):
http://www.microsoft.com/windows200...0/en/professional/help/gptext_addtemplate.htm

(URLs may be wrapped)

Regards,
/Jimmy
 
Hi Jimmy
Can you tell me if this method hides the drives in all
places such as on the right click of the start menu and
in explorer?
Thanks for your help. I haven't tried to modify .adm
files in fear of locking up or messing up other
settings. Being a non profit org I do not have testing
equipment so I have to do everything live.
Sherry
 
I haven't done it in a long time, but if memory serves they will be hidden
in explorer but not if you go to a command prompt and type the drive letter.

Regards,
/Jimmy
 
This should answer your questions:

302753 OFF2000: Office Programs Can Browse Restricted Drives
http://kb/article.asp?id=Q302753

Additionally, you may find this useful:

315191 Incorrect "Prevent Access to Drives from My Computer" Informational
http://kb/article.asp?id=Q315191

--
Thanks
Sabin Nair M.S(Computer Engg.), MCSE, MCSA
Directory Services Team
Microsoft Corp.

"Please do not send e-mail directly to this alias.
This alias is for newsgroup purposes only."
 
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