How to prevent Internet Explorer shortcuts for new users

  • Thread starter Thread starter Barry Koopersmith
  • Start date Start date
B

Barry Koopersmith

I want to setup the default user profile for a number of Windows 2000
computers so that when a new user logs in, there will be no Internet
Explorer shortcuts on the "Desktop" or on the "Quick Launch" bar. I
configured a typical user, deleted those two Internet Explorer
shortcuts, logged back in as Administrator and copied that typical user
profile to the "Default User" profile. I then created a new user and
logged in as that new user but although that new user gets all the other
configuration changes I made for that default user, the Internet
Explorer shortcuts are placed back on the "Desktop" and on the "Quick
Launch" bar the first time that user logs in. Those Internet Explorer
shortcuts are not found in the "Desktop" or in the "Quick Launch"
folders under the "Default User" (and it is not under "All Users"
either) so it must be coming from someplace else.

If there was a way to completely uninstall Internet Explorer version 6
without damaging something else, that would be acceptable too. I tried
the Microsoft technical note for that but it causes other problems.

What do I need to do to prevent those two Internet Explorer shortcuts
from appearing for a new user?

My intent is to prevent users from accessing the Internet. I also delete
all the copies of "iexplore.exe" from the computer so the shortcuts will
not work anyway but I would like them not to be there for "cosmetic"
reasons. There may be a more elegant way to accomplish what I want to do
but I thought this method would work.

Thanks to anyone who can help me out.
 
I would have thought that removing internet access at a desktop level would
be a little tedious. Perhaps you could block port 80 or similar. Maybe
install a proxy with authentication??

You could also give them an alternative gateway to nowhere (depending on
your network setup) through dhcp.

There are benefits to having explorer available such as creating an intranet
with some phone numbers or help files on it. Doesnt have to be huge but
this is the way we distribute our phone list and workplace news with great
results.

Having said that, most of what you want to accomplish can be done in group
policy.

-Matt


-Matt
 
Where in group policy would be the setting to prevent the two Internet
Explorer shortcuts from appearing for a new user?
 
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