Hi, finally got Windows XP and surprise I like it.
I have a small partition for my older Winme and
it is FAT32. I can see the files on it from XP, but
can I run some of the programs that are on it?
I have the only Internet connection in our house
on my computer, and I want to only let the limit
users I created get on the internet and use a few
programs. Office 2000 and IExplorer etc. but
when I log in as the other users I saw all the
programs that I installed in their Start menu.
How can I limit access to the programs I installed
for me?
I have XP home edition.
Programs installed on WinME partition: Maybe yes, maybe no.
If the programs can run by simply double clicking on their EXE file, yes.
Create a shortcut to them in your start menu or on your desktop.
If the programs rely on registry entries to run, you will need to log on to
your XP account. Then install the program. In most cases it is best to
install have a second installation of the program residing in the XP
partition. Reason: Many programs will setup differently for XP than than
they did for ME. They may even install a different file set for Win2000 and
WinXP. You'll know which ones these are when double clicking on the EXE
file brings up an error message instead of the program.
Internet Connection: While logged on to your account, double click your
internet connection item in Network Connections. There are two choices
available here: "only for me" and "anyone who uses this computer." The
anyone choice will allow Limited User (but not the Guest account) to start
that internet connection.
Limiting programs: Various options here and some depend on what the program
offers.
--When you install a program, setup may ask "for this account only" or "for
all users."
NOTE: Some programs, such as some versions of Office, may require you to
run setup while logged on to each user's account. This is simply to get
registry entries and personal folders setup for that user. If prompted for
a location for installing the program , select the same folder where the
program is already installed. The setup program should be smart enough to
install the portions necessary but you can use RunAs if necessary. See Help
and Support for more information on RunAs.
--If a program automatically sets up for all users, move the start menu
shortcut from All Users Start Menu folders into the Start Menu folders of
the specific users that will have access to the program.
This is more of an organizing tactic than based on restrictions: By default
and when NTFS is used, limited users do not have access to the Program
Files folders and subfolders. Using Windows Explorer, they would not be
able to find the EXE to create a shortcut. However, they may be able to get
the program to start by using Start> Run.
Getting deeper into permissions and policies is tricky in XP Home due to
the Simple File Sharing that it uses. You could boot to Safe Mode and work
with more advanced controls over files and folders but this is not always
convenient or clearcut. MVP Doug Knox has made a nice utility for XP Home
administrators. It includes the ability to restrict program use. The
program is free to try. Free to use in limited mode. And is reasonably
priced ($10) for a full featured licensed copy:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm