limiting software installation to specific user(s)

[MS]

Many software packages now ask, during installation, whether the
installation is limited to the current user/installer or if it's for all
users. If a package does not have this option, how do you accomplish this?
Case in point: I have recently reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled
all software and restored data. I then created a limited user account for
my wife (which I have done before). However, when she logs in to her
account, several applications (that are not in either my or her startup
folder but can be viewed in MSCONFIG) attempt to start. Active Sync starts
looking for a handheld device (I have an iPAQ) which she does not have,
Zinio Reader attempts to open an account (I used it to download and read my
PC Magazine subscription), etc. She ends up with about 10 dialogue boxes
all stacked up, each one requesting an account name, a button click, etc. I
am not certain why this has happened since the reformat and reinstall
procedure is the same each time, but this is the first time I have faced
these problems. I'd appreciate any suggestions as to where I can find
information regarding this part of XP administration.

 

[Walter Clayton]

Two things of quick note. A lot of applications handle automatic startup via
the registry rather than the "startup" folder and if an application is
configured or defaulted to all users it may use the "All Users" startup
folder. Fortunately, MSConfig will tell you where a given application has
hooked it self. When looking at MSConfig you'll see, generally, one of four
locations referenced.

"Common Startup" refers to "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup". Any thing will be auto started for all users of the
machine.
"Startup" refers to your personal startup folder located in C:\Documents and
Settings\[user]\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
The other two references are in the registry.
"HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" will launch an
application for all users of the machines.
"HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" is user specific
launch.

If there is an item in "Common Startup" that you want to launch specific to
yourself, then you can cut and paste from the "all user" startup folder into
your personal startup folder. However, if the startup item is in the HKLM
part of the registry things get a bit tricky. You have to manually copy the
data to the HKCU part of the registry and delete it from the HKLM part of
the registry. I'll hold off on how to do that at present until you have a
chance to see if you can simply move stuff around via the startup folders.
Playing with the registry is dangerous.

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp

 

[MS]

Unfortunately, they are not in the "all user" startup folder either. I can
see what direction you are heading and would appreciate more detail.
Thanks.

Two things of quick note. A lot of applications handle automatic startup via
the registry rather than the "startup" folder and if an application is
configured or defaulted to all users it may use the "All Users" startup
folder. Fortunately, MSConfig will tell you where a given application has
hooked it self. When looking at MSConfig you'll see, generally, one of four
locations referenced.

"Common Startup" refers to "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup". Any thing will be auto started for all users of the
machine.
"Startup" refers to your personal startup folder located in C:\Documents and
Settings\[user]\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
The other two references are in the registry.
"HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" will launch an
application for all users of the machines.
"HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" is user specific
launch.

If there is an item in "Common Startup" that you want to launch specific to
yourself, then you can cut and paste from the "all user" startup folder into
your personal startup folder. However, if the startup item is in the HKLM
part of the registry things get a bit tricky. You have to manually copy the
data to the HKCU part of the registry and delete it from the HKLM part of
the registry. I'll hold off on how to do that at present until you have a
chance to see if you can simply move stuff around via the startup folders.
Playing with the registry is dangerous.

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp

Many software packages now ask, during installation, whether the
installation is limited to the current user/installer or if it's for all
users. If a package does not have this option, how do you accomplish this?
Case in point: I have recently reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled
all software and restored data. I then created a limited user account for
my wife (which I have done before). However, when she logs in to her
account, several applications (that are not in either my or her startup
folder but can be viewed in MSCONFIG) attempt to start. Active Sync starts
looking for a handheld device (I have an iPAQ) which she does not have,
Zinio Reader attempts to open an account (I used it to download and read my
PC Magazine subscription), etc. She ends up with about 10 dialogue boxes
all stacked up, each one requesting an account name, a button click,

etc.

I
am not certain why this has happened since the reformat and reinstall
procedure is the same each time, but this is the first time I have faced
these problems. I'd appreciate any suggestions as to where I can find
information regarding this part of XP administration.

 

[Gene K]

To add a bit about Startup CPL [actually it is "Startup Control Panel" and
is written by Mike Lin], I have it and it works well. It is free although
his site will ask for a Tip ($.50 or a dollar or whatever to help with
Costs).
Gene

Before getting into the nitty gritty I just did some checking. I'd been
thinking about writing something like this, but why reinvent the wheel?

I just did a quick test of this and it seems OK. Go here
http://www.onlythebestfreeware.com/program.asp?program_id=82 and download
StartupCPL. Extract the executable then run it. You can right click an item
and "send to" any of the other major startup areas without having to launch
regedit or explorer.


--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp

Unfortunately, they are not in the "all user" startup folder either. I can
see what direction you are heading and would appreciate more detail.
Thanks.

Two things of quick note. A lot of applications handle automatic

startup
via

the registry rather than the "startup" folder and if an application is
configured or defaulted to all users it may use the "All Users" startup
folder. Fortunately, MSConfig will tell you where a given application has
hooked it self. When looking at MSConfig you'll see, generally, one of four
locations referenced.

"Common Startup" refers to "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup". Any thing will be auto started for all users

of
the

machine.
"Startup" refers to your personal startup folder located in

C:\Documents
and

Settings\[user]\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
The other two references are in the registry.
"HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" will launch an
application for all users of the machines.
"HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" is user specific
launch.

If there is an item in "Common Startup" that you want to launch

specific
to

yourself, then you can cut and paste from the "all user" startup

folder
into

your personal startup folder. However, if the startup item is in the HKLM
part of the registry things get a bit tricky. You have to manually

copy
the

data to the HKCU part of the registry and delete it from the HKLM part of
the registry. I'll hold off on how to do that at present until you

have

a account
for