Win XP help, I'm a Mac user

[hui__lim]

Hi guys,
Not sure really where to insert this topic. I'm a Mac user, use a Powerbook, but have a question regarding Win XP (haven't really been up to date on them). I'm trying to set up my desktop so that it only allows installtion of any type of programs on the admin account, hence not allowing any installation of programs on the "Limited" type user account. I've set up a user with the "Limited" account but it still allows that particular user to install programs. Is there anyway to completely disallow users on the "Limited" account not to install any programs?
thanks
Hui

 

[Rower_CPU]

The only default user type that comes to mind is a "Guest" account.

They should be able to login, but not modify much of anything.

 

[Powerbook G5]

I had a guest account on my parent's XP Home system and it's surprising how fully you can make system altering changes with it. I can't say I know of a way to actually restrict that kind of thing under XP if it's possible.

 

[IndyGopher]

This sounds like a job for Policy Editor (Or at least it was under Windows 2000, the last OS I administered for a network) See if XP doesn't have a poledit.exe app.

 

[Mav451]

I know under Win2k there's a way to disable right click on desktop, my computer access (that includes the short cut "windows symbol + e" for explorer access)...

But alas I am on XP, and I have yet to see this done yet for an XP desktop. XP is no unix...

 

[abhishekit]

In the windows xp help is says that for a limited account, user would need permission from administrator for installing 'certain' programs. So I dont know what that means then...
my school lab has windows xp on all comps and we cannot install anything..so it sure is possible,..

 

[Westside guy]

XP home vs. XP pro

Hi,

Part of the issue is probably because this sounds like "XP Home" edition versus "XP Pro". XP Home only has two user types, while Pro uses the same range of user types as in 2000 and NT 4.

I have a little experience with Pro, not Home - but I'm guessing that the "Limited" users are similar to a Power user under Pro. So the only installation limitation would be they couldn't install a program that needed to place files in the Windows System or System32 subdirectories.

Under Pro you have a lot more options for limiting what users can do.

 

[hui__lim]

Firstly, thanks for all the input here people. I think Westside guy is right in saying that installing limitations are installing programs to Windows System/ System32. You seem to be able to install certain programs, e.g. BT allows you to be installed in a guest account but iTunes (Windows) doesn't, so guess it has something to do with installing/altering the main core of Windows.
Thanks