can't use msconfig on some PCs

[alice]

I manage several XP PCs, and on some (but not most) I cannot run
msconfig to edit the list of startup programs.
I get a permission denied error.
Is there any way to either change this so that when logged in as User
I can run msconfig
or
is there another way to control the startup list?
I can log in as Admin and change it, but it obviously only affects
that login, because when I log in as the user, the programs I turned
off are still starting up there.

 

[kpo]

Make a shortcut to msconfig: %windir%\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\msconfig.exe

and then right-click and use 'run as' to run with admin rights.

 

[WTC]

You will need to edit the start-programs from within the user's registry. If
you use a RUN AS command then you will be editing your user account profile
and not the user's start-up profile.

The simplest way is to relax the restriction for msconfig temporarily or
give the user Admin privileges temporarily to change their start-up
information with msconfig.

You could also use Microsoft's Autoruns that will allow you to run the
program from your user account. You then can switch users from the file menu
within Autoruns and edit their start-up information.

AutoRuns for Windows v8.61
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/autoruns.mspx

 

[alice]

You will need to edit the start-programs from within the user's registry. If
you use a RUN AS command then you will be editing your user account profile
and not the user's start-up profile.

The simplest way is to relax the restriction for msconfig temporarily or
give the user Admin privileges temporarily to change their start-up
information with msconfig.

I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out, is how do I relax those
restrictions? On some of my PCs it does run as the user account, so
there must be a setting somewhere that is different, but I can't seem
to find it.

 

[WTC]

I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out, is how do I relax those
restrictions? On some of my PCs it does run as the user account, so
there must be a setting somewhere that is different, but I can't seem
to find it.

If you are trying to turn off programs that belong in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
registry area or any Services then you will need Administrative privileges.

Check to see if the Accounts that can access msconfig have Administrative
privileges. Limited Users will not have access to the msconfig tool.

Do you have Zone Alarm or other security products that may be blocking
msconfig? If you do, try turning off these program and try to access
msconfig.