Dual Booting ?

[Jeffrey Poche]

I am presently moving from ME to XP Pro and planning on
dual booting. My family shares this computer and I want to
secure a clean system without all the "junk downloads" My
reason is the problems encountered with extremely large
registry files and slowed startup and response. Question,
Does XP Pro create multiple registry settings for each
user? or should I go with dual booting to protect a safe
and clean environment for my use?

Thanks

 

[Bill Frisbee [ MVP]]

Jeffrey,

Yes XP creates a profile for every user that logs in. I honestly don't know
what dual booting is going to give you for an advantage. If you want to make
a safe environment, use XP and make sure the users you are trying to protect
don't have Admin rights, ensure that you are using the Internet Firewall and
since you are using Professional, you can use EFS to protect the stuff on
your computer from other memebers of your family.

Bill F (Windows Setup MVP)

 

[BobDelaney]

I see no advantage whatsoever, and several downsides, to dual booting in
this instance. Use your Upgrade CD, and do a clean install, rebuilding the
computer's hard drive from the ground up. This way you get a maximum-quality
'clean' machine with no trace of Me on it.
Restrict rights and permissions through User Profiles to prevent other
family members from installing resource-hog applications on the machine. For
more info, buy the book "Windows XP Inside Out" from Microsoft Press, which
will prove invaluable to you in doing this.