How do I prevent programs from installing in "All Users"?

[Rory Calhoun]

I've been researching this issue and trying to figure it out for a
long time, with no success. I'm using XP Pro, and I'm sick of having
to install programs on MY user account (I'm the Admininstrator), and
go searching for the shortcuts, which end up in All Users (and sometimes
the other user account as well)! I don't want to have to keep moving the
shortcuts from "All Users" back to my account every time I install a new
program. It shouldn't be necessary! Why can I not find a way to get Windows
XP Pro to only install programs in the account that is currently open? What
if I delete the All Users account (which I know is not easy, because Windows
doesn't want you to do that!)? Where would the shortcuts go?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I've been researching this issue and trying to figure it out for a
long time, with no success. I'm using XP Pro, and I'm sick of having
to install programs on MY user account (I'm the Admininstrator), and
go searching for the shortcuts, which end up in All Users (and
sometimes
the other user account as well)!

That's where a properly designed (for a multi-user OS) application
installation routine is supposed to place the shortcuts.

I don't want to have to keep moving the
shortcuts from "All Users" back to my account every time I install a
new
program. It shouldn't be necessary!

It isn't necessary. Leave the shortcuts where they are.

Why can I not find a way to get Windows
XP Pro to only install programs in the account that is currently
open?

Because that wopuld be contrary to good programming practices for
properly designed software.

What
if I delete the All Users account (which I know is not easy, because
Windows
doesn't want you to do that!)? Where would the shortcuts go?

You cannot delete the All Users profile, nor should you even try.
Why would you even want to do such a foolish thing? Have you
considered the option of learning a little something about the
operating system you've chosen to use?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

The Command-Line Options for the Microsoft Windows Installer Tool
Msiexec.exe: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314881


/j looks like the arg to msiexec.exe that you want

msiexec /j u my_msi.msi

 

[Guest]

Where would they go? WindowsXP will create a new Users Account by default.
Check your user accounts setup to limit access.

 

[cpemma]

That's where a properly designed (for a multi-user OS) application
installation routine is supposed to place the shortcuts.

So to take an example from Norton Systemworks 2005, only the Admin can run
the Norton System Info program, but All Users can run the Checkit system
info program bundled with it? Very logical, not.

And why has XP installed a full Admin Tools folder in All Users and an empty
one in my own? I'm the only Admin person.

It isn't necessary. Leave the shortcuts where they are.

Probably in common with Bruce, I find it simpler to keep the Start\Programs
menu tidy and functional by using Explorer to rearrange shortcuts into
various subfolder levels. Be easier if everything was in one place to start
with, a majority of home users don't use multiple profiles.And this is XP
Home I've got.

 

[Rory Calhoun]

You must have hit the wrong key and replied to the wrong message.
This advice doesn't apply to me.

"Mark L. Ferguson" <[email protected]>

 

[Rory Calhoun]

If it'll just create a new user account and put the shortcuts there,
then its not going to help. I already have another user account
with limited access, it puts shortcuts there when I don't want it to
anyway.

 

[Rory Calhoun]

Okay Brucie, let me see if I got this straight. I post a query saying
I'm fed up with Windows installing shortcuts in All Users, and I want
to have them installed in my current user adminstrator account, as they
SHOULD be, since that's the account I'm installing the program in. Your
response is to tell me it isn't "necessary" to install them in my current
user account, and to leave them in All Users, because you feel that's where
they should be. On top of that, like a true soldier in Bill Gates' army of
robots, you tell me I shouldn't even try to delete All Users, as that would
screw up the "master plan" of Gatesian order. Then, apparently because you
felt you weren't being arrogant, obtuse or obnoxious enough, you respond
by telling me I should learn more about Windows XP? Okay, my turn Brucie.

Have you considered the option of eating shit and dropping dead, you arrogant
piece of crap? You'd be just as useful to the world DEAD as you are alive.
Don't even THINK of responding to my posts any longer, moron.