Install for Self Only or Everyone

[Guest]

When installing a program, the user often must choose whether to install for
just the present user or "everyone." When the present user _is_
everyone--when only the owner uses the machine--which is the better choice
and what difference does it make?

I reflexively choose "everyone," because I figured any artificial obstacles
to using the program would not then arise. Now I think maybe the "self only"
installation is the more permissive, since the computer knows the person
using the program has all the rights.

Which is it?

 

[Pop`]

When installing a program, the user often must choose whether to
install for just the present user or "everyone." When the present
user _is_ everyone--when only the owner uses the machine--which is
the better choice and what difference does it make?

I reflexively choose "everyone," because I figured any artificial
obstacles to using the program would not then arise. Now I think
maybe the "self only" installation is the more permissive, since the
computer knows the person using the program has all the rights.

Which is it?

It really doesn't matter in your present situation. However, down the line,
if you installed something for yourself only, adding another user would not
let that user have access to the installed program.
When you install for yourself only, the files will reside under your own
username only. If you install for everyone, they'll reside in the system
user file folders instead; All Users or Default User, and so on.
An advantage to installing for yourself is that only you will have access
to the settings and optimizations for th eprogram and no one else down the
line if you add users. Installed for everyone, everyone would have the
ability to use and customize the program.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

When installing a program, the user often must choose whether to
install for just the present user or "everyone." When the present
user _is_ everyone--when only the owner uses the machine--which is
the better choice and what difference does it make?

With a single user, there is no difference. However, if you ever add another
user in the future, the difference will show up.