LIMIT programs that a GUEST can run

[jeffreyswilson]

I have setup a GUEST user ID in my XP Home environment, but need to
know how to limit what programs a guest can run. I have limited the
data, so even though they can (for instance) open Turbo Tax, they
cannot see the data files. I would like to change my setup so that they
only see the icons that I want them to see and only the selected
programs show up on their ALL PROGRAMS menu from the Start key. I hope
this is clear. If anyone can give me directions or point me to a
website that has this, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[Steven L Umbach]

You should be managing folder/file NTFS permissions to make sure that the
users can only run and access those programs/files you authorize and not
count on them not being able to see icons or shortcuts alone. You can manage
what they see as far as icons and shortcuts by logging on as an
administrator and making sure that the documents and settings\all
users\desktop, documents and settings\all users\start menu\programs,
documents and settings\username\desktop and documents and
settings\username\start menu\programs folder contain only those shortcuts
you want that user to see. When a user logs onto the computer what they see
is a combination of what is in their user profile and all users profile
folders for those shortcuts. The first link below shows how to manage NTFS
folder/file permissions and the second link is to the free Shared Computer
Toolkit from Microsoft that can help you lock down users on your computer
and comes with excellent documentation on how to manage what users see on
their desktop. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sharedaccess/default.mspx --- Shared
Computer Tookit

 

[jeffreyswilson]

Fantastic! THANKS VERY MUCH!

You should be managing folder/file NTFS permissions to make sure that the
users can only run and access those programs/files you authorize and not
count on them not being able to see icons or shortcuts alone. You can manage
what they see as far as icons and shortcuts by logging on as an
administrator and making sure that the documents and settings\all
users\desktop, documents and settings\all users\start menu\programs,
documents and settings\username\desktop and documents and
settings\username\start menu\programs folder contain only those shortcuts
you want that user to see. When a user logs onto the computer what they see
is a combination of what is in their user profile and all users profile
folders for those shortcuts. The first link below shows how to manage NTFS
folder/file permissions and the second link is to the free Shared Computer
Toolkit from Microsoft that can help you lock down users on your computer
and comes with excellent documentation on how to manage what users see on
their desktop. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sharedaccess/default.mspx --- Shared
Computer Tookit