Modifying Guest User features

  • Thread starter Thread starter mike
  • Start date Start date
M

mike

This is a new computer and we are new to Windows XP. We have 2 users
and 'Guest" user. I changed the file association for .WAV files from
Musicmatch to Media Player under my user id. Now I want to make the
same change for the Guest user but I am unable to do so. How would I
accomplish this?
Thanks for any and all help.
 
In media player click on options then file types then select wav files and
that should do it. But i recommend that you disable the Guest account and
create a limited user account because some virus and trojans attack the
default guest account and will cause allot of problems.
 
mike said:
This is a new computer and we are new to Windows XP. We have 2 users
and 'Guest" user. I changed the file association for .WAV files from
Musicmatch to Media Player under my user id. Now I want to make the
same change for the Guest user but I am unable to do so. How would I
accomplish this?
Thanks for any and all help.
Click to expand...

The Guest account is not for when you have visitors and are feeling
hospitable. It is a System account for when someone needs to sit down
at the computer and do a few things. It is usually disabled for
security reasons.

Instead, make a new user account called "Visitor" or the like. Then
you'll be able to set it up the way you want.

Malke
 
Malke said:
mike wrote:




The Guest account is not for when you have visitors and are feeling
hospitable. It is a System account for when someone needs to sit down
at the computer and do a few things.
Click to expand...

While that is true it's primary intended use is for system use with
Simple File Sharing. I wouldn't use it for anything else and turn it off
or disable it if SFS is not being used.
It is usually disabled for
security reasons.
Click to expand...

Or at least turned off as a local login available (doesn't actually
disable it for system use.)
Instead, make a new user account called "Visitor" or the like. Then
you'll be able to set it up the way you want.

Malke
Click to expand...

Right.

Steve
 
Steve said:
Malke wrote:


While that is true it's primary intended use is for system use with
Simple File Sharing. I wouldn't use it for anything else and turn it
off or disable it if SFS is not being used.
Click to expand...

Actually, Steve Winograd (who I consider my Network Guru) says that the
Guest account you see in the User Accounts applet is different than the
guest account for network sharing. He says the Guest user account is to
enable someone without an account to log in on the local machine, where
the network guest lets someone without an account on the target
computer to get resources. They sound similar to me, but what can I
say? We don't allow no steenkin' guests in *nix anyway. ;-)

Malke
 
Malke said:
Steve N. wrote:




Actually, Steve Winograd (who I consider my Network Guru) says that the
Guest account you see in the User Accounts applet is different than the
guest account for network sharing. He says the Guest user account is to
enable someone without an account to log in on the local machine, where
the network guest lets someone without an account on the target
computer to get resources.
Click to expand...

Applet, schmapplet. I think he's wrong. The Guest account is _the_ Guest
account. Disable it, remove it, nuke it, mung until no good and see if
SFS works. I bet it won't.
They sound similar to me, but what can I
say? We don't allow no steenkin' guests in *nix anyway. ;-)

Malke
Click to expand...

Damn straight, girl.

Steve N.
 
Malke said:
Steve N. wrote:




Actually, Steve Winograd (who I consider my Network Guru) says that the
Guest account you see in the User Accounts applet is different than the
guest account for network sharing. He says the Guest user account is to
enable someone without an account to log in on the local machine, where
the network guest lets someone without an account on the target
computer to get resources. They sound similar to me, but what can I
say? We don't allow no steenkin' guests in *nix anyway. ;-)

Malke
Click to expand...

.... Maybe what Steve W means is that turning off the Guest account in
the applet does not disable it for system purposes, which is true, but
it is still the same account. There's a KB article on it but I don't
have it handy ATM.

Steve
 
It seems wrong that we have this User called Guest and all its
preferences have been set and there is nothing we can do about it!!!
 
mike said:
It seems wrong that we have this User called Guest and all its
preferences have been set and there is nothing we can do about it!!!
Click to expand...

It's there by design so that on a small network shared resources can
accessed without validating to the host. It's a method of file and
printer sharing more along the lines of Windows 9x for folks who don't
need or want full NT security validation required for such simple
sharing. Sure there's something you can do about it. Don't use it.
Create a different user for your purpose as was suggested.

Steve N.
 
Steve said:
... Maybe what Steve W means is that turning off the Guest account in
the applet does not disable it for system purposes, which is true, but
it is still the same account. There's a KB article on it but I don't
have it handy ATM.
Click to expand...
Yes, I expect you're right about that. It did seem to me that it would
have to be the same account, but I figured well, it's Windows and we
all know how much MS likes to name completely unrelated items the same
(Office XP, Windows XP, etc.).... I think that your interpretation of
Steve W.'s comments are right and I'm sure he didn't think it was two
accounts. I'm sure I misinterpreted what he wrote.

I'll tell you, that Guest enabled by default in Home is a really stupid
idea anyway. It played havoc when I was setting up a Samba server at my
kid's school until my tech friend and I looked at each other and said,
"ohhh, those workstations are *Home* Edition". I'm so used to Pro and
not ever having Guest enabled that it hadn't occurred to me to set up
"allowGuest" in Samba. It was painful to me to do it, too. ;-)

Best regards,

Malke
 
Back
Top