Multiple Users - Sort of...

[Guest]

We're running XP Professional on our machines at work. We're a remodeling
company in the process of preparing for trade shows coming up. What I want to
do is set up our computers (from the office) at the show in such a way that
when a prospective customer walks up to one of the computers, all they see is
the three product folders we want them to see, without any other icons at the
left and hopefully, without the Start menu at the bottom.

A. Is this possible on the same computer? Is this a "Create new user"
situation and,

B. if so, how do I "turn off" access to those other icons?

Thank you for your help!

 

[Jon Erlandson]

To remove the icons from the desktop - right click on the desktop > arrange
icons by > uncheck "show desktop icons." To hide the taskbar - right click
taskbar and select "properties" and check "Auto Hide Taskbar." To bring the
taskbar back up - move the mouse curser to the very bottom of the screen
(which may or not be problematic for you) and you may want to put the
"Desktop" on the taskbar by right clicking the taskbar > toolbars and select
"Desktop." You might also play around with "active desktop" which I'm not
that familiar with.

 

[Jon Erlandson]

A couple things came to mind...
You should create a new user and modify that desktop. By hiding the icons I
think everything you add to the desktop gets hidden Instead remove them
so that you can start with an empty slate.

Remove Recycle Bin from Desktop
http://www.tweakxp.com/tweak1372.aspx

How to Remove Default Desktop Icons in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315272

How to enable / disable active desktop
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000593.htm

Active Desktop allows for a HTML (web page) based development and so you
could probably add active content (slide shows, flash or shockwave programs,
ActiveX and the like.)

 

[Guest]

Jon,

Thank you very much! I'll put your suggestions to work and let you know how
things work out.

Thanks again,

George