normal user can install software on XP

[richard.baird]

In my organisation, we do not wish to allow standard users to install
software onto Windows XP; according to WinXP documentation, only an
administrator account can install new software. This is the case in
most circumstances, e.g. if i log onto XP with a non admin account
(either a local account or a domain account) i cannot install new
software. However i am finding that this is not consistent and some
pieces of software, Google Earth for example, will install fully under
a non administrative account. Other items of software (Dotnetfx.exe)
behave as expected and will not install under a non admin account.

Can anyone offer up an explanation for this behaviour? What is it that
determines if the app will install under a non admin account?

Thanks,
Richard

 

[Jozef Izso]

When installator needs to write to protected folders (eg. Program Files,
Windows, System32, HKLM root in registry) it needs Administrators rights.

When installator writes data only to local users profile folders and
registry keys, it will successfully install the application.

In other words - application (installator) runs with rights of logged in
user. The ability to read and write to folder or registry is set by NTFS
rights:

Eg. Program Files:
Users group - can only read
Power Users group - can write to Program Files and subfolders
Administrators group - have the maximum rights.


Ad Can standard user install applications? Yes, he can. But the
application will be installed only for that user, not for whole system
or other users.

Best regards, Jozef Izso.

 

[Paul Johnson]

Can anyone offer up an explanation for this behaviour? What is it that
determines if the app will install under a non admin account?

If the software can install without changing system files, then it won't
need Administrator privileges to install. Plan your software acquisition
accordingly.