Prevent users from searching computers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I have a windows 2003 domain with xp clients. I want to disable "search for
computers" in start menu search. The users must be able to search for files
or folders. I have tried the following: Disable via group policy: No
computers near me in my network places, No entire network in my network
places.
Delete the registry key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FindExtensions\Static\ShellSearch\1
None from the above seem to work. Any sugestions?
Thanks in advance.
 
Update on this one.
I have now been able to restrict the search to only "files and folders" on a
Windows 2003 TS for users

This is what I had to do

Step 1:
Add this key on your XP or TS to use the classic search

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CabinetState\

New string Value
Use Search Asst no

Step 2:
Limit permissions in the registry:


"Machine\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FindExtensions\ShellFindInDirectory"

"Machine\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FindExtensions\Static\OutlookFind"

"Machine\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FindExtensions\Static\ShellSearch\1"

"Machine\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FindExtensions\Static\ShellSearch\2"

"Machine\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FindExtensions\Static\WebSearch"

"Machine\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FindExtensions\Static\WabFind"

emove Users, give only SYSTEM and Administrators full control on these keys
This only allows to use the file&folder search


Step 3:

Edit the XML file

C:\WINDOWS\srchasst\mui\0409\lcladvdf.xml

remove this part

<Link Id="5643" IconId="290" TopMargin="10">
<Text>

<![CDATA[Other &search options]]>
</Text>
<ToolTip>
<![CDATA[Search the Internet, computers on the network,
printers, etc.]]>
</ToolTip>
</Link>
<Link Id="5000" IconId="24001" TopMargin="5"
BottomMargin="8">
<Text><![CDATA[Chan&ge
preferences]]></Text>
</Link>


Remember that "0409" is for the default English language version of the
search files. So if you install the MUI pack, you will have different folders
for every language and therefore several “lcladvdf.xml†files to edit.
 
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