Problem between XP users

[Guest]

I am having a problem with programs not being listed in the Start Menu for
different users......(I have XP Pro 5.1)

All of the programs that I have installed on our computer will show up under
"Programs" in the Start Menu on MY desktop. But when my husband goes to his
desktop, several of the programs will NOT be listed under "Programs" on his
menu. What's the problem?

I have even tried deleting his XP login account and creating a new user.
The programs listed on the Start Menu for the new user are still not a
complete list.

By the way, both of our accounts are setup as Computer Administrators.

Any suggestions?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I am having a problem with programs not being listed in the Start
Menu for different users......(I have XP Pro 5.1)

All of the programs that I have installed on our computer will show
up under "Programs" in the Start Menu on MY desktop. But when my
husband goes to his desktop, several of the programs will NOT be
listed under "Programs" on his menu. What's the problem?

I have even tried deleting his XP login account and creating a new
user. The programs listed on the Start Menu for the new user are
still not a complete list.

By the way, both of our accounts are setup as Computer Administrators.

Any suggestions?

Yes - I do have a suggestion or two - learn to use your computer in the
manner it was meant to be used - a multi-user operating system. Windows XP
is and will remain a MultiUser OS. If you delete some of the
users in the Documents and Settings directory, you will affect your user and
possibly other things. It could cause things you had set to go missing and
the directories, in most cases, will recreate themselves.

You need to learn to use the All Users sub directory in Documents and
Settings. It is a manual process for some applications because they were
not designed with a multi-user winodws in mind. You just have to copy/move
icons/shortcuts you want for everyone into the All Users Start Menu or All
Users Desktop. This way... All Users see it.

HOW TO: Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783&Product=winxp

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and
Folders in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308419&Product=winxp

Doug's Windows XP Security Console
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

Windows XP is a multi-user OS, even when used by one person only, the
fundamentals don't change.

Documents and Settings is the directory that contains your user
information/documents/etc. It also contains a few extra directories used by
Windows.

One is "Default User" - This is used whenever a new account is created. It
bases the initial setup of that account off this directory.

Another is "All Users" - This is used by.. all users. If you want something
to appear on the desktop of every user of the machine, you put it on this
users desktop (in the desktop folder.) Etc.

You may also see "Administrator" - depending on your setup, this is the
original administrator user and if you know that account's password, you
should leave him alone and use him only in an emergency.

You could also (if you have it where you can see ALL files) see
"LocalService" and "NetworkService" folders. These are service accounts,
normally unused by the standard user.

Should you erase any of the above? No. No reason to. The only ones that a
single user will really ever use is the one under their username (ie:
whatever username you log in with) and the "All Users" account. If
something goes wrong(or you add a new user), the default user will be used
(recreated if not there) to create the new account needed. The
Administrator account will hopefully never be used and would just be
recreated if you logged in as administrator (assuming you even have the
user - which you do.) Sometimes your account may be listed as "owner" or
"administrator" under the documents and settings folder.. This all depends
on how things were setup. The name you use and the name of the folder do
NOT have to correspond if the name was changed manually after the account
was created initially.

 

[Guest]

I'm having the opposite problem - I have three users and when we install a
new program (say a game for my daughter) the shortcut shows up on all three
of our users desktops. When I delete the shortcut on my desktop it deletes
it on all three desktops. How do I manage what shows up on each user's
desktop. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Guest]

:

I'm having the opposite problem - I have three users and when we install a
new program (say a game for my daughter) the shortcut shows up on all three
of our users desktops. When I delete the shortcut on my desktop it deletes
it on all three desktops. How do I manage what shows up on each user's
desktop. Thanks for any feedback.

Wander replies: Try what Shenan says. It really helped me because I was
having the same problem. Right click on My Computer, then go to C: drive
(right click), then right click on Documents and Settings. Once in that
folder right click on All Users and decide what to have for all then go to
the individual names listed under documents and settings to add what ever
else you want there. You can put your window in the Minimize position so that
you can right click on your desktop (the icon) and copy it into the minimize
folder with the user info in it. Email me if you need more help (free).
(e-mail address removed)

 

[MayDay]

:

I'm having the opposite problem - I have three users and when we install a
new program (say a game for my daughter) the shortcut shows up on all three
of our users desktops. When I delete the shortcut on my desktop it deletes
it on all three desktops. How do I manage what shows up on each user's
desktop. Thanks for any feedback.

Wander replies: Try what Shenan says. It really helped me because I was
having the same problem. Right click on My Computer, then go to C: drive
(right click), then right click on Documents and Settings. Once in that
folder right click on All Users and decide what to have for all then go to
the individual names listed under documents and settings to add what ever
else you want there. You can put your window in the Minimize position so that
you can right click on your desktop (the icon) and copy it into the minimize
folder with the user info in it. Email me if you need more help (free).
(e-mail address removed)

Go to the [Documents and Settings] folder, then in each profiles folder
is a [Desktop] folder. Put the desired shortcuts onto their desktops
here. The all users is just that, for all users. Deleted from one,
deleted from all.