Prohibit Users from installing programs on a PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike G
  • Start date Start date
M

Mike G

Hi,

Can someone tell me how to configure group policies so as to prevent a user
(a child) from installing software without the administrator's (parent's)
permission on Windows XP? Is it simply a matter of setting up a user as a
limited user? Is there any references one can direct me to regarding how to
safely use group policy editor to do this? I am fairly savvy with XP, but
not quite as much with group policies and the Microsoft Management Console.
For instance, the Software Settings folder under the User Configuration
branch is empty, and I don't quite know how to proceed.

I was wondering if there were savvier computer geeks out there who could
point me to good information on this subject.

Thank you very much for your help.

Mike
 
Pete and others,

What about just setting up an account for the kids? A limited account,
though. My only concern is that I would like to be able to check on them if
there were any doubts as to what they were doing. I don't particularly mind
them installing most games (though certain ones are prohibited -- like Grand
Theft Auto, for one [and I don't even think the game should even be sold at
all to minors]). The problem comes when some driver gets screwed up, and I
am left trying to figure out why the computer doesn't work.

I was just looking for some elegant solution...maybe there isn't any and
this is just the geek in me talking.

Comments welcome.

Mike
 
Yes, just set up a regular limited user account for the kids. Make sure your
disk is formatted NTFS, too, to prevent the little darlings from playing
around with system files, etc.

And I totally agree on Grand Theft Auto....<shudder>

Mike said:
Pete and others,

What about just setting up an account for the kids? A limited
account, though. My only concern is that I would like to be able to
check on them if there were any doubts as to what they were doing. I
don't particularly mind them installing most games (though certain
ones are prohibited -- like Grand Theft Auto, for one [and I don't
even think the game should even be sold at all to minors]). The
problem comes when some driver gets screwed up, and I am left trying
to figure out why the computer doesn't work.

I was just looking for some elegant solution...maybe there isn't any
and this is just the geek in me talking.

Comments welcome.

Mike
pete [email protected] said:
I may not beable to help you much but if you are savvy
with XP then you may know more than I do. so here is what
I would do - firstly never let the kid on the PC, lol,
just messing.
go into control panel, user accounts, ( you will see
admin and guest, left click on admin, then left ckick on
change account, create password. that will then stop
anyone going on the PC without the password. however this
will also mean that should your kids want to go onto the
PC you will have to set it up for them, without them
seeing your password. also you will never stop kids
installing games ect, that is impossible, even for
microsoft. the best thing for you to do is to let your
kids install thier games, and when they have finished
uninstall them. I have found that to be the best way. I
have four kids who constantly play on my PC even though
they have there own, and they install games on here, all
i do is uninstall them. it saves arguments and it is
better than messing about with passwords
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Lanwench,

Just wondering now...supposing I did set up a limited account. Couldn't the
little munchkin password protect the account to keep prying parents away?
For that matter, I don't think XP lets you read the files of another unless
you specifically put the file in Shared Documents or change access
permissions, right?

Mike



"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
Yes, just set up a regular limited user account for the kids. Make sure your
disk is formatted NTFS, too, to prevent the little darlings from playing
around with system files, etc.

And I totally agree on Grand Theft Auto....<shudder>

Mike said:
Pete and others,

What about just setting up an account for the kids? A limited
account, though. My only concern is that I would like to be able to
check on them if there were any doubts as to what they were doing. I
don't particularly mind them installing most games (though certain
ones are prohibited -- like Grand Theft Auto, for one [and I don't
even think the game should even be sold at all to minors]). The
problem comes when some driver gets screwed up, and I am left trying
to figure out why the computer doesn't work.

I was just looking for some elegant solution...maybe there isn't any
and this is just the geek in me talking.

Comments welcome.

Mike
pete [email protected] said:
-----Original Message-----
Hi,

Can someone tell me how to configure group policies so
as to prevent a user
(a child) from installing software without the
administrator's (parent's)
permission on Windows XP? Is it simply a matter of
setting up a user as a
limited user? Is there any references one can direct me
to regarding how to
safely use group policy editor to do this? I am fairly
savvy with XP, but
not quite as much with group policies and the Microsoft
Management Console.
For instance, the Software Settings folder under the
User Configuration
branch is empty, and I don't quite know how to proceed.

I was wondering if there were savvier computer geeks out
there who could
point me to good information on this subject.

Thank you very much for your help.

Mike


.
hi mike,

I may not beable to help you much but if you are savvy
with XP then you may know more than I do. so here is what
I would do - firstly never let the kid on the PC, lol,
just messing.
go into control panel, user accounts, ( you will see
admin and guest, left click on admin, then left ckick on
change account, create password. that will then stop
anyone going on the PC without the password. however this
will also mean that should your kids want to go onto the
PC you will have to set it up for them, without them
seeing your password. also you will never stop kids
installing games ect, that is impossible, even for
microsoft. the best thing for you to do is to let your
kids install thier games, and when they have finished
uninstall them. I have found that to be the best way. I
have four kids who constantly play on my PC even though
they have there own, and they install games on here, all
i do is uninstall them. it saves arguments and it is
better than messing about with passwords
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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