Hello Ebenezer,
Any application that is installed on your system is available to all users.
The one think I can think of that you may have problems with is that not all
applications (especially free downloads) are 100% XP compatible.
The applications will run fine if they are at least designed for Win98.
However the shortcuts to the application that get put in the "Start Menu"
under "All Programs" may only show up when logged on as the user account
that did the download and install.
You might have to use Windows Explorer to copy or move these shortcuts from
that user to the "All Users Profile" Start Menu.
After the application is installed, reboot if needed and log on using the
same user account. Test the application to be sure it works OK. If so,
Right-click on the "Start" button and select "Explore". This will open
Windows Explorer and take you to the "Start Menu" For the current user.
Click on the + sign in front of the "Programs" folder and find the folder
containing the shortcuts used to start the new application. Now click on
the + sign ahead of the folder named "All Users" which should be above where
you are now. (We're only working in the left most window of your display).
Now Left Click once to highlight the folder containing the shortcuts you
want to move. Now Right-Click-And-Hold the mouse button down while dragging
the folder to the same location under "All Users", let go of the mouse
button and agree to "Move" or "Copy" to the new location. You've just moved
these shortcuts to your new application into the start menu where all users
(even future ones) will see them in their start menus. (moving might be
better)
You may not need to go through this. Lets hope not, but if you are familiar
with Windows Explorer it should go ok.
Remember to create a system restore point prior to moving this folder in
case you run into problems.
You might also create as system restore point prior to downloading the
application in the event you have trouble with the download/install.
System restore is a good thing, use it often....
Hope this helps,
Richard E.
