Windows XPPost your Windows XP related questions here.
Mission Statement
WindowsBBS is an online community dedicated to easily accessible technical support for those using Microsoft operating systems and other Windows software.
Our goal is to become the leading resource for computer users that require assistance with their day-to-day computer usage, including full support for networking PC's, virus & malware removal, system upgrades and general support questions.
User2 user can't access programs installed by User1
I installed Open Office on my computer while logged in as User1. The program works fine for me, but it doesn't show up on User2's list of Start>All Programs, and when he tries to open a document, he gets a message saying there's no program to open that kind of a file. (Both users are administrators accounts)
What do I need to do differently to ensure that any programs installed on the computer are accessible to both users?
Thanks!
Didn't find the information you thought to find? Check out these Similar Threads
I rebooted the computer, and still wasn't able to open any documents with Open Office under User2. Not only that, but the shortcut for creating a new text document with Open Office on my own (User1's) desktop had gone from an Open Office icon to a generic Windows icon. I think it's because I'm dealing with an actual program, not just a file. I moved it out of Shared Documents, back to Program Files on C:, and now the program is back in order for me. But I'm still left trying to figure out how to grant User2 "permission" to use the program!
I think the problem is that I have to extract files before installing the program, and the extracted files defaulted to C:\My Documents and Settings\Rebecca...
To where should I direct the extracted files so that the program will ultimately be accessible by both users?
The program was saved under C:\Program Files, but when I right clicked on Properties for Open Office under User1's list of programs, it showed up as C:\Documents and Settings\User1\Start Menu. So I looked to see how User2's Start Menu\Programs folder differed from User1's - sure enough, there was no Open Office listed for User2. I doubt this was the "proper way" to resolve this, but what I did was copy the Open Office folder from User1\Start Menu\Programs and paste it in User2\Start Menu\Programs. At least now User2 can use the program!
Thanks for your guidance, Whiskeyman!
I believe that the installer creates the necessary folders in C:\Program Files during installation.
I don't think the issue can be fixed through 'file sharing'.
In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\... If you have hidden files and folders to be shown, there should be an ...\All users\Start menu\Programs, ...\User1\Start menu\Programs and ...\User2\Start menu\Programs
Programs listed under 'All users' can be accessed and used by both of you. Since User2 can not access Open Office, I assume that Open Office has ended up under User1. Right click the Open Office folder under User1 and choose 'copy'. Navigate to the corresponding location under User2, right click and choose 'paste'.
Log out User1 and log in User2. Try to use Open Office and tell us what happened.
Christer
Edited:
Hmm ...... ...... I need to speed up my typing!
Edited again:
You don't need to show hidden files and folders to see 'All users'
Last edited by Christer; 9th October 2005 at 18:39.
Hi Christer, welcome back!
Yes, the program works for Gary now too. I'm still not sure why some programs end up only in my Start Menu\Programs.
Having read your post, I decided to try moving the program to All Users\Start Menu\Programs (and deleting them from my and Gary's individual folders) - and it works!
Thanks for the hint about checking out All Users!
Most programs get installed to be used by all users and the start menu items end up under 'All users'. Some installers ask the user if only the currently logged in user should be able to use it or if all users should be able to use it and the location of the start menu items will vary accordingly.
I have twenty-two applications installed, nineteen under 'All users' and only three under 'Christer'. Two of the latter are DOS applications and I created the start menu folder for them myself. The third is Replicator but I don't remember if I was asked about it. (Being the single user, questions may not be asked.)
Openoffice can be a pain in the @$$ sometimes for multiple users or on a network.
There is a network installation option for multiple users, but it looks like you've got it solved.
...... I need to speed up my typing!
