Multiple desktops

My son would like to set up two desktops on his computer, one protected for on line use and one unprotected for off line use. He would like the speed allowed without the protections running, when he doesn't need that protection, but would prefer not having to turn off the anti-virus, anti-spyware, web accelerator firewall and anything else that might be slowing him down. He set up another user, but found that whatever he deleted from one desktop was eliminated from the other desktop. Is it possible to either set up a new desktop on either his operating system partition or another partition that would allow what he is seeking?

 

If you look in Windows Explorer you'll see a folder an all users folder C:\Documents and Settings\All Users. In that folder you'll find a desktop folder and a start menu folder. Anything that's in the all users desktop folder will appear on all user's desktops. Same goes for the start menu. If you delete one of these from one user's desktop or start menu they will be deleted from the other user's too. So, the only way I know of to get them off one and still have them stay on the other is to move those that are in the all users folder to the folder that belongs to the user that wants to keep them.

For example, if you have a user named Bob and one named Paul and Paul wants to keep certain shortcuts on his desktop and in his start menu that Bob doesn't want to keep, move those Paul wants to keep out of the all users\desktop folder and start menu folder to the same folders in Paul's account. If you do this, they'll show up in Paul's account but not Bob's. Those that you want to show in both accounts can stay in the all users folders. Kind of a pain, I know, but it's the only way I know of to do it.

However, when you install a new program you can choose to not install it for all users. If the install doesn't ask about this, choose the custom install if it's available. You may be able to make this choice there. It'll save you the hassle of having to move shortcuts every time you install something anyway.

 

We were able to move everything except the program file. The only thing that remains in the startup folder is the web accelerator, yet everything continues to start up when Windows opens. Can the programs be prevented from starting up without uninstalling the programs and reinstalling it in a different place?

 

I think there may be some misunderstanding going on here. Do you mean that your son wants two differently configured systems rather than different Desktops? I'm thinking you mean the former. He can do that by using a startup control program. I use StartCop which used to be freeware but not lately. There are surely others that a Google will turn up. The feature to look for in any of those is the ability to store and later select a different configuration. StartCop does that very well, allowing several configurations to be stored for later selection when desired. It's worth paying for if you can't find anything else suitable.

edit - I think you can still get it here. It says it's for win9x but I have used the same version right on into XP without so much as a hiccup.

That is not to say you couldn't use the native tool of XP for this purpose. MSCONFIG from the Run window will allow some manipulation of the startups albeit not as handy as StartCop.

 

Well, I'm not quite sure what you're after here. Do you want some programs to start in one account and not the other when Windows starts? If so, it could get a little tricky.

First, check the startup folder in the start menu to see if any of them are loading from there. If there's shortcuts in it, delete them. For the rest that start, I guess I'd check the options of the program and see if you can turn it off there. However, if the program was installed for all users, turning it off in one account may well turn it off in the other account. I'm not really sure about that but my guess is it will. Can't hurt to try it to find out though.

Also, you could try using msconfig (start>run>msconfig) to disable startup items that aren't in the startup folder in the start menu or that you can't disable in the programs options. You might get some of them that way. On the startup tab in msconfig look at the location for each startup item. Those that are in HKCU you can more than likely disable for just the account you are currently working in. Those that are in HKLM will more than likely be turned off in all accounts if you uncheck them. It can't hurt to experiment a bit with it though. You can always turn them back on.

Other than the things I've mentioned here, the only other way I can think of would be to edit the registry manually, deleting entries that are in startup locations that cause them to run in both accounts and then adding those entries back in a location that will cause them to run only in the account you want them to run in. It can be done I'm sure but as I said, it could get a bit tricky and I don't' think it's something you would want to do if you aren't familiar with the registry.

 

Dude, I thought about Start Cop too but, I wasn't really sure how it would work in this instance. I was kind of thinking that if you used it to turn things off in one account that usually run in both, the end result would be that it would get turned off in both accounts, just as with msconfig.

I don't really know though. I've used it for years but have never had to mess much with mutiple users so, I'm not sure what will happen. My guess is though that turning things of that are located in the HKLM run keys using Start Cop will cause them to not run in either account. Any thoughts on this?

Edit: I just took a look at it and I'm sure you'll run into the problem I mentioned here. Start Cop lists the users that will be affected for each one. If it says all users, my guess is that it'll be turned off for all users.

Looking more like it's a registry edit or a reinstall the programs involved.

 

Anyone think about dual boot?

 

I don't think that would be a problem. I was assuming he would only use it on a per session basis as needed. I envisioned that he would select the stripped down version and reboot to play games and not connect to the internet since all protection would be disabled by StartCop. Then when finished, use startCop to revert to a normal configuration for max protection.

 

Yeah, but it's harder to explain.

I have a fully operational second system that I dual boot for experimental crashing.

 

Well, that's certainly a possibility but I would think it would be easier to uninstall and reinstall programs than to have to go through a windows install, install drivers, then getting everything set up the way you want it, then install programs, etc., etc.

However, there's no guarantee that all of the programs that you install will give you the option to install for all users or not. If the program is older, it may not have that option. Seems like most newer programs do give you this option though. So, I don't know. Dual boot would work. I suppose it all boils down to how much work do you want to put into it?

 

Yeah, that's why the StartCop method came to mind. It's quick, easy, and simple. Just run it and disable all items that you don't need. Then have it save that version and name it 'Bare Bones Boot" or something. Then reenable all items and save that version as "Full Protection" or whatever. Then it's just a matter of selecting the version you want to boot - rebooting and away you go. No real problem with altering the programs or registry beyond what can be easily restored via StartCop. Simple and effective, what?

 

Good point. I was coming at this with the idea of getting both users set up the way Barry wants them.

But, using Start Cop you could just run out of the same account for both configurations. Create a profile for each config and then a shortcut for each profile that reboots the computer and you'd be good to go. Simple. I think I'm understanding you now Dude.

 

Now I'm gettin' scared.

Actually, no shortcuts are needed since the profiles are saved within the StartCop program menu allowing for easy selection of different configurations. Even the reboot option is there.

Another possibility that you caused me to think of Zander would be to create a new user and set the StartCop for him to have all items disabled as a standard mode. Then it wouldn't be necessary to reboot, just a quick Log Off and log back on as the other user. hmm.. edit: forget that idea, I tested it, it won't work for the reasons mentioned earlier, some settings are for all users and run globally. The first method will be the way to go since the settings will be changed each time the user elects to use them. One could make a couple of .reg files for before and after so the change would be very easy. hmm..

Now I'm starting to understand you and I'm really gettin' scared.

 

LOL , what can I say?

But.... those shortcuts would still be the way to go. There would be no need to open Startup Cop. You are probably aware of this but I don't know so, when you make a profile using Startup Cop you can also make a shortcut (from within Startup Cop) for that profile on the desktop (or where ever) . Just double click that shortcut and the profile is loaded, the puter reboots and you're booted to a system loaded with whatever the profile the shortcut you used belonged too. Am I confusing you yet? Anyway, why bother to open the program and select the profile when you can create a shortcut for it and just click on that? Make a shortcut for the clean boot profile and one with the works loaded. Then you have both. Take your pick when you want to use one or the other. I used to do this all the time with Win9X. Don't use it anymore but it worked pretty slick when I did.

Hint. The quick launch toolbar is an excellent place for the shortcut.

 

Aha, so that's what that shortcut button down there is for. I guess it was hard to see from where my head was located.

I agree, that's the best method I have come up with yet. er, I mean you have come up with yet. I made you do it thought so I get a finders fee, what?

We live - we learn - we forget.

Thanks for your patience while I was waking up.

Now if Barry ever comes back we can be on it like white on rice.

 

I use the above process for my networked w98SE when creating image backups. In one folder with 3 short cuts number 1,2,3 along with descriptive labels. (1) reboots w98 to bare bone (created via Startup Cop), but includes required running services for Acronis. (2) is a shortcut for Acronis program load. (3) is the final Startup Cop reboot to return computer back to normal running services. Works slick.

 

Thanks for all the help. I'll download the program now, but my son won't be able to check it out fully till a week from Saturday. It sounds like it is just what he is looking for. I appreciate everything.