Security - software and layout change

I installed XP to stop kids loading all the random software they could find, and stop them fiddling with my settings (eg desktop - ever tried to work with a totally black desktop, screensavers)

Iam the only one with administrator rights. However, they are still able to load software, without using my password. I also have dual monitors, and they turn one off to play games. If they forget to turn it on again, when I log on with only one screen, all my icons have moved back to one screen. I know I can get software to recover the icon layout, but I shouldn't need this.

Threats of bodily harm etc haven't worked.

It's my computer, and I want control.

How can I :
(1) prevent software being loaded by limited users
(2) prevent limited users having access to turn monitors on and off - in fact, the whole control panel would be good.

 

Create a local group. Go into security for each of your drives and add that group to the drive. Then limit it to read/execute only. That will pretty well restrict any members of that group from doing any changing. The existing users group will be similar to this but will have a bit more access.

If the Everyone group is in security for the drive, remove it.

In the security settings, avoid checking Deny for any rights. It doesn't behave like you'd expect and you can do some strange things to yourself.

Place each of the user accounts except yours into that group.

Remove them from any other groups. It sounds like they are in "power users" or similar.

For any folders where they need more rights (such as their "my documents" folder where they need read/write, add the user and give it appropriate rights. Never "complete control" though.

For your Control Panel and similar security needs, take a look Here.

 

Newt, Thanks for the advice. The site you directed me to looks excellent.
What are local groups? I suspect this applies to XP professional. I have the home edition. I'll check when I get home. Do you know if it applies to both?

 

Sorry but I don't know. I "assumed" which wasn't such a good thing. Especially with the XP-pro vs. XP-home.

From what I can read, it looks like you can sorta do the same things with XP-Home but it ain't easy. According the the article Here you have to be using NTFS (a good idea any way) and log on as administrator in safe mode to set things up. Yuck.

It looks like you can still, mostly do what you want but from what I read, you might be lots better off spending the bucks necessary to upgrade from XP-Home to XP-Pro.

Meanwhile, Here is a good article about setting up Xp-Home for multiple users that should make good reading for you.

 

Newt,

Thanks for the advice. The link looks excellent reading. I'll go thru it in the next few days. Upgrading to Pro - could, but changing from 98 to XP is costing a packet - new OS, new modem, new graphics card, Norton anti virus doesn't work, plus some other software - have to buy XP version. Im going to run out of money.

Anyone else got any ideas?

Ross James