restricting my kid's access as a user

My little 2y kid, while using my computer to play games, delete my stuff and mess alot around, connecting to dialup ISPs and other things.

I want to restrict his access to only his games and nothing else. For that I made him a limited user, without a password, and done my self a password, as administrator (I use XP pro)
But he still has access to every thing!
He can access 'My documents' and delete anything there. When I right-click my documents > sharing and security, to make it private, the option is not active. Why?

And, is there a way I can restrict his access? like hiding start button and systray, without hiding them for me as an admin?

Where can I read about restricting a child's access in Windows XP?

 

XP has it's built in help system.
Go to Start > Run > and type in: gpedit.msc
Look in User Configuration, Administrative templates.
Now you can restrict just about everything if you look through the options there, and read the help bits.

 

I did as you said, but it was reflected on me, admin!!!
Now how can I revert to where it was? there is no 'run' in start button now, no programs, no right click
HELP ME

 

reboot, you caused me a lot of trouble. I had to reformat. Thank god I use Ghost. But I'm very angry that you told me things that caused all this. I've never received a more harmful advice. And you didn't even reply or explain...

 

You didn't have to reformat, but it's done now.
If you are logged on as admin, then you can restrict any or all user functions. What you ended up doing was restricting your own functions, not the other users.
Anyhow, you got a good lesson in security, and how easy it is to lock out things on the computer.
I only check in about once a day, so that's why I haven't replied earlier.
I also made the mistake of assuming that you had prior experience with security and permissions in XP.
Terribly sorry, but glad you are smart enough to use Ghost and make backups.

 

But I only followed your instructions. Did you tried on yourself before? I went to Microsoft knowledge base and read alot about it. It turned out that changes done in users actually AFFECT admin too. hava a look at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q307882#5

 

It's possible if you use the technique described in 293655 (applies to XP Pro and Win2k). If you were using NTFS, could have also denied read access to the GroupPolicy folder for Administrators.

 

I guess what you really wanted was MSKB article 308418 describing how to set user restrictions on files and folders.
Not as secure as gpedit, but does the job.

 

My xp pro is running on fat32, not ntfs

 

For the type of fine-grain security you need, NTFS will give you options that FAT32 does not have. Except for that, the two file systems give pretty much the same appearance to the user so you wouldn't have to suffer thru another learning curve.

To change (one way only) from FAT32 to NTFS, you can open a cmd window
and do
convert c: /fs:ntfs (assuming you want to convert C: ) and it will change it to NTFS for you.

 

On a similar note ....

I am setting up several computers for use in our convenience stores and have been setting group policy on each of them individually. Is there a way to export these settings to a second pc? I don't have a cloning program that will work with XP or I would just clone the whole drive. I know my new buddy Newt can chime in on this one ...lol

 

Sallam

Reboot is one of the most technically proficient and accurate posters on this BBS. He freely shares his knowledge in a clear and courteous manner. The suggestion he gave you was valid. Since you weren't sure of the specifics involved, you should have looked it up or posted back with your questions. The correct thing to do now would be to apologize, because this

is out of line.

One way to keep kids out of your computer is to set a password and press WinKey and L when you step away. Another way to prevent them from getting into restricted areas of the computer is to limit their accounts, either as Reboot described, or with plain old Control Panel>User Accounts. The best way to protect your computer from children is education and adult supervision.

Johanna
Mother of 4
ages 4, 5, 7, & 9


EDIT Whew- that will teach me to glance at the date before I fire off a reply to a post! But, hey, Reboot has been very patient with me...

 

AMEN!!!
(Take note all you mothers/fathers who rely on "net nanny" type software. Spend some time with your kids instead, and teach them properly, then you won't need net nanny, nor will you worry so much.)

 

Spend some time with your kids instead, and teach them properly, then you won't need net nanny, nor will you worry so much.

LOL. Reboot, I completely agree with Johanna's comments about your tech ability and clear, concise instructions.

But I gotta think, based on the piece above, that you've either not raised many kids or have been lucky and had well behaved ones. Shoot, I even had a couple that the advice would fit. But with some of the others, my only option was just to not worry. I guess it worked because they survived to adulthood, I only got grey hair from the experience, and I now have the pleasure of seeing my comments of, "I hope you have children that are just like you" happening.

 

Wish I had a dollar for every time I heard my dad tell me that.
I now find myself getting to tell my kids that. Funny... guess it's true, what goes around comes around. However, I never will get to tell my kids how I walked 2 miles to school everyday. Even in a raging snowstorm.

 

Uphill. Both ways
Johanna

 

LOL. I can see this could get interesting.

 

I do have kids. A girl 12, who thinks she's 16 and knows everything, and a boy 16, who is autistic and has ADHD.
Guess which one is the computer whiz?
I wouldn't say they're particularily well behaved either, it's just that patience and knowledge work far better to teach right from wrong, than someone elses piece of software.
I don't specifically tell them they can't surf certain sites, nor do I encourage them to only visit others, I simply let them know what they're going to find, and allow them to decide. This prompts good decision making, as well as trust. If I installed blocking software, their curiosity would probably find a way around it, and they'd be going to some questionable sites anyhow. The way I do it, they trust me to let them be responsible, and I trust them to make good judgements.
I DID walk 2 miles to school every day, uphill both ways, in a blizzard!

 

Reboot, I started a new thread on this topic "net nannies" in the General section.

My father walked to school in the snow, all year long, uphill both ways, wearing dead people's clothes. At least, that is what he told me. And, he hoped I'd have a kid just like me. I do, her name is Jane. She tests my sanity and tries my patience, but when I complain to my parents, they laugh at me! (Been there, done that!) On my wedding day, my father turned to my mother and said, "Well, she's HIS problem, now!" (meaning me!) Someday, after Grad school, I hope to say that about MY daughter. LOL

Johanna