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Guest account and downloading programs

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Tari, 2008/01/09.

  1. 2008/01/09
    Tari

    Tari Inactive Thread Starter

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    So I came home from work today to find my dad on my PC playing Pokerstars online as a Guest login. Somehow, he managed to download and install the program as a Guest.

    The thing that puzzles me is that I thought that the Guest account restricted the user from downloading programs..? Anyway, is there a way I can restrict the guest account from downloading anything at all?

    I'm a little concerned about what my dad does online and what sites he surfs. I don't trust him downloading programs without my knowledge.

    TBH, I would just disable the guest account, but I'd like to leave it open so my sister can also get on to check her e-mail.

    Thanks!
     
    Tari,
    #1
  2. 2008/01/10
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    If dad isn't too tech savvy-> IE Tools->Options->Security->Internet->File DOwnloads -> set to Disable.
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #2


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  4. 2008/01/10
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Tari,
    you state your computer experience as intermediate, are you comfortable in editing the registry? Have a look at the web pages below ...

    Disable Control Panel
    Hide Control Panel Applets
    Internet Explorer Control Panel Restrictions (Part 1)
    Internet Explorer Control Panel Restrictions (Part 2)

    ... and if you feel that you're up to the task of editing the registry:

    1) Learn How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista and backup each key prior to editing.

    2) Disable the default Guest Account.

    3) Create a new account and name it "Friends" or something else other than "Guest ". While doing the registry editing, let it retain adminstrator privileges.

    4) Edit the appropriate registry keys for the Friends Account to limit the "privileges" according to your wishes.

    (I have done this on a "public computer" in our flying club. The Members can do almost nothing, except saving links and clear the TIF cache. It works well. If you do as Steve suggests and then disable most tabs in the Internet Explorer Control Panel ... :cool: ... daddy can do nada!)

    5) Log in to your own account (with administrator privileges) and in Control Panel > User Accounts > set the Friends Account to limited.

    6) Done!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #3
  5. 2008/01/10
    mailman Lifetime Subscription

    mailman Geek Member

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    Hi, Tari. Welcome to Windows BBS! :)

    And if your dad is tech savvy, then perhaps disable the guest account and create a passworded limited use account for your sister, effectively preventing your dad from using the computer???

    Thanks to you, I enabled my guest account for the first time last nite and played with it a little. I've never created a limited account either yet but it seems doable.

    EDIT: BTW, have you also passworded your computer's "Administrator" account? At least Windows XP Home ships without a password for the Administrator account. I don't know about Windows XP Professional.
     
    mailman,
    #4
  6. 2008/01/10
    MilesAhead

    MilesAhead Inactive

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    mailman, on my XP Pro machine I have Owner set as administrator with no password. If I try "run as administrator" from a user account, it pops up a password input box. If you don't have a valid password you're stymied.

    btw is the OP using dial-up or broadband? What I'm thinking is PCs are cheap enough now that if using dial-up get Dad his own PC and let him dial up from his own phone line or extension. Nothing is more frustrating than somebody else hosing your PC and you don't know what they did. :)
     
    MilesAhead,
    #5

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