Restrict Users from Launching Apps in XP

This tweak is a great way to keep certain users on the system from launching certain apps. For example, your kid shouldn't be launching AIM since he got caught abusing it last week. Or you've got a community computer and you don't trust certain folks to leave your settings alone in Photoshop. Whatever your reasoning, wouldn't it be nice to know that Joe and Bob can't launch that app, even when you wander off?

Check out this WinGuides article for the steps. Make sure you read it carefully, as it relates to making both key and value registry edits. And never, ever edit your registry without making a nice backup first!

Keep in mind that this tweak will only apply to the current user logged in as you perform the tweak, which can be quite inconvenient if you're working on the down low or don't know their user/pass. As long as you're an admin, check out Daniel Petri's page for a tutorial on editing the registry for other users.

Later!
:)
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Comments

[Yondie]

I run with scissors!

[Paul]

So basically, all you have to do to get around this is rename the executable.

Instead, make sure the user is not a member of the administrator group, and remove the permissions on the program/program folder for that user so they dont have access to it. Its better to set user/group permissions.

[Josh]

Could you just change the name of the program like aim.exe to aim2.exe and it would than work?

[Moody]

This can be achieved alot easier through the use of policies and the gpedit.msc tool. With the tool you can actually use a software restriction policy by either allowing or disallowing applications. Check it out, it is great. And a little FYI, this is a great way to prevent viruses and/or spyware from running on your machines.

[Frozenrice]

Will this work for Win2k?

[Chris]

Sara, just want to let you know that The Screen Savers is now the ONLY show that I watch on the new G4TechTV network. Much to my disappointment, all the G4 programs blow! Please continue to "keep it real" on TSS and don't let the evil of G4 change the show. So far no good has come from this merger and yet again the end consumer suffers from the greed of corporate America.

[Thomas M. Christopher]

frozenrice said:

Sara, just want to let you know that The Screen Savers is now the ONLY show that I watch on the new G4TechTV network. Much to my disappointment, all the G4 programs blow! Please continue to "keep it real" on TSS and don't let the evil of G4 change the show. So far no good has come from this merger and yet again the end consumer suffers from the greed of corporate America.

Sorry, but I have to agree

[Fred]

Since TechTV has merged with G4, the new website is now considered a "gaming" website by my employer and it is blocked at the corporate firewall. I can no longer access the tech tips on the TSS website. Way to go G4! Thanks for screwing me out of important information that helps me in my job as a systems administrator!!! Feel free to pass this information on to your corporate gaming dorks at G4. I work for a fortune 500 company that has over 140,000 people and now nobody can access the website. Sara, please continue to post your information in your blog as this is the only way I can get your tech tips.

[John Ayers]

I ALSO AGREE THAT G4 Shows are not up to the quality of Tech TV. Their web sites are pretty weak too. Maybe they will get up to speed some day. It all we have left. I miss Leo and Kat. We have lost a lot of talent. Sorry to all the guys and gals that got down sized. It happended to me too.

[Michael Benson]

Although I doubt it will make you feel any better Fred, even if you could access the site you wouldn't be able to find any of the tech tips you would be looking for. They say they have the last three months available, but the information is sparse and useless and it doesn't look like they're making any effort to make it any better. While the info may have been stored in a proprietary backend as Kevin mentioned on his blog, it wouldn't take a rocket scientist or brain surgeon to make all those years of data available in a useful manner.

[Jack]

I am so disappointed and dumbfounded that g4 chose to let a jerk like Martin Sargent stay over a host such as Leo LaPorte. It was easy to learn from him--he can put things in simple terms. In the four years I have been into computing, I have learned how to use, build, and trouble shoot computers amoung other things. G4 should take a look at history. After all, look at the average age of the people calling in--I sometimes thought it was 8 to 12!

[Moody]

The new G4 TV sucks. I can prove it with a piece of scratch paper and a pen.

[Mvpo.geo]

I agree that TEch TV is a good network and does better with websites. I think that Tech TV would be really good if they did away with X-Play. I mean they have 2 retards that have no idea about gaming on it hosting. It really disappoints me and they are just annoying to watch. Im glad the merger went through cause now Im a big fan of Screen Savers ;)

[Matt G.]

I agree with the others. G4 is terrible... TechTV had much better content. Now all we're left with is one good show. Long live The Screen Savers!

[Brian]

Same problem here... I can't access the new website from work. Our firewall blocks access to gaming websites, so I can no longer read The Screen Savers site. G4 bites!!!!

[arkg]

Sarah : Since the G4 merger , I find myself in an e-mail black hole ! Since starting computing in 2002 , Tech TV (Screen Savers; Call for Help mainly) has been the only reason to own a TV - I've learned so much from you all ; THANK YOU .Now , the newsletter gives virtually no info + I'm drawn deeper + deeper into the G4 hole trying fruitlessly to find my old friends . If things don't soon improve , I'll be dropping the newsletter - I'll only have to check mail once/month ; there'll be no point . I work to live + don't want to be bothered searching for the show : I don't intend to buy a TIVO or start taping TV again - there's computers to play with!My plan is to add you all to my Favourites - I've been receiving Lockergnome since Parillo got the shaft - I'm confident I'll be able to get a lot more help + entertainment that way , than watching G4 !

[sandy]

Wanna hear the ONLY good thing coming out of the merger? I've gotten some of my life back - no longer have to make that extra effort to be sure to watch Tech TV programming! Since G4 TV is so totally geared toward gaming (which holds no interest to many of us), now can select the time to watch the only worthwhile program left - Screensavers.

[Md Azim]

I've been surfing your website since I got to know the TSS and call for help for the past two years or so...it's been an interesting days looking around for new things and tricks around your site plus all the advice....but not until recently the G4 changed the whole thing down...sadly...I'm not going to surf anymore to your site like I used to....it's really frustrated for the changes...!!!

[Liz]

G4 BLOWS!!! Looks like another case of corporate "oops! got our head stuck up our own a*s again!"

[jenandav]

Oh well. I'm done. Not only am I disappointed with the new web site, two weeks after the G4 thing my cable company stopped carrying G4TechTV all together. Now I can't even watch TSS, the only show left worth watching. Thanks for all the great info. Good Luck

[bdejong]

I have to agree with all the above. G4 blows. It is mindboggling how anyone could find the new programs and format to be an improvment. I mean, get real letting go of Leo and Cat? What lamo thought that one up. The screen savers is all that is left, I hope you dont fall victim to the next bad idea from G4.

G4, listen up, bring them all back.....

[John-Paul]

Don't diss Martin. For real, I love Leo but that's no reason to go dissing marty because they kept him and dropped leo.

As for Kat, she was on last night, on that road to Gphoria thing.

I'm torn here, people keep dissing G4. As a video gamer since pong, I absoltely LOVE the concept of a video game channel. Sure the personalities are so so, and the production values only okay but the content, gaming content, it's all there baby! and I like it :oP

so, you people can consider me a long time tech tv deserter but I just choose to accept the change and go with it. WE all know anything perfect can't last forever.. face reality. You don't like it, don't watch.

As for me I have Screen Savers on Tivo season pass now and I'm very happy in the fact that I will never miss an episode now. Really, things aren't that bad.

Plus Pulse is an excellent show as far as gamers "should" be concerned. I heard more news and exciting game bits in one episode of Pulse than I heard in a week of X-play.

[John-Paul]

..but for the record it isn't an improvement. more like a slightly tolerable and unavoidable change to me.

[Macro Man]

What in the world!!! I thought the TechTV site was having some temporary re-arranging of files. Instead we are left with this G4 baloney ???!!!Man, now where are we going to get all the good tech info that was available ? Glad they left the screensavers (or is some G4 blockhead planning to let that go too ?)

[Dartrout]

Tech TV was 1000% better than G4 ... The problem; all of G4's show are Gaming shows. The great thing about Tech TV was a variety of tech related programming. However, G4 shows are all gaming ... Now don't get me wrong I am a gamer on many different consoles, but I am first and foremost a techie geek! Screensavers cast and crew keep up the excellent work!

[mark]

sara the screensavers is now the only show on the g4 network that i watch the rest s....

[crazyworld123]

I have to agree with...well just about everyone. G4 sucks so much its unbearable to think about. I never got TechTV at my house but I used to check out the cool vids they'd put up online. Now dont get me wrong but wouldnt it help if people had a place where they can learn to make their computer faster and run cleaner by running simple, or complex, programs shown by TechTV even on its website so gamers get the most out of their computers? I still yet have to see a video in the video section of TSS. It baffles me to think who made up the G4 website. Not too bad interface, horrible content and where's the good old stuff?? Ok, I'm done rambling, who's next?

[William murillo]

G4 just SU#$ !! I miss the show because in the NY area we don't have the show at all; Not even G4. I can't beleive it. I miss you guys and girls. I even tried to get a shirt. Now I will not get a change..Miss you guys and girls.. It was a fun show . Please e-mail how to see sothing of the show.This takes the cake. F^%K

[David A. Weaver]

I watched Tech TV every day to increase my computing knowledge.G4 has no place in our household.

[David Lush]

Sorry, But G4 is bar far not the same as TechTV was. This is a Gamers Paradise site. TechTV gage us lots of educational information, I miss that the most. I have had to now BLOCK this G4 site to the Children as they are getting too involved in Playing Games and not learning anything at all. I have also BLOCKED the G4 site at worksite as there is nothing for our operators that would assist them with work. Even running simple searches can't find articles such as "Useful Sites" , "Window Tips"... Plus lots more.. Not even a link to " How stuff works.

Disgracefull state of affairs.More links to old Information would be FANTASTIC.

In the name of progress this has gone in reverse.What will be the next BRIGHT IDEA ?????

[Randy Blades]

G4 what were you thinking? The ScreenSavers was a well rounded and balanced computer program. From the mildly geekie to the ultra Geek-A-Zoid, the ScreenSavers kept us coming back for more. But I have to tell you a whole lot of geeks have day jobs. Running it during the daytime makes no sense to me at all. My wife (not geekie), like most house wives, rules the TV during the daytime. So when it comes down to Regis & Kelly or the ScreenSavers at 9:00am in the morning, you know where most of those TV’s are tuned.

G4 seems to mostly be gaming. Game stuff is good. I think a lot of computers are sold just for gaming. As for me I kind of got tired of getting to the end of a game with no real reward. Not to be downer about games, I really had a lot of fun when I played them, I just have other interest now.

Also I didn't realize that Leo was gone. To bad I feel he really connected with the viewer. The other guys/gals still left on the show are really great and I enjoy each one of them. I still really like the show, that is if I could see it.

Good luck I hope they don't cut anymore.

[Steve]

Sarah,

Who designed the G4 website? G4 website suck's and blow's. It took me an hour and half to find something on G4 site that would have only taken 30 seconds on techtv site. Maybe G4 should get that book on website design that Kate Botello wrote, I heard it's a good book.

[Sponge]

This is the 1 time the FTC should have blocked a merger. Comcast are the same scumbags that cancelled Techtv programming on my basic package back on April 1st, 2001.(talk about cruel April fool's jokes turned reality!) I only got to watch it when around someone elses satellite feed. Now, Im trying to look up tips from all of those emails I've received from TechTv shows over the past 4 years and NONE of the links work. Nothing has been ported over. The depth of incompetence from comcrap's top brass is reaching new levels of bewilderment. I really do miss the Old TechTv folk. They were the best! This new network is GARBAGE. I hope for its rapid death! G4 SUX! Long Live TechTV!

[Mark]

THANK YOU! To the Cast and Crew of Screen Savers, all of you who work so hard to put on a show that is informative while BEING FOR REAL!. I try to watch every day, but when I can't I usually go to the website to catch up. This is my first visit to this new G4 version of site. IT SUCKS (Out Loud). I cant find anything but ADVERTISMENTS. Comcast, Get the Dollar Signs out of your head!! I Pay My Cable/isp Bill!

[Russell]

Why did Tech TV have to merge with G4? Were they losing that much money? The only thing good to watch on G4TechTV is The Screen Savers. I miss my Call for Help and Leo! Will Leo be coming back to The Screen Savers? I don't understand how they can change a channel so much, a channel that I have to pay extra for.

Keep up the good work Screen Savers!

[disappointed]

wheres my windows tweaks? wheres my dark tips? wheres my sweet mods? i want my download of the day, and i want it now!

will someone please stop the madness...?

G4 SUX

[messiah]

must agree g4 is pants

[Frankie]

G4 does suck. Not only has this takeover made the rest of the channel unwatchable except for The Screensavers, but the overhaul on the website is pretty damn drastic. It was fine the way it was.

P.S. Sarah you the best looking tech geek alive, and yeah it's a compliment.

[FearTheNoFear]

Leo was the best on Call for Help and The Screen Savers. Now they only have The Screen Savers but no Leo. Why did they have to make it into a gaming channel? Why not have a gaming cahnnel and then have a computer channel? That would be a lot better than having all this gaming stuff and one computer show.

[FearTheNoFear]

Leo was the best on Call for Help and The Screen Savers. Now they only have The Screen Savers but no Leo. Why did they have to make it into a gaming channel? Why not have a gaming cahnnel and then have a computer channel? That would be a lot better than having all this gaming stuff and one computer show.

[Eric C.]

I am pissed off at all this BS. Tech Tv was one of my majour learning resources for computers. Now all I have left is a menu full of empty bookmarks and the curiosity of finding out a couple of things I was working on from stuff I saw. What am I supposed to do now.On top of that I have modded my pc pretty much with eerything I saw on Tech TV, it is truly sad that they impaired not only mine but a lot of 12 year old knowledge hungry kids out there.

BTW do u anow anywhere or anyone wherei can find the old site or at least peices of it...

AHH!! the canada site is also screwed up!!

[Belen]

I dislike the merger. Call for Help and Screen Savers are my favorite programs. Unfortunately I can no longer watch because one is no longer available. All the shows from G4 appear to be the same. I have seen better programs online at iFILM.com. I have lost access to the great tips and helps from the old archives. The old websites was much better than the site that exists now. I can truly say that I can no longer reccommend friends to watch TechTV or go online because any "normal" (non-gamer) person will get lost and give up. The information available is almost worthless. I want more content. Please give it back?!!

[blore]

The old techtv.com website was very easy for someone new online to understand and get the infomatiom that they were looking for, you might as well call it g4television.com it is a circuis.

[Tazz57]

dido ...i agree with all the above i had HUNDERD of bookmarks from Call for HELP ! that are now trash and even had some of them referenced with the articles from the shows listed on my personal web site that i built from a show where Cat did a story on tripod.lycos.com on building your own free web site i haven't deleted any of them hoping that G4Techtv archives them ...yea right..LOL now like everyone else says the website ..well it BIT'S and the daily news letter ..well i may stop getting that to.i watched every show of Call for HELP & The ScreenSavers now i watch and save sm bits & pieces onto tape..tape mostly things from sarah's stuff (tweaks)good info the rest is JUNK

[Robert J. Nigro]

One good thing about the TechTV and G4 merger is that I have more room on my TIVO since Call for Help is gone and The Screen Savers limited time showings confict with other recordings. I miss the amount of time spent reading e-mails and related articles TechTV provided me with. It felt like going to school every day and now my mornings feel like a black hole, no e-mails, no new information, no tips and reviews. I knew this was coming the day a read about the sale of TechTV. Now the rest of the country has a taste of what Comcast has done to television viewing. Being a sports fan in the Philadelphia area with satellite, we have no local sports available to us. This forces me to pay again for sports coverage I already pay for with satellite. Thank God the proposed Disney merger did not go through. At least ESPN, the History Channel and A & E are safe for now.

[Don Truell]

A gamming channel ? This sucks ! No more tweaks,no more mods,no more dark tips.G4 Web site (a joke) sucks.Tell Leo,Patrick,Yosi,Cat,Kevin(lucky man)good luck and i will miss watching and learning from all of you.See I will no longer watch any of this crap.I only regret that I will also not be watching The Screen Savers anymore.

[W.J.S.]

I really hope that one day, somehow, T.V. will be able to fufill it's original promise, education. TSS has been (and hopefully will continue to be) my favorite thing on the box (well, actually my monitor) It's the only thing that reflects my daily life, a digital life full of esoterica and humor. TSS is a model for the future of broadcasting in my opinion.

If you have a burning tropical desire to learn how to make coconut cream Flan, there's a place for you. If you want to see how to perfect your boss-bonding golf drive, there's a place for that as well. What is it the coporations don't understand about things like TSS? Geeks ARE the bottom line in this day and age. We are the folks that make their ventures possible. I guess you could compare it to the lot of a coal miner in the early 1900s.' We make your homes warm in the winter, we create the power that your industries crave.

bleh.

Maybe T.V. could operate on a model more similar to X.M. radio. Not really too much different than "digital" cable. I can't even get TSS without subscribing to digital, and, as I tune cable through my PC it's not worth the extra $$ just for one show. Hence, Usenet to the rescue. F.Y.I. TSS is posted on a daily basis to alt.binaries.multimedia.Not SUPER high quality, but passable .asf's



From my little soapbox, I wish you and all the members of TSS a heartfelt THANK YOU. Thank you for being an alternative to the swill that jams the coax. Thank you for showing me the latest version of Firefox instead of force-feeding me Pineapple Flan.

-b

[endwelling]

Only good thing that has came from the merge of G4 and TSS is:

1. I have dropped digital cable and back to basic -- saving: 25 bucks a month.

2. Watch less tv and sleep more -- saving: my eyes.

3. Find myself searching the web for another tech site as good as the old TSS. -- savings: $0.00

G4 get a clue -- 99% of your shows are basic BS. Tell your marketers and PR personal to go jump in a lake. Gamer shows are for mid afternoon and Very late night. (NOT ALL DAY)

You wonder why most US citizens are so behind in technology? Its because of Large pocket companies like you, pulling such good shows and employees.

[RellyBoy]

What's up with all this G4, I do not have time tobe watching a bunch of video game shows from morning until night.I need something to expand my knowledge in computers.I have'nt learned anything since this merger has started,if I want to know about a game & its codeI could buy a code book ,if I wanted to.

Shame on G4 for letting go of Leo And Cat and that person way above saying that he/she likes it.I don't want to sit down and watch a heep of gaming shows the whole day where's the sence in that.Martin lawrence show the only thing I could say about that is sh** coming in and sh** going out to the public.

Us people of the Bahamas only get to watch that one great show now which is my favourite showThe Screen Savers.Keep up the good work you guy's.

[RellyBoy]

What's up with all this G4, I do not have time tobe watching a bunch of video game shows from morning until night.I need something to expand my knowledge in computers.I have'nt learned anything since this merger has started,if I want to know about a game & its codeI could buy a code book ,if I wanted to.

Shame on G4 for letting go of Leo And Cat and that person way above saying that he/she likes it.I don't want to sit down and watch a heep of gaming shows the whole day where's the sence in that.Martin lawrence show the only thing I could say about that is sh** coming in and sh** going out to the public.

Us people of the Bahamas only get to watch that one great show now which is my favourite showThe Screen Savers.Keep up the good work you guy's.