Choosing which programs to belong on which profile

chargersrool

New Member
Messages
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I just installed Windows 8 Pro, and I'm trying to find out how a certain user can have certain programs installed on the desktop. I dont want my roomate to see my programs like mail senders and such, but other programs like chrome, winrar, and skype we can both use on both of our profiles. How can I set this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Satellite 855D
You have to create separate user accounts. This ensures that one user can't access the data stored in the other user's profile, and vice versa.

Typically, programs like Chrome, Skype, WinRar and any other modern software create data folders inside the user profile when you start the program for the first time (see %AppData% and %LocalAppData% folders).

This means that you don't have to install programs twice. You install them once into Program Files, and then all users can utilize them, but with their own data.

If you're determined to "hide" the fact of the installation, you should install the program in your profile somewhere, and not in Program Files. I put "hide" in quotes, because it's a lame way of hiding. It's still possible to learn about the installed program even with a limited user account.

There are a few catches, though :)

1. Administrative accounts can access everything, if needed. Therefore, the only way to achieve your goal is to have the admin account to yourself, and have your roommate use a regular user account.

Consequently, you'll have to install software and perform any OS management tasks, because your roommate won't have permissions to do that. I bet he or she won't be happy with this setup :)

2. Even if you manage to stick your roommate into a regular account, it's relatively easy to boot from a CD/USB and access everything. This means you have to disable boot from CD/USB in BIOS and set BIOS password, so your roommate can't access these settings.

3. Even if you manage to configure BIOS, it can be reset by removing the mainboard battery. This means you also have to physically seal the desktop or put a lock on it.

If your roommate still wants to stay with you after all this, he or she must be a really good person :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
Nice guy, I would not share my computer with anyone hahaha! I have set up computers for parents who don't want to allow their kids access to any kinds of stores, and it is basically exactly what Vadikan suggested. I stuck a huge Padlock on the case! I put a password that only I know on the BIOS, and the kids accounts are all limited accounts. Eventually they show a measure of responsibility and these protections can be removed. I hate having to do this! Ultimately, we got the kids their own machines and their own accounts.

Most programs do allow a user to set it up for "Only the Current User" but many do not have that feature, so you would have to hide the icons on the account in question.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
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