[lehcar72]

I was wondering because I have several users on my computer and I don't want them to have access to the control panel. The other day my teen as messing with the control panel and changed a lot of things. I want to lock all access to the control panel but when I try to in the parental controls I can't find anything about locking it. Please help!! It took me forever to change everything back and I'm worried that she'll erase things I don't want erased.
Thanks in advance.

[Jomar]

Did you set up separate profile accounts on the computer?

You can set up as the admin, and others can be limited users or "guest"
I have a post on it here- with how to do it links -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread40958.html

guest would have the most restrictions
limited users can make some changes on their own profile/account but not many computer wide changes.

I have 5 user accounts set up on my computer for family members and I have the admin account.

[mrsD]

In our house, this would NOT BE TOLERATED....

Any messing with the computer resulted in removing access completely! We were so strict that separate accounts were not necessary.

Make him/her get a job and buy his/her own, and put the controls on it for undesirable sites.

A friend of mine let her 10 yr old nephew use her computer once during a family get together.... she was totally infected with porn pop ups as a result. Only way is to remove access IMO.

I think we as adults have to be strict. Set limits, etc.

P.S. never set your computer to save passwords. That will help, too.

[Dejibo]

Yes, you can

To disable the Control Panel in Windows XP:Click Start and click Run.Type gpedit.msc and click OK.Within the Group Policy Editor, expand the following: User Configuration | Administrative Settings | Control Panel.In the details pane, double click Prohibit access to the Control Panel.Click Enabled and click OK.With this setting enabled, users will be unable to start the Control Panel or run any Control

I agree with the earlier poster, that messing with the control panel requires some "time out" from computer time. Its MUCH easier to give each child a name/user account of their own, with their own pass word. They can make the wallpaper whatever they want, and drag the icons around to include the programs they want to use. It wont interere with the others users, or the taste of the rest of the house. MANDATORY that mom keeps a copy of the passwords, and follows up on where this child has been while on it.

Hope that helps.

btw, mess with your computer at YOUR own risk. What I have shown you is an easy to use method, but is normally only used by advanced users. Make sure you create a back up or restore point before trying this so you can restore back to the way it was if it messes up.

[Jomar]

I didn't know about that.
i tried to access it on my system it and it doesn't have the gpedit.msc.

found this-
[ If you can't access gpedit, you can do it with the registry editor. Run "regedit" (without the quotes), open HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows> CurrentVersion > Policies > Explorer. Right click on "NoControlPanel", then set the value to "1", which will then disable the control panel for the current user. If you want to enable it, just reset the value to "0". ]
http://www.astahost.com/info.php/Dis...nel_t6314.html
{if you use this make sure to apply the changes on the correct user}

I also did some searches and found a few more things.

This free program is for Vista -
looks quit simple to use -
http://download.cnet.com/VistAble/30...html?tag=mncol


and a free to try program -
[With Access Boss you can set security restrictions for each user. All these user restrictions can be tweaked with Windows Registry Editor. However, Access Boss gives you more convenient user interface.

Disable Task Manager - Disables Windows Task Manager. Although it is impossible to detect Access Boss Agent with Windows task manager or other process viewer, you may take benefit from this option if you have another software you don't want to be detected and killed.

Disable Registry Editor - Disables Regedit.

Disable Display Properties - Prohibits user to change Windows themes, desktop and screen saver settings and tune the display properties.

Disable Internet Properties - Prohibits user to change Internet Explorer settings.

Disable Command Line - Disables Windows Command Prompt.

Disable Control Panel Applets - Prohibits user to open Control Panel or start any CPL files.

Disable Desktop - Removes all desktop icons.

Disable Taskbar Properties - Disables taskbar and start menu properties.

Disable Search item in Start menu - Removes Search from Windows Start menu and disables Win+F key.

Disable Run item in Start menu - Removes Run from Windows Start menu and disables Win+R key.

Disable Recent Docs in Start menu - Removes My Recent Documents from Windows Start menu.

Disable All Programs - Removes All Programs from Windows Start menu. This option works only if XP style menu is enabled. It has no effect if Classic Start menu is in use.

Disable Start menu modifications - Prohibits user to change start menu items.

Disable Network Places in Start menu - removes My Network Places from Start menu.

Disable Computers Near Me - removes Computers Near Me in My Network Places.

Block Access to drives - Tick the drive letters that will be inaccessible for the user. The drives will be blocked from Windows Explorer and Explorer-based applications. However they may be accessible by some not Explorer-based programs.

With this security restrictions you can create a limited working environment for your users.

30-days trial period and very affordable price

Access Boss is distributed on try before buy principle. You may evaluate it free for 30 days.

Download Access Boss-
http://fspro.net/cgi-bin/sws/go.pl?distr=1

If you decide to keep Access Boss, you have to buy it. 29.95]
Version: 3.2

Released: 01-Oct-2008

Supported OS: XP, 2003, Vista

x64 Support: Compatible

License: Free to try, $29.95 to buy.]
http://www.fspro.net/access-boss/

I just did a quick search and found this one, but there are other programs like it I'm sure.