Managing several user accounts in XP

[Scottland]

I have the arduous task of being tech support for my GF's family PC, which has 4 user accounts on it.

Things have a habit of "not working any more" and "just dis/appeared one day" or "it was like that already"

Which leaves me having to sort it out again. Most of the trouble is cause by people being able to change things.

If I set the user accounts to limited access, then some programs won't run because of not having sufficient privileges etc, or they can't do something etc.

Is there any better way of managing the accounts?

I want them to be able to run any programs that are installed on there, but not install anymore, and preferably not change any of the settings or be able to add/delete anything from the desktop, start menu or favourites.


Any ideas?

 

[bledd]

does making them limited users not suffice..

what doesn't work properly when they are limited?

 

[Scottland]

does making them limited users not suffice..

what doesn't work properly when they are limited?

No because some programs (mainly games) dont work for whatever reason (need admin privileges). They can still add/delete/rename stuff on the desktop/start menu etc too.

It seems to be all or nothing, with no options as to which users have access to do which things.

 

[bledd]

start
run
gpedit.msc

make a user group, put all the users in there (besides main admin) and set the options, there's a lot in there!

 

[Scottland]

start
run
gpedit.msc

make a user group, put all the users in there (besides main admin) and set the options, there's a lot in there!

Ok cheers, I forgot about that.

Does anyone know if there's a way to stop a user adding people onto their contact list in MSN/WLM?