some applications are not accessible tor a new account

broiyan · 17 Feb 2014

Why do some applications appear in all accounts but some applications do not?

For example, I have both "Plants & Zombies" and "Google Chrome" installed in the administrator's account. The game is invokable via a desktop shortcut and "Chrome" is in the quick launch bar. I created a new account for "kids", then logged out of the administrator account and then logged into the "kids" account.

In the "kids" account I can see "Plants & Zombies" and I can run it. "Chrome" is not even available in the search-for-programs feature of Windows 7. Why is one application already in the "kids" account but not the other?

UsernameIssues · 17 Feb 2014

There are two desktops and two start menus.

For All users:
C:\Users\Public\Desktop
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

One for individual users:
C:\Users\username\Desktop
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu

The installer software can put the start menu folder(s) (which contain the shortcuts to the app) and the desktop shortcuts where they wish - or they can ask the user during the installation.

You can move shortcuts to the public desktop and/or move shortcut folder(s) to the start menu that all users see, but that might not work for all applications. Chrome is a good example. It can be installed in the Program Files folder (where everybody can use it). Or it can be installed in the users folder (where only that use can use it). And (unfortunately), part of Chrome can be installed in the Program Files folder and part can be installed in the users folder. Google has changed how/where things get installed over the years. Just install Chrome while logged on to the Kid's account. Admin rights are not required.