User customized desktops that don't influence each other?

I have set up a windows 7 home premium box and I have put 2 users on it. The problem is that these users appear to be sharing a desktop in that if I delete an icon off one, it deletes it off the other. If I install a program for one, it installs it for the other without asking me. If I delete a start menu item for one, it deletes it for the other. I want the 2 users to be able to completely customize their desktop, icons, and start menu. Is this possible?

On another of my win7 home machines it would ask if I want to install it for just me or all users, but this new box never asks me. Is this a particular setting somewhere?

Yes, it is possible, and can be done simply by putting the icons in the proper start menu, as opposed to leaving them in the "All Users" start menu. Assuming you have two separate user accounts, then the software will either ask you, or will assume you want it for all users. If the same app isn't giving you the same options...double check your user setups.

I'll have to look for the all users start menu option vs single user. isn't popping out at me right now.

When you are logged in, if you right-click on All Programs, you'll be given a choice of Open or Open All Users.

aaaah. found it. Thanks!

It must be something about how i installed programs before I created a new user because it was putting icons on the desktop standard that was shared between the two users. I'll have to test more by installing some stuff to see if it's always going to do this. I'm building this computer for my parents so I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for them to customize and use.

I don't want them deleting stuff from each others desktop.

Makes sense. I recently set up a Windows 7 computer for my in-laws, and their are six people in the house, all with their own user account.

If you installed software before the second user account was created, the icons won't be available to the second user, unless the installer put them in the "All Users" menu. I have yet to run into a problem by simply moving shortcuts around to how you want them dispplayed...either for one particular user, or all.