stopping programs from changing my default application?

Hi

I am a big fan of user account controls in Vista and Win7.

I would like to know how I can stop any and all newly installed programs from being able to change or affect my default programs.

I build and maintain computers and once I have installed and set up a new system I don't want any program to change my default programs. Not even win media player or Internet explorer if they update themselves.

Does that make sense.

I use GOM as the default media player and firefox as the default browser. But sometimes if there is a system update for media player, internet explorer or even iTunes and quicktime these programs sometimes after the update change my default programs.


Once I have finalized my install and set up my preferences how can I lock down the default programs permanently?

Any help is apreciated.

Powel

Try with going to Default Programs in Start Menu and then in Associate a file tipe or protocol with a program

Thank you.

I have done that, but after updates for some programs they will change my settings. This is what I want to block.

Any help is appreciated,

Powel

Use deny permission on the relevant registry keys.

Use deny permission on the relevant registry keys.

This sounds promising.

Do you have any further information or a web link on how i might find the relevant registry entries for; itunes, windows media player and internet explorer?

Thanks for your replies

Powel

powel212 said:

This sounds promising.

Do you have any further information or a web link on how i might find the relevant registry entries for; itunes, windows media player and internet explorer?

Thanks for your replies

Powel

Powel

I would be careful editing reg keys to exclude access. It may have extreme unintended consecquences. If you exclude all apps from a key you may end up not being able to (or remember) change it later. Couldn't you make the default program folder read only?

Ken

DLoad and install WinPatrol...it notifies you when anything wants to make changes to the registry...small and unobtrusive it runs in the system tray.
Also notifies when changes are attempted for the startup logs and a few other tasty treats...
Did i mention it is FREE ? ?

powel212 said:

Do you have any further information or a web link on how i might find the relevant registry entries for; itunes, windows media player and internet explorer?

Well for instance lets say an mp3 file. Go to classes root and find .mp3. In there will be a name like MP3.SoundFile. Search for MP3.SoundFile or whatever it's named. Once you find it, you should see a subkey called "shell" with in turn has other subkeys. That's what you want to lock down....shell.