Is this possible?

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  1. Posts : 3
    OS X
       #1

    Is this possible?


    Basically I want to make certain files read-only. I only want one account, which is the administrator, and to edit these files, you need to give the admin password. However, when logging in, you don't need any password, or when installing any program. Only time you need the admin password, is when you are editing these files.

    Thanks for the help, I hope I what I wrote is not confusing, if you still don't understand, feel free to ask and i'll elaborate...
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 24
    Windows 7 (x86)
       #2

    Certain files? Please verify the extensions..?

    Sounds possible to me.

    Google AxCrypt, freeware, of which you can use to Encrypt/Decrypt any file with a password. Note that AxCrypt doesn't need to be installed on another computer to decrypt. (I think)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,241
    Windows 7 Profesional x86, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
       #3

    I believe to satisfy exactly what you're asking is very difficult, mainly because in order to use most password protecting software you have to encrypt the file making it impossible to read or right without the password, this defeating the point in your case.

    I'm sorry for an inconvienient truth.

    Oli
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3
    OS X
    Thread Starter
       #4

    You don't need a software…you can just use the Read-Only attribute in filesystem built into windows. Specifically I want to make the HOST file Read-Only
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  5. Posts : 1,403
    Win 7 Ultimate 32bit
       #5

    You need to read up on permissions.

    Admins have access to all things and can change permissions at will.

    You really need to read up on permissions to do what you want.

    Yes, it is possible. But not as an admin only account.


    Host file can be made read only by right clicking it and checking the read only box under properties.
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  6. Posts : 1,325
    Windows7 Ultimate 64bit
       #6

    s199, no - that's not possible... See, Windows runs on "accounts" paradigm. You need to "identify" your self to the system, then the system will determine "who" you are, and permits access to any subsystems accordingly. If you want to limit access down to file level, you need 3rd party software, AxCrypt looks good.

    zzz2496
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,241
    Windows 7 Profesional x86, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
       #7

    s199 said:
    You don't need a software…you can just use the Read-Only attribute in filesystem built into windows. Specifically I want to make the HOST file Read-Only
    You can't if you have a single Administrator account, another user could just untick the box as easily as you ticked it.

    You require third party software to even have a remote chance of being able to accomplish this using only one account.

    I think the only feasable way of doing this would be to have two or more accounts and to setup the appropriate permissions like Tepid said.

    One admin password protected with full write support and several standard user accounts with no password but only read only access.

    Oli
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 11,990
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
       #8

    I think osholt has nailed it. That is the easiest, less complex, and most workable solution. I think you could do this with one additional user account.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3
    OS X
    Thread Starter
       #9

    ok so I understand that I need at least two accounts to do this. Is there a way I can have an administrator account and a user account, but on the login screen it automatically logs in as the user account? Also what settings would I have to change to allow the user account to access any file, install anything, just except for editing the HOST file?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 11,990
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
       #10

    Someone with more knowledge than I may have a better solution. If I understand this correctly, you want the second account to be a full admin account, but without access to the Hosts file as the only difference?

    The easiest way is to create another admin account rather than a user account. Using Windows Explorer, right click on Hosts and select properties. Click on the Security tab and click on the edit button to change the permissions. Make sure you are changing the permissions for that new account. Leave Read & exceute and Read checked. This account will be able to view the file, but not make any changes.

    Another way to to this is install an anti malware program or a third party firewall that has the option to lock the Hosts file. If the Hosts file is locked, you will not be able to modify it without going into the program that locked it and unlock it. Another user on your machine would have no idea what is locking the Hosts file. If you do this, you would not need an additional account.

    I really don't understand the concern about access to the Hosts file unless you are sharing your computer.
      My Computer


 
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