Completely disable the Win7 power button?

[bgirardbond]

Is there any way to completely disable the Win7 power button? I mean removing or disabling shut down, hibernate, log off, switch user... all of the options. I manage a large public computer network for a library and the computers need to stay logged on to a specific user at all times. We implemented autologin so that the computers boot and log in to that user, but our patrons keep logging out of the session and we have to manually log back into the session.

So is there any way to take away the option to shut down the computer or log off or switch user from our patrons? Or if there isn't any, is it possible to make it so that whenever a user logs off, it automatically logs back in with a specific username and password?

Thanks!

 

[Devux]

Change what happens when you press the power button on your computer

Pretty much the same options as XP had, but like anything in Windows 7 you just have to hunt for where they are now.

 

[bgirardbond]

Well the thing is I don't want anything to happen. I don't want users to be able to log off, or hibernate, or shut down, or lock the computer... It seems like I have to choose one of those options, but I just want them to disappear completely...

 

[Devux]

There should be the option in there that says "do nothing"

 

[bgirardbond]

Oh I get what you're saying. My bad, I forgot to specify that I mean the button in the Start menu, not the one on the computer.

 

[Devux]

Oh, different subject entirely. Try this one:
Remove Shutdown and Restart Buttons In Windows 7 - How-To Geek

 

[Bongo]

Oh, different subject entirely. Try this one:
Remove Shutdown and Restart Buttons In Windows 7 - How-To Geek

This would do part of it if you have Local Group Policy Editor

Note: This process uses Local Group Policy Editor which is not available in Starter or Home versions of Windows 7.

it still leaves Log off, Switch user, and Lock.
From what I have read you can do 1 or the other not
both.
But I have removed the images & put a blank font in there & got this (screenshots) they are still there but
you cannot see them, the tooltip balloon still shows up but it is delayed a little & that text can be blank to, the little menu cannot be removed at all but can have a solid color. If you are using the default aero theme I can do it for you.
Maybe if they do not see it they wont try it?
Jerry

 

[bgirardbond]

That might just work! Thanks, Bongo.

 

[Bongo]

That might just work! Thanks, Bongo.

OK I will do that in the AM. I will put it all together in a zip folder, you will need to install the blank font (it will be in the zip)
We will try another way 1st but you may have to do 1 of these 2 ways of Enabling custom themes
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/34579-enabling-custom-themes-windows-7-a.html
Or
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/28377-theme-how-apply-custom-themes.html?filter

Jerry

 

[Bongo]

OK I got it for you, I tested it & you will need to do 1 of these 2 ways of Enabling custom themes. Changing the images makes it a custom theme.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/34579-enabling-custom-themes-windows-7-a.html
Or
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/28377-theme-how-apply-custom-themes.html?filter

After that put the theme folder & the msstyle (screenshot)in
C:\Windows\Resources\Themes
Right click on the font & click on install
It will show up in Personalization as nostartbutton if
You would like a different name let me know.
Jerry

 

[bgirardbond]

Thanks for your work, Bongo! I got it to work on my personal computer, and now I have to get around all the restrictions on our public computers... but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to!

Thanks again!

 

[Bongo]

Thanks for your work, Bongo! I got it to work on my personal computer, and now I have to get around all the restrictions on our public computers... but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to!

Thanks again!

Your Welcome
Can the public get to Personalization in the control panel or right click menu?
If you do not like it showing up in Personalization as nostartbutton (I should have name it noshutdownbutton) let my know I know a way to make it aero in Personalization.
Jerry

 

[arkhaminmate]

Awesome fix! Is there a way you could create a customized theme based on the Win 7 Classic theme that does the same thing? That is, "hides" the Power button? Much appreciated.

 

[Bongo]

Awesome fix! Is there a way you could create a customized theme based on the Win 7 Classic theme that does the same thing? That is, "hides" the Power button? Much appreciated.

Welcome to the Seven Forums
Windows 7 Classic Theme as far as I know cannot be themed.
Sorry
Jerry