Install software for single user only

[crazyhazy]

My laptop has 4 user accounts all with administrator privileges, how do I install software for myself only so it doesnt show up in the other users start menu etc?

 

[severedsolo]

as far as im aware this is done on a program by program basis, some give you the option some dont,

i would guess that as alot (all?) programs need to be installed by an administrator windows saves you the hassle of reinstalling with admin credentials on each individual account by just installing them for everyone

 

[logicearth]

Install the application into a directory in your User directory.

 

[ccatlett1984]

Other admin's can browse to your user directory. Just an FYI.

 

[Pichu]

Not without your password Even as an admin, I do not think you can go into other admin's directory with out a password.

Why don't you try this? Create a new folder that is not in the program files folder. Install your program into this new folder. Then, alter the security settings of this folder so that only you are able to access the folder. You must right click the user and go to the security tab. You should see a list of group or user names. Click on EDIT and delete the controls that other administrators have on this folder. Make it so that only SYSTEM and your own profile has full control, read and execute, read, and write privileges for the folder. That programs should now only be able to be accessed on your account

 

[ccatlett1984]

Not without your password Even as an admin, I do not think you can go into other admin's directory with out a password.

Why don't you try this? Create a new folder that is not in the program files folder. Install your program into this new folder. Then, alter the security settings of this folder so that only you are able to access the folder. You must right click the user and go to the security tab. You should see a list of group or user names. Click on EDIT and delete the controls that other administrators have on this folder. Make it so that only SYSTEM and your own profile has full control, read and execute, read, and write privileges for the folder. That programs should now only be able to be accessed on your account

YES they can.

 

[karlsnooks]

Pichu,
Yes, they can and they can do much, much more to another admin's account/profile/etc.

 

[Pichu]

never knew that...that is scary you know? lol sorry guys for posting wrong information =(
But still, you can edit the security so that only specific people are allowed to access specific files. You can definitely modify it. I have installed software before that came configured so that only the account that installed it has access to the software because of a security setting in the folder the program installs to.

 

[logicearth]

The thing is...any user part of the administrators group can almost modify any ACL to give them access. If you absolutely want to keep certain users out, make them standard users. That or change the "Take Ownership" right.

 

[Pichu]

This software I was referring to is the online exe installer for Mabinogi, a game by nexon. Somehow, it will only install to the user that installed it on the computer. It also denies other users from changing the security profiles. I guess that is because the game is based on Hackshield, which prevented such altercations..

 

[mowarsh]

I'm having a similar problem

My problem is similar...but... I have Admin access and my son has a "regular" user account. It's mostly games that I don't think he is old enough for that seem to be the problem. It seems that when I install the games an Icon immediately appears on his desktop as well. Then I have to go into his account and delete all the icons. (sometimes that affects MY icons as well) :huh:. It's really frustrating.
Any ideas?
thanks
Mowarsh

 

[ccatlett1984]

When you install software it ususally puts its icons in the "all users" desktop. So everyone can see the shortcut without have to create a seperate shortcut on every single users desktop. You just need to cut the shortcut from the all users desktop and paste it onto your own.

c:\users\all users\desktop\

 

[logicearth]

When you install software it ususally puts its icons in the "all users" desktop. So everyone can see the shortcut without have to create a seperate shortcut on every single users desktop. You just need to cut the shortcut from the all users desktop and paste it onto your own.

c:\users\all users\desktop\

Don't you mean "Public" folder? The "All Users" folder is a junction which should not have its permissions modified.

 

[tbernstein]

Normally ( I don't know about this programme, which sounds quite specific) there are two parts to this.
The real, executable programme sits on the HD in the programmes folder. And navigating to this and clicking on the exe will lauch it. As will a search for it.
And the icon (link) to start it from the start menu can be either in a general start menu folder,or one specific to one user. ( The start menus are are special folders) Windows will display all the start items together, according to your own log-in.
So to change access you need to shift the link from the all users start menu folder to the one specific to you.
The same goes for the desktop, which is another special folder. And the startup folder.
But it can still be launched by clicking on the exe's icon.
Beyond that there are policies that can be applied and used to prevent or restrict access to other users. But that is getting a bit high vaulted for most users.

 

[Barman58]

My problem is similar...but... I have Admin access and my son has a "regular" user account. It's mostly games that I don't think he is old enough for that seem to be the problem. It seems that when I install the games an Icon immediately appears on his desktop as well. Then I have to go into his account and delete all the icons. (sometimes that affects MY icons as well) :huh:. It's really frustrating.
Any ideas?
thanks
Mowarsh

This is a fairly simple issue to resolve - win7 has a quite advanced Parental controls system for this very purpose

Just search for parental controls in windows help - all is explained including website control and time limits in addition to blacklisting programs

 

[CommonTater]

My laptop has 4 user accounts all with administrator privileges, how do I install software for myself only so it doesnt show up in the other users start menu etc?

Easiest way is to move the program icons from the common start menu to your personal start menu...

If you right click on the "All Programs" link in your start menu you can open these folders and then just move the icons.

If you want to make it so that only you can run the program... even by clicking it in the Program Files folder, right click the program executable and set an allow permission for yourself only and a deny permission (after that) for "Everyone"... You should then be the only person who can execute the program.

 

[logicearth]

If you want to make it so that only you can run the program... even by clicking it in the Program Files folder, right click the program executable and set an allow permission for yourself only and a deny permission (after that) for "Everyone"... You should then be the only person who can execute the program.

If you set a DENY permission on "Everyone", then no one will have permission.
DENY permissions overrule ALLOW permissions. Always.

 

[CommonTater]

If you want to make it so that only you can run the program... even by clicking it in the Program Files folder, right click the program executable and set an allow permission for yourself only and a deny permission (after that) for "Everyone"... You should then be the only person who can execute the program.

If you set a DENY permission on "Everyone", then no one will have permission.
DENY permissions overrule ALLOW permissions. Always.

You're right... my mistake. You would have to set deny permissions for each user, individually, that you don't want running the program.

Thanks for catching that.

 

[ACMDogfight1997]

Can you say that in simplest way of explaining possible.

Hello everyone! Right now I'm using my mom's laptop who also has her own desktop after my own laptop was taken to my local PC shop for some work. During the meantime, I want to use my mom's laptop as I would use my own under a different account and I don't want programs such as Steam to appear on my mom's account (which is the administrator account). I've read the replies to the original poster and to other replies, but it seems all Greek to me.

Can anyone explain to me what I should do in the most simplest explanation possible. I know many things about folders, accounts, and such, but I also have autism which kind of gives me a slight difficulty in reading. Let me know!

 

[jonnyhotchkiss]

Getting back on topic - install for single use, and impact

I use lots of software. I'm always trying new stuff out,and I hate that programs leave stuff everywhere. And they do.

I love sandboxie. It's great for trying software, and removing all trace...

Thinking about programs that provide the option to install for current user only, programs that install services (like TuneUp),I'm wondering what impact this has.

I'll create a new admin profile and see if TuneUp is installed/started.

This still leaves the predicament for software that doesn't provide the option to install for current/all user(s)

Thinking about trying a registry-monitored software installed (using systracer) but not sure if a) this will capture everything or b) allow for install-manipulation (force current-user-only-style-install)

thoughts, as always, most welcome