Locked Out: Can't re-install keybd/mouse because of no-install policy.

[mpg]

I'm locked out of my Windows 7 Pro x64 system. I lost my keyboard and in the process of restoring it, I deleted the drivers for my mouse and keyboard. Ordinarily the mouse and keyboard would have been installed on a reboot. However, because another piece of hardware was re-installing every time I booted the system, I changed the policy to prevent auto installs. I did the policy change a long time ago and forgot about it, until now. So now when I boot the system, I have no keyboard or mouse. What I do have is another system hard drive that I can use to boot XP. When I do this I can access the files of my Windows 7 hard drive. Is there a Windows file I can delete, temporarily, to remove permissions so I can re-install my keyboard and mouse? I've found This file in the Windows folder of my Window 7 files: f:/Windows/Security/ApplicationsID/PolicyManagement/AppIdPolicy.xsd. I suppose I could remove this file and see what happens. I'm reluctant to do so for concern over messing up the system. Any suggestions?

 

[gregrocker]

You already messed up your System when you changed policy instead of disabling hardware you didn't want installing in Device Manager. If you don't have a System Restore point from far enough back, then what's needed is a System Image to restore. If you don't have either then now would be a good time to do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7 and this time stick with the tools and methods (and backup image) that assure these problems are avoided. Over a million people have used that tutorial who have perfect installs without a single complaint.