Solved Problem with shortcuts program icon in users account

[waltdisneypixar]

hi

i have two accounts created in windows 7
when i installed a program in my account it creates a shortcut icon in my desktop
and if i go to the other account and to the desktop i see the icon and if i delete the icon then i gets deleted in my desktop too

why?

 

[gregrocker]

In your own account, try rightclicking on the Program File's .exe to Send to Desktop.

It's likely that the program's installer writes the desktop icon to all User Desktops if it's installed for all users. But creating a shortcut in your User account should limit itself to your desktop.

 

[Mellon Head]

You must have installed the program for "All Users" rather than just the "Current User". If you install for all, the icon will show up on every account's desktop. Getting rid of the program will remove it from every user.

If you want anything to be installed for a particular user, then you must choose to install for that user only. Be aware that some installers aren't sophisticated enough to allow you to do this, they default to all users. I can't seem to find a way to force a program to install for only one user, unless the installer is written that way.

Someone else may know of a method.

LOL. And as I'm trying to answer the question, gregrocker answers it the right way. Good job, Greg.

 

[Brink]

Hello Walt,

In addition:

(Current user Desktop folder)
C:\Users\(user-name)\Desktop


(All users Desktop hidden folder)
C:\Users\Public\Desktop

 

[waltdisneypixar]

so the problem is with the installer that should ask if i want to install only for me or for all users

right?

is not windows' fault?

 

[gregrocker]

Correct.

If you're not sure whether the program offered choice of users for install then you can uninstall it and reinstall if possible only for the Users you want.

But if you know for sure it doesn't offer the choice, then copy the Program's .exe shortcut per Brink's post only to your User Desktop and not Public Desktop.

 

[waltdisneypixar]

thank you all

 

[waltdisneypixar]

all installers should be like this one:

 

[andrew129260]

Keep in mind if all users is not chosen, this will usually prevent the software from running under the other account. I would install for all users, but have the other accounts as standard or limited users.

This way they could not delete the icon. If both accounts are admin, then it will do what everyone stated above. Admins would have the right to delete the icon, thus deleting it from all users Public desktop. This would of course cause the icon to disappear on everyone else's accounts.

But if the user is limited or standard they would not be able to remove the desktop icon themselves. Unless you put in your password on uac and elevated them, or you went to their desktop folder and removed it.
Most installers reluctantly do not offer the install for only your user or everyone option.
At least, the programs I install don't.

 

[waltdisneypixar]

Admins would have the right to delete the icon, thus deleting it from all users Public desktop. This would of course cause the icon to disappear on everyone else's accounts.

that is the saddest part you delete the icon in public desktop and yours got deleted as well