stopping programs from changing my default application?

[powel212]

Hi

I am a big fan of user account controls in Vista and Win7.

I would like to know how I can stop any and all newly installed programs from being able to change or affect my default programs.

I build and maintain computers and once I have installed and set up a new system I don't want any program to change my default programs. Not even win media player or Internet explorer if they update themselves.

Does that make sense.

I use GOM as the default media player and firefox as the default browser. But sometimes if there is a system update for media player, internet explorer or even iTunes and quicktime these programs sometimes after the update change my default programs.


Once I have finalized my install and set up my preferences how can I lock down the default programs permanently?

Any help is apreciated.

Powel

 

[Sassa]

Try with going to Default Programs in Start Menu and then in Associate a file tipe or protocol with a program

 

[powel212]

Thank you.

I have done that, but after updates for some programs they will change my settings. This is what I want to block.

Any help is appreciated,

Powel

 

[ten]

Use deny permission on the relevant registry keys.

 

[harpua]

I have found that usually if one pays attention to all the screens presented during the install process, or looks for and selects, if available, the option to customize the install, there frequently will be an option to choose to make the program being installed default or not. Also during the install there frequently is a screen that allows one to choose what relevant file types to associate or not with the new program being installed. By paying attention to these screens during installation and making appropriate choices, one can usually prevent the new program from messing up one's existing defaults and file associations.

 

[powel212]

Use deny permission on the relevant registry keys.

This sounds promising.

Do you have any further information or a web link on how i might find the relevant registry entries for; itunes, windows media player and internet explorer?

Thanks for your replies

Powel

 

[zigzag3143]

This sounds promising.

Do you have any further information or a web link on how i might find the relevant registry entries for; itunes, windows media player and internet explorer?

Thanks for your replies

Powel

Powel

I would be careful editing reg keys to exclude access. It may have extreme unintended consecquences. If you exclude all apps from a key you may end up not being able to (or remember) change it later. Couldn't you make the default program folder read only?

Ken

 

[patio]

DLoad and install WinPatrol...it notifies you when anything wants to make changes to the registry...small and unobtrusive it runs in the system tray.
Also notifies when changes are attempted for the startup logs and a few other tasty treats...
Did i mention it is FREE ? ?

 

[ten]

Do you have any further information or a web link on how i might find the relevant registry entries for; itunes, windows media player and internet explorer?

Well for instance lets say an mp3 file. Go to classes root and find .mp3. In there will be a name like MP3.SoundFile. Search for MP3.SoundFile or whatever it's named. Once you find it, you should see a subkey called "shell" with in turn has other subkeys. That's what you want to lock down....shell.