- Optimizing the PC for Shared or Public Use
- Configuring User Accounts
- Configuring Global Computer Restrictions
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Configuring User Accounts
The first thing you'll want to do is create and configure user accounts. If the PC will be used for the general public, you might just want one account restricted with SteadyState.
However, if there is a specific set of users for the PC, you might find it necessary to make multiple accounts.
To create an account, click Add a new user in the lower-right corner. Then fill in the general account settings and click OK. You'll be taken to the User Settings window, where you can set the restrictions.
On the first tab, you can change the locking and session time limit settings. Plus you can specify the User Location. This is where the account profile will be stored.
If you reformatted your drive and created at least two partitions before reinstalling Windows, you'll see more than one location that you can pick.
Choosing the blank partition (the one that Windows isn't installed on) means that the account profile and files in their personal folders are exempt from Disk Protection. You can read more about this feature in a later section.
On the Windows Restrictions tab (see Figure 2), you can prevent the user from accessing certain Windows items[md]or hide them altogether.
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If the PC won't have any regular users and is for the general public, you'll probably want to use the High restrictions level. However, if you still want the XP look and feel, you should uncheck Allow only the Classic Start menu.
If it's for a specific set of users, you might want to ease up even more on the restrictions.
On the Feature Restrictions tab (see Figure 3), you can prevent access to, or hide, items in Microsoft products such as Internet Explorer and Office. You can also set the Home Page URL for Internet Explorer.
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Finally, the Block Programs tab lists most of the computer's applications. You can select the desired programs and move them to the block list.