can't access add/remove programs - system administrator problem

I just tried to go to add/remove programs and got the following message:
"This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this
computer. Please contact your system administrator." I am using my own
laptop, not a work laptop, and I have no idea why it has started doing this.
Any suggestions/solutions?

PS. The control panel is gone from the start menu. Not sure if this is
connected or not.
--
dcccb

Try creating a new account with Administrator privileges.

If that does not work then see below:
Note: The default password for the built in (hidden) Windows Administrator
account is normally blank (none).
You will use this account to remove the program or programs.

For XP Home users:
Boot the computer into Safe Mode
Do this by pressing the F8 key after the Power On Self Test is finished,
until the Start menu appears.
This will get you to the correct menu window.
Once in Safe Mode, you will see the normally hidden Administrator account
and any other accounts.
(Note: Accounts are displayed alphabetically).
Use the Up/down arrow keys to highlight the 'Adminstrator' account;
Remember as mentioned above: The default password is a blank (no password
required).

For XP Pro users:
You do not need to go into Safe Mode.
At the Welcome Screen, do/press the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys twice to display the
Windows logon box.
Type in "Administrator" (without the quotes) and 'if' you assigned a
password when you set up Windows, then enter it. (Note: by default the
password is blank, no password need be entered)

JS

"dcccb" <dcccb@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:54C38772-CB85-411F-B415-34963C8C6317@microsoft.com...
>I just tried to go to add/remove programs and got the following message:
> "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this
> computer. Please contact your system administrator." I am using my own
> laptop, not a work laptop, and I have no idea why it has started doing
> this.
> Any suggestions/solutions?
>
> PS. The control panel is gone from the start menu. Not sure if this is
> connected or not.
> --
> dcccb

I don't have an answer but have the same problem you reported with additional
symptoms and a warning. My computer's problems started with an error message
stating: "Windows Security Alert." Then in the Body it says "Warning
Potential Spyware Operation! Your computer is making unauthorized copies of
your system and internetfiles. Run full scan now to pervent any unauthirised
access to your files!

If you got this warning you need to remove the malicious hijacker software.
If you visited the website it referenced, it may have taken your personal
info.

I saw the misspelled words and recognized the warning as false and
malicious. I downloaded Spybot and removed the offending hijacker virus.
Unfortunately I still don't have access to control panel. The Microsoft
posting regarding operation cancelled /restrictions in effect / system
administrator (April 2003) was of no use. I am still searching other
websites. In addition, I can't connect to Microsoft updates, and I can't
change system settings.

"dcccb" wrote:

> I just tried to go to add/remove programs and got the following message:
> "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this
> computer. Please contact your system administrator." I am using my own
> laptop, not a work laptop, and I have no idea why it has started doing this.
> Any suggestions/solutions?
>
> PS. The control panel is gone from the start menu. Not sure if this is
> connected or not.
> --
> dcccb

I tried rebooting in safe mode and selecting administrator. The settings and
control panel are still not accessible. The same error message pops up.

"JS" wrote:

> Try creating a new account with Administrator privileges.
>
> If that does not work then see below:
> Note: The default password for the built in (hidden) Windows Administrator
> account is normally blank (none).
> You will use this account to remove the program or programs.
>
> For XP Home users:
> Boot the computer into Safe Mode
> Do this by pressing the F8 key after the Power On Self Test is finished,
> until the Start menu appears.
> This will get you to the correct menu window.
> Once in Safe Mode, you will see the normally hidden Administrator account
> and any other accounts.
> (Note: Accounts are displayed alphabetically).
> Use the Up/down arrow keys to highlight the 'Adminstrator' account;
> Remember as mentioned above: The default password is a blank (no password
> required).
>
> For XP Pro users:
> You do not need to go into Safe Mode.
> At the Welcome Screen, do/press the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys twice to display the
> Windows logon box.
> Type in "Administrator" (without the quotes) and 'if' you assigned a
> password when you set up Windows, then enter it. (Note: by default the
> password is blank, no password need be entered)
>
> JS
>
> "dcccb" <dcccb@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:54C38772-CB85-411F-B415-34963C8C6317@microsoft.com...
> >I just tried to go to add/remove programs and got the following message:
> > "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this
> > computer. Please contact your system administrator." I am using my own
> > laptop, not a work laptop, and I have no idea why it has started doing
> > this.
> > Any suggestions/solutions?
> >
> > PS. The control panel is gone from the start menu. Not sure if this is
> > connected or not.
> > --
> > dcccb
>
>
>

From Kelly's Korner: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 254 left column
Line 395 Right column

JS

"madeha" <madeha@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EF272042-1D5B-492C-94B6-D4C1B10002FC@microsoft.com...
>I don't have an answer but have the same problem you reported with
>additional
> symptoms and a warning. My computer's problems started with an error
> message
> stating: "Windows Security Alert." Then in the Body it says "Warning
> Potential Spyware Operation! Your computer is making unauthorized copies
> of
> your system and internetfiles. Run full scan now to pervent any
> unauthirised
> access to your files!
>
> If you got this warning you need to remove the malicious hijacker
> software.
> If you visited the website it referenced, it may have taken your personal
> info.
>
> I saw the misspelled words and recognized the warning as false and
> malicious. I downloaded Spybot and removed the offending hijacker virus.
> Unfortunately I still don't have access to control panel. The Microsoft
> posting regarding operation cancelled /restrictions in effect / system
> administrator (April 2003) was of no use. I am still searching other
> websites. In addition, I can't connect to Microsoft updates, and I can't
> change system settings.
>
> "dcccb" wrote:
>
>> I just tried to go to add/remove programs and got the following message:
>> "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this
>> computer. Please contact your system administrator." I am using my own
>> laptop, not a work laptop, and I have no idea why it has started doing
>> this.
>> Any suggestions/solutions?
>>
>> PS. The control panel is gone from the start menu. Not sure if this is
>> connected or not.
>> --
>> dcccb

On 8 sep, 09:50, dcccb <dc...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> I just tried to go to add/remove programs and got the following message:
> "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this
> computer. Please contact your system administrator." I am using my own
> laptop, not a work laptop, and I have no idea why it has started doing this.
> Any suggestions/solutions?
>
> PS. The control panel is gone from the start menu. Not sure if this is
> connected or not.
> --
> dcccb

did you find the solutions. I am facing the same problem.for me it is
giving the error of certificates also.

The "NoControlPanel" Policy if set, prevents Control.exe, the Control Panel executable file, from starting. As a result, users cannot start Control Panel or run any Control Panel programs. A value of 1 also removes Control Panel from the Start menu, and it removes the Control Panel folder from Windows Explorer. If a user tries to start a Control Panel program by another method, a message appears explaining that a policy prevents the action.

If yours is a standalone system (not a part of a corporate network), then try this:

Click Start, Run and type "regedit.exe" Press {ENTER}

Navigate to the following branch:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ExplorÂÂ*ÂÂ*er

Backup the key by exporting it (from the File menu, choose Export) as a REG file.

In the right pane of the above key, delete the value named "NoControlPanel" (if found)

Repeat the same in this branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ExploÂÂ*ÂÂ*rer

Exit the Registry Editor.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"dcccb" <dcccb@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:54C38772-CB85-411F-B415-34963C8C6317@microsoft.com...
I just tried to go to add/remove programs and got the following message:
"This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this
computer. Please contact your system administrator." I am using my own
laptop, not a work laptop, and I have no idea why it has started doing this.
Any suggestions/solutions?

PS. The control panel is gone from the start menu. Not sure if this is
connected or not.
--
dcccb

The "NoControlPanel" Policy if set, prevents Control.exe, the Control Panel executable file, from starting. As a result, users cannot start Control Panel or run any Control Panel programs. A value of 1 also removes Control Panel from the Start menu, and it removes the Control Panel folder from Windows Explorer. If a user tries to start a Control Panel program by another method, a message appears explaining that a policy prevents the action.

If yours is a standalone system (not a part of a corporate network), then try this:

Click Start, Run and type "regedit.exe" Press {ENTER}

Navigate to the following branch:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ExplorÂ*Â*er

Backup the key by exporting it (from the File menu, choose Export) as a REG file.

In the right pane of the above key, delete the value named "NoControlPanel" (if found)

Repeat the same in this branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ExploÂ*Â*rer

Exit the Registry Editor.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


<pmanish@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1189630206.194643.101450@22g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
On 8 sep, 09:50, dcccb <dc...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> I just tried to go to add/remove programs and got the following message:
> "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this
> computer. Please contact your system administrator." I am using my own
> laptop, not a work laptop, and I have no idea why it has started doing this.
> Any suggestions/solutions?
>
> PS. The control panel is gone from the start menu. Not sure if this is
> connected or not.
> --
> dcccb

did you find the solutions. I am facing the same problem.for me it is
giving the error of certificates also.

It worked with me
Thanks,
And I still have the following problems:
I can NOT access my wifi program (I can log in through Microsoft connections
and get on line but not through the Intel one) and I can Not access add
remove programs

What happens when you access Add/Remove Programs? Are you getting the following error?

"Add or Remove Programs has been restricted. Please check with your administrator."

See here:

Error message when trying to access Add or Remove Programs:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/63/1/

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"spendi" <spendi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:A895AA73-0D41-47FB-90F9-DDE6CA0BA4FA@microsoft.com...
It worked with me
Thanks,
And I still have the following problems:
I can NOT access my wifi program (I can log in through Microsoft connections
and get on line but not through the Intel one) and I can Not access add
remove programs