How to prevent users from altering settings ?

[Anikait]

hi,

I have Windows XP operating system and I have set some of my Windows settings as per my preferences under which I like to work. However, when someone uses on my computer system, some of these settings are altered.
Can somebody help me with how to protect the user from altering these settings ?

thank you....

[Sam.D]

Windows has a system called Group Policies, which allows the system administrator to control what activities other computer users are allowed to do. You can restrict what users do down to a fine level of detail, from what items they can see in the Control Panel, or whether they are allowed to access the Control Panel at all; to whether they can move or resize the Task Bar and whether any changes to the desktop are saved when they log out. The group policy settings are stored in the registry. However, the standard Windows control panels provide no way to change any of these settings.

[Sam.D]

Group Policy Editor

Windows XP Professional comes with a tool called the Group Policy Editor. This allows an administrator to change the system policy settings as required. The Group Policy Editor is not included in Windows XP Home.

If you have Windows XP Professional, you can start the Group Policy Editor by clicking Start >> Run >> entering the command gpedit.msc.
However, the Group Policy Editor is a powerful tool that should be used with care. It is a tool designed for use by professional system administrators who have received appropriate training in how to use it. In untutored hands it is easy to deny yourself access to your own computer. This is why the Group Policy Editor is not included in Windows XP Home. But even if you do have Windows XP Professional, you should consider using a safer alternative.

[Raine]

If you don’t want anybody to modify the color scheme or display settings you have set in your Windows, follow these steps -

Open your Notepad.
Copy-and-paste the following code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem]
“NoColorChoice”=dword:00000001

Now save the file as lockmycolor.reg
Double click on the file to merge this code to the registry.
Now turn your computer off and start again to view changes to take effect.

Goodluck !!

[JonathanD]

You can also use third party software called Tweaking Toolbox XP.

1. Tweaking Toolbox XP is a versatile system customizing tool for Windows XP. It lets you dig into hundreds of system settings and change them to your needs.
2. You can also restrict others from accessing system features, such as Control Panel items, Internet Explorer features and settings, the Start Menu. The utility allows you to restrict access to individual applications and change the above-mentioned settings for all user accounts on the system at once.