Stop Windows XP from asking to install any standard device?

[mikeymikec]

I don't see this behaviour very often (e.g. plug in a USB flash drive, Windows wants to confirm that you want to install a USB Mass Storage Device, and every driver hasn't passed compatibility testing, etc), and it is even more rare that it actually causes a serious problem (like say a keyboard and mouse don't work because Windows requires you to click on certain prompts before installing them), but it's one of those things that I would like to know how to get working normally again when I encounter it.

Any ideas?

[Bubbaleone]

On Windows XP machines; open the Group Policy Editor (start>run>gpedit.msc). Navigate to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options > Devices, and configure "Unsigned driver installation" to "Silently succeed". This setting silently installs the driver without prompting for user confirmation.

Again in the Group Policy Editor, navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components. Scroll down and click Windows Installer and configure it to "Always install with elevated privileges". This setting directs Windows Installer to use system permissions when it installs any program on the system.

Note: the "Always install with elevated privileges" setting extends elevated privileges to all programs. These privileges are usually reserved for programs that have been assigned to the user (offered on the desktop), assigned to the computer (installed automatically), or made available in Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel. This setting lets users install programs that require access to directories that the user might not have permission to view or change, including directories on highly restricted computers.


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[mikeymikec]

Thanks for that, however IIRC XP Home doesn't give you access to Group Policy, does it?

I really ought to do an XP VM on my PC to check these things.

[Bubbaleone]

From The XP Home desktop; change User login to use the classic login dialog (type in user name and password) instead of the GUI. Restart the computer and boot into Safe Mode. Login as Administrator (blank password) and you have the same access to admin tools as you would in XP Pro.

[mikeymikec]

You can shortcut that a bit by just booting in safe mode, the admin login appears automatically, but I didn't realise that group policy appears that way, that's surprising. I was aware of the permissions tab appearing in safe mode.

[PC Perv]

very cool tip! does it work on windows 7, too?


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