Locking control panel

[crazychicken]

I have a few computers that some of my employees use. They somehow seem to keep messing up printer settings etc. Is there an easy way to lock/disable/hide the control panel settings so they cant mess with them?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[masteryoda34]

Local group policy editor. Start > Run > gpedit.msc

 

[crazychicken]

gpedit.msc not found. I forgot to mention I'm using windows xp.

Any other ideas?

 

[bruceb]

Just do it in the registry

http://www.pctools.com/guides/registry/detail/543/

User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
Explorer]
System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
Explorer]
Value Name: NoControlPanel
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = disable restriction, 1 = enable restriction)

 

[crazychicken]

ok NoControlPanel worked. The main thing I was trying to block though was the printer settings, and they can still be accessed from start->settings->printers and faxes

I found another key "NoPrinterTabs" and set it to 1 but it didn't seem to do anything. Anyone know how to block printer settings?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[bruceb]

Hide Control Panel, Printer and Network Settings
User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
Explorer]
System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
Explorer]
Value Name: NoSetFolders
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

From here:

http://www.stevetrefethen.com/...kingDownWindowsXP.aspx

 

[crazychicken]

hmm I tried that with the HKEY_CURRENT_USER key and it didn't seem to turn off the control panel or printers...

I have a HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\...\Policies, but there is no Explorer folder under policies. Should I just make one? Or am I in the wrong place? Or why is it missing?

Would I really have to change it in local_machine anyway? isn't that just so that you don't have to do it for every user?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[bruceb]

I think if you don't have that key, you need to add it. Also try looking at a site called Kellys Kornrer ... lots of good tips and premade fixes on there. http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp.htm

Try this:

http://www.magnesiummedia.com/...ties/details17901.html

 

[crazychicken]

Ok when I added the NoSetFolders to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE the control panel and printer disappeared from the start menu, but the control panel is still accessible if you go to My Computer and use the side bar. That seems a bit silly.

The link at magnesiummedia doesn't seem to work - i made an account and everything but then the download link just takes me to an empty ftp folder.

Dave

 

[bruceb]

Last try:

Click Start > Run, type regedit, press Enter and navigate to registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer. In the right pane look for three registry keys and make them 1 (one). They are NoControlPanel, RestrictCpl and NoSetFolders.

If this doesn't do it, then I am out of ideas and we would need someone very well versed in the registry.