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Author Topic: Stop unauthorised user installing?  (Read 6952 times)

m_s

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Stop unauthorised user installing?
« on: September 21, 2005, 08:27 AM »
Does anybody know of any freeware (or donationware!) software that will make it impossible for an unauthorised user to install software on a shared machine?

Carol Haynes

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Re: Stop unauthorised user installing?
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2005, 09:25 AM »
Unfortunately I can't find it any more, and I can't remember its name but there is a product designed for education establishments that goes one stage further. It allows you to set up windows as you want it and then everytime you reboot the system windows is restored to that format. That is ALL changes made during a windows session are completely lost (including registry changes, files saved etc.).

You could exclude other partitions from the restore so that you can save files separately during work and not have them wiped, and there was a command console which could unlock the system so you could make changes.

The programme also locked modification via BIOS hacks.

Originally designed for schools, so that you could always simply press the reset button and get a standard system, I toyed with the idea of using the system at home too for people sharing my computer. Seemed a bit like overkill to me but you may find it useful.

I will wrack my brains and see if I can find it or remember what it was called ... anyone else know what I am talking about?

Veign

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Re: Stop unauthorised user installing?
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2005, 09:26 AM »
Not sure what OS's you are looking to support but check out the new Power Toy from Microsoft.

I have yet to play with it but it seems like it should handle what you want.  Let me know if it works out for you.

Carol Haynes

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Re: Stop unauthorised user installing?
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2005, 10:37 AM »
That looks very similar to commercial program I remember seeing.

Veign

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Re: Stop unauthorised user installing?
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2005, 10:39 AM »
That tool just became available so I don't know too much about it but I would think it would handle protecting a computer from installs by restricted users.

m_s

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Re: Stop unauthorised user installing?
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2005, 12:50 PM »
The PowerToy really seems to fit my needs - thanks for the pointer, Veign.  Downloading it now...

tsaint

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Re: Stop unauthorised user installing?
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2005, 06:08 AM »
Carol, I think you may have been trying to think of "deep freeze" at
http://www.faronics..../html/deepfreeze.asp

Carol Haynes

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Re: Stop unauthorised user installing?
« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2005, 06:40 AM »
Thanks - that's the one - been driving me nuts ...  :o