Subj : Re: WinXP multi users
To   : Marty Blankenship
From : Alan Zisman
Date : Sun Jan 25 2004 10:29 am

-=> Marty Blankenship wrote to All <=-

 MB> I have a question about the way WinXP handles multiple users on the
 MB> same computer. I have WinXP setup with 6 different users to access the
 MB> computer by way of the windows logon. Each user can pick which
 MB> background they want when they are logged in. Everything fine there
 MB> until I install a new game and it doesn't alyways show up on the other
 MB> users program list. I have installed a game and put in the reg code for
 MB> the game on my account and when my daughters try to play the game I
 MB> have to put the reg codes back in. I have to do this for all the users
 MB> on the machine each time I install something new. I installed Warcraft
 MB> 3 on my account and when my oldest daughter wanted to play the game,
 MB> Warcraft said that the game needed to be installed again. Why is this
 MB> and is there an easy way to install something and only put the codes in
 MB> once for all the users to see the program?

 Unfortunately, different programs deal with this is different ways. Moreover, 
there are several issues involved.

WinXP (and Win 2000 and NT) have subfolders of C:\Documents and Settings for 
each registered user, as well as one labelled All Users. Within each is a 
Desktop folder, Favorites folder, SendTo, Templates, and Start Menu folder...

If a program installs its icon within the individual user's Start Menu (and 
optionally Desktop) folder, the icon(s) won't appear in other users' Start 
Menus (and/or Desktops). If, however, the icons are installed in the 
appropriate All Users' folders, everyone will see them.

Better installation routines offer an option on this; most, however, do one or 
the other without asking user input or even letting the user know what they're 
doing.

 Since none of this effects the core installation of the program-- including 
Registry settings, in most cases the appropriate icons can be moved-- from the 
individual user's Start Menu and/or Desktop folders to the appropriate 
locations in the All Users' folders (or the reverse if you don't want everyone 
to have access). 

 To do so, assuming you're logged in on an account with Administrative 
priviledges-- right-click on the Start button and choose Explore All Users from 
the popup menu. This will show an Explorer window with the contents of the All 
Users Start Menu in the right-hand window. The left-hand section will include a 
folder-tree showing all the different users... from it, you can see into any 
user's Start Menu, and move any icons to the All Users' Start Menu folders.

 This may not help your problem re. reg codes... that may be hard-wired into 
the program itself, and not be a matter of where the icons to start the game 
are located. Similarly, some versions of Word Perfect Suite needed a different 
install routine (buried deep in the ReadMe file) in order to be installed for 
multiple users.


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