Dumb Windows XP question

[Piratecat]

On my new PC, I have separate accounts set up for KidCthulhu and myself. Annoyingly enough, if I install software when logged in as me it doesn't show up for her... and vice versa. Is there an easy way to make installed program show up on the shared start menu, instead of the individual ones?

Thanks!

 

[dogoftheunderworld]

Some programs install for all users, some for the logged in user (some give you the choice).

Windows stores your separate desktops, start menus and settings in C:\Documents and Settings\username\...

After installing the program, Right Click on the Windows START button. Select "Explore All Users". Find the account used to load the program (e.g. \PirateCat), browse to the Desktop or Start Menu folder (depending on where the program short-cut was created). Right click and Copy the Program Short-cut. Browse to the "All Users" Desktop or Start Menu and Paste the shortcut.


Hope that makes sense.

Peace,

Brian
<><

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

On my new PC, I have separate accounts set up for KidCthulhu and myself. Annoyingly enough, if I install software when logged in as me it doesn't show up for her... and vice versa. Is there an easy way to make installed program show up on the shared start menu, instead of the individual ones?

Thanks!

Ah, the very reason we finally decided to get rid of seperate profiles and just share a single profile on our PC. :\
Well, this, and the fact that I-Tunes wouldn't let us combine our music libraries or upload songs from each others libraries onto Laura's I-Pod.

 

[Breakdaddy]

Yeah go to the C:/documents and settings/All Users/Desktop folder and pop any shortcuts you want her to access in there. Just cut them from your desktop into this folder and when you reboot you and her both will have them.

 

[Piratecat]

Bless your collective hearts. Thank you!

 

[der_kluge]

Is there anyway to get rid of the multiple user thing? My wife and I always sign on as me, but I never figured out how to just make it a generic signon. I'd like to get rid of the two accounts, and just have it go directly to the desktop. Not that it matters, much since I just leave it running all the time anyway...

Well, it's currently broken but that's a topic for another thread.

 

[GlassJaw]

Is there anyway to get rid of the multiple user thing?

Yes. It's under Control Panel > User Accounts. I'll have to check on my home PC for the exact settings.

Is there an easy way to make installed program show up on the shared start menu, instead of the individual ones?

You have to be logged in as the admin.

 

[Bauglir]

Is there anyway to get rid of the multiple user thing? My wife and I always sign on as me, but I never figured out how to just make it a generic signon. I'd like to get rid of the two accounts, and just have it go directly to the desktop. Not that it matters, much since I just leave it running all the time anyway...

Well, it's currently broken but that's a topic for another thread.

Do Start->Run and type:

control userpasswords2

select your account and untick "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer"

Hit OK, and enter your password twice (if you have one set up)

From then on it will automatically go into that account on startup, rather than prompting you.

 

[Neo]

You have to be logged in as the admin.

Yup, if you log in as Admin, anything you install should be available to all users unless you switch thier access to that program off.

You can however edit an account for another use via Control Panel/User Accounts as GlassJaw points out, once in another users user account you can determine what programs they can have access to.