Many kids have their own computers. As parents, this poses a problem with computer safety; not only to keep your kids safe but to make sure they do not do something that will cause damage to OS.  A great way to keep a leash on the activity is to setup the accounts as limited. Unfortunately this will keep some already installed apps from working, including some games. There is a solution to this problem.  This quick and easy tweak will enable you to keep the account set as limited and still allow running of applications that require an Administrator account.

(Note: The VBScript file used in this article is © Doug Knox.  Visit www.dougknox.com for some other nifty utilities and tweaks)

We understand that some of you may have issues with downloading a file that will make modifications to your system without knowing what is in the file.  The contents of the .VBS and .REG file are included in the Appendix.

Warning: AOA cannot assume any responsiblity for damage to your system that may occur as a result of the application of this tweak.  While we believe it to be generally safe to apply to a system, there is always the possibility that a unique system configuration may not handle this tweak well.  You assume any and all risks.

First create an account called “able2play”

 Create a password for your new account.

 You have now created your new account.

Log off, and log on to your new account. This will create all of the necessary files for your new account.

Now log off and log back on as the Administrator.

 Now that you have created the account, you need to prevent the account from being seen at the welcome screen.

 Open up the zip file containing the registry file and the VBS script.

Run the VBS script first.

Click Open

 Enter the “able2play” account name.

Click OK. 

 You have now hidden the account from the welcome screen.

Now you will want to run the registry entry. This will stop anyone from staying logged into the account if they go to the traditional logon screen.

Click Yes.

Click OK. 

To use your new account, right click on a program shortcut and select “Run As”.

Select “The following user” radio button and enter “able2play” into the user name box and your password into the password box.  The shortcut will now run.

Make sure you create all of the shortcuts you plan for them to run on the desktop .

You can make this more effective by cleaning up the start menu. Remove anything you do not want access to. I actually hide the entire “C” drive contents.

I also use a free program called WEblocker. This is an internet filter that works great. It is completely customizable so you can only enable certain sites or restrict words or sites.

Discuss this article in the forums!  

Contents of file 'xp_hide_users.vbs' 

'xp_hide_users.vbs
'Hide User on the Windows XP Welcome Screen
'© Doug Knox - 05/01/02
'Downloaded from www.dougknox.com

Option Explicit
On Error Resume Next

'Declare variables
Dim WSHShell, n, p, itemtype, MyBox, User, Title, Prompt

'set variables
p = "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList\"
itemtype = "REG_DWORD"
n = 0

Prompt = "Enter the username you wish to hide."
Title = "Hide User on Welcome screen"
User = InputBox(Prompt, Title,"")

If User = "" Then
    Title = "Error!"
    Prompt = "You left the user name blank."
    MyBox = MsgBox(Prompt,4096,Title)
Else
    p = p & User
    Set WSHShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
    WSHShell.RegWrite p, n, itemtype
    Title = "Success"
    Prompt = User & " is now hidden on the Welcome screen."   
   
    MyBox = MsgBox(Prompt, 4096, Title)
End If

Set WshShell = Nothing

Contents of file 'OnlyRunUsingAble2PlayAccount.Reg'

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"Logoff"="logoff"