How to Control Specific Programs for Different Users in Windows 7

Melanie Gross
Aug 18, 2011
Apps, Software, Windows, Windows tips
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When it comes to using a shared computer, there are important considerations to think about in terms of programs that users can access. Naturally, you don’t want everybody to have Administrator privileges because any user could affect settings. If there are kids using the PC, this could turn out to be a sticky situation. Some users may only need certain programs and you probably don’t want them to have access to everything. There are many different circumstances when user account control is a smart move. A family PC is one instance. You don’t want the wrong people accessing the wrong information, particularly if it is personal in nature. Small business PCs are another story. Access needs to be restricted for some users. Don’t let everybody use the Administrator’s account. It is a bad idea but you would be surprised how many people allow this. Windows 7 makes user account control simple. This is an easy tutorial to show how to specify which users can use certain programs in Windows 7. Take command of your PC when multiple users are involved. This article focuses on using Local Group Policy Editor. This is not available on home versions of Windows 7, but is available with Windows7 Professional. The home version is for solitary users who do not need the Professional perks and don’t have user issues to contend with.

Click the Start Menu and then enter “gpedit.msc” in the search box and press enter.

group policy editor windows 7

You will have to be logged in as an Administrator to make these changes. This is the whole point. Nobody else can make these changes without an Administrator password.

Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System. Under Setting, scroll down and then double-click on “Run only specified Windows applications”. If this is your first time attempting this and you are concerned about messing things up, simply create a restore point before commencing. This will allow you to go back and start over if you do something you didn’t mean to do. Restore points are a bailout. System restore allows you to undo changes.

run only specified applications

When you double-click “Run only specified Windows applications, you will be presented with the following window and you will need to set to “Enabled” as indicated.

applications

You may list as many applications as seen fit. The only trick is to get the name of the app or program correct. That’s it. Fill the list up with all applications to be shared and you are ready to go. When you are finished, close out the Local Group Policy Editor and you are done.

Should any user try to use an application that was not listed in the Local Group Policy Editor, an error message will be displayed and access will be denied.

Click the “Show” button located adjacent to “List of allowed applications”. This opens a dialog box where you will be able to enter all of the applications and programs that you want to allow users to run. In this example, an antivirus program was added. The user of this PC wants all users to be able to have access to antivirus software at all times, so the antivirus software is included. It is very important to list ALL applications, including startup applications and Windows itself or the user will be locked out of unlisted applications. This example lists only Webroot. If it were left at that, the user would only be able to use the antivirus software and no other programs. All of this is detailed in the text of the right portion of the window. Read it carefully.

allow-applications

You may list as many applications as seen fit. The only trick is to get the name of the app or program correct. That’s it. Fill the list up with all applications to be shared and you are ready to go. When you are finished, close out the Local Group Policy Editor and you are done.
Should any user try to use an application that was not listed in the Local Group Policy Editor, an error message will be displayed and access will be denied.

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Comments

  1. bruh said on August 18, 2023 at 1:25 pm
    Reply

    Uhh, this has already been possible – I am not sure how but remember my brother telling me about it. I’m not a whatsapp user so not sure of the specifics, but something about sending the image as a file and somehow bypassing the default compression settings that are applied to inbound photos.

    He has also used this to share movies to whatsapp groups, and files 1Gb+.

    Like I said, I never used whatsapp, but I know 100% this isn’t a “brand new feature”, my brother literally showed me him doing it, like… 5 months ago?

  2. 💥 said on August 18, 2023 at 3:55 pm
    Reply

    Martin, what happened to those: 12 Comments (https://www.ghacks.net/chatgpt-gets-schooled-by-princeton-university/#comments). Is there a specific justifiable reason why they were deleted?

    Hmm, it looks like the gHacks website database is faulty, and not populating threads with their relevant cosponsoring posts.

  3. 45 RPM said on August 19, 2023 at 6:29 pm
    Reply

    The page on ghacks this is on represents the best of why it has become so worthless, fill of click-bait junk that it’s about to be deleted from my ‘daily reads’.

    It’s really like “Press Release as re-written by some d*ck for clicks…poorly.” And the subjects are laughable. Can’t wait for “How to search for files on Windows”.

    1. owl said on August 20, 2023 at 12:51 am
      Reply

      > The page on ghacks this is on represents the best of why it has become so worthless, fill of click-bait junk…

      Sadly, I have to agree.

      Only Martin and Ashwin are worth subscribing to.
      Especially Emre Çitak and Shaun are the worst ones.

      If ghacks.net intended “Clickbait”, it would mark the end of Ghacks Technology News.
      Ghacks doesn’t need crappy clickbaits. Clearly separate articles from newer authors (perhaps AIs and external sales person or external advertising man) as just “Advertisements”!

      We, the subscribers of Ghacks, urge Martin to make a decision.

  4. chessandonions said on August 20, 2023 at 12:40 am
    Reply

    because nevermore wants to “monetize” on every aspect of human life…

  5. Frank Rizzo said on August 20, 2023 at 11:52 pm
    Reply

    “Threads” is like the Walmart of Social Media.

  6. Ashray said on August 21, 2023 at 4:06 pm
    Reply

    How hard can it be to clone a twitter version of that as well? They’re slow.

  7. Paul(us) said on August 21, 2023 at 5:16 pm
    Reply

    Yes, why not mention how large the HD files can be?
    Why, not mention what version of WhatsApp is needed?
    These omissions make the article feel so bare. If not complete.

    1. Paul(us) said on August 21, 2023 at 5:18 pm
      Reply

      Sorry posted on the wrong page.

  8. Marc said on August 21, 2023 at 6:00 pm
    Reply

    such a long article for such a simple matter. Worthless article ! waste of time

  9. plusminus_ said on August 21, 2023 at 7:54 pm
    Reply

    I already do this by attaching them via the ‘Document’ option.

  10. John G. said on August 21, 2023 at 11:43 pm
    Reply

    I don’t know what’s going on here at Ghacks but it’s obvious that something is broken, comments are being mixed whatever the article, I am unable to find some of my later posts neither. :S

  11. Tom Hawack said on August 23, 2023 at 2:28 pm
    Reply

    Quoting the article,
    “As users gain popularity, the value of their tokens may increase, allowing investors to reap rewards.”

    Besides, beyond the thrill and privacy risks or not, the point is to know how you gain popularity, be it on social sites as everywhere in life. Is it by being authentic, by remaining faithful to ourselves or is it to have this particular skill which is to understand what a majority likes, just like politicians, those who’d deny to the maximum extent compatible with their ideological partnership, in order to grab as many of the voters they can?

    I see the very concept of this Friend.tech as unhealthy, propagating what is already an increasing flaw : the quest for fame. I won’t be the only one to count himself out, definitely.

    1. Tom Hawack said on August 23, 2023 at 2:34 pm
      Reply

      @John G. is right : my comment was posted on [https://www.ghacks.net/2023/08/23/what-is-friend-tech/] and it appears there but as well here at [https://www.ghacks.net/2023/07/08/how-to-follow-everyone-on-threads/]

      This has been lasting for several days. Fix it or at least provide some explanations if you don’t mind.

  12. Tom said on August 24, 2023 at 11:53 am
    Reply

    > Google Chrome is following in Safari’s footsteps by introducing a new feature that allows users to move the Chrome address bar to the bottom of the screen, enhancing user accessibility and interaction.

    Firefox did this long before Safari.

  13. Mavoy said on September 16, 2023 at 2:17 pm
    Reply

    Basically they’ll do anything except fair royalties.

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