Configuring Software for Windows Vista

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In this second part to a four-part series on Windows Vista, you will learn how to configure software for the operating system. This article is excerpted from chapter four of the book Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide, written by William R. Stanek (O'Reilly, 2007; ISBN: 0596528000). Copyright © 2007 O'Reilly Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission from the publisher. Available from booksellers or direct from O'Reilly Media.

Configuring Software Availability

Most software programs written for Windows 2000 or later are made available automatically to all users on a computer. This occurs because the software writes to areas of the registry and filesystem available to all users, and because the software makes its program shortcuts available to all users. During installation, some software programs prompt you to choose whether you want to install the software for all users or only for the currently logged-on user. Other programs—typically older programs written for Windows 98 or earlier—install themselves only for the current user.

For software that requires per-user configurations, you can make the software available to multiple users by completing the following steps:

1. Log on to the computer using an account that should have access to the program.
   
2. Install the software using its Setup program.
   

3. Repeat this process for each user.

For software that doesn’t require per-user configuration, you can make the software available to all users on your computer by completing the following steps:

1. Log on as the user who installed the program.
   
2. Right-click the Start button and select Explore. This starts Windows Explorer with the currently logged-on user’s Start Menu folder selected.
   
3. Under Programs, right-click the folder for the program group or the shortcut you want to work with and then select Copy.
   
4. Right-click the Start button and select Explore All Users. This starts Windows Explorer with the Start Menu folder for all users selected.
   
5. Right-click Programs and then select Paste. The program group or shortcut should now be available to all users of the computer.
   
6. Repeat steps 2–5 as necessary to copy all the related program groups and shortcuts for the software application.

You can make a program available only to you rather than to all users by completing these steps:

1. Log on using your account.
   
2. Right-click the Start button and select Explore All Users. This starts Windows Explorer with the Start Menu folder for all users selected.
   
3. Select Programs, right-click the folder for the program group or shortcut that you want to work with, and select Cut.
   
4. Right-click the Start button and select Explore. This starts Windows Explorer with your Start Menu folder selected.
   
5. Right-click Programs and then select Paste. The program group or shortcut should now be available only to you.
   
6. Repeat steps 2–5 as necessary to copy all the related program groups and shortcuts for the software application.

Moving the software’s program group or shortcuts doesn’t prevent other users from running the program; it simply hides the program from other users. They may still be able to start the software from Windows Explorer.

Next: Configuring Compatibility for MS-DOS or 16-Bit Software >>
 

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This article is excerpted from chapter four of the book Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide, written by William R. Stanek (O'Reilly, 2007; ISBN: 0596528000). Check it out today at your favorite bookstore. Buy this book now.