In our computer lab (four comps running Windows 7 Proffesional), I need to make sure that the children using the computers do not access the programs on the desktop. I ideally do not want the icons to the programs to not appear when the login to the children account (not password protected). I haven't been able to find a way to do this or even know that it can be done. Our local library has been able to do it but it requires me to hunt down the ellusive IT for the city. Any ideas? I'm obviously new to the windows platform... Thanks!

If these computers are on a domain, you can use GPO to remove the desktop icons. If the computers are not on a domain, you can use local security policy (gpedit.msc) to remove the desktop icons. Let us know which you are using and we can further assist you.If you found this post helpful, please "Vote as Helpful". If it answered your question, remember to "Mark as Answer". Rich Prescott | MCITP, MCTS, MCP [Blog] Engineering Efficiency | [Twitter] @Rich_Prescott | [Powershell GUI] Client System Administration toolkit

Hi, Windows 7 Professional does not have Local Group Policy Editor, but you can hide all your desktop icons and also you can disable them by using a registry key. If it's only for one user, open notepad and type this: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] "NoDesktop"=dword:00000001 Clic File, Save as, and call it "desktop.reg". Double click, import it and restart your system. It's oly by user so you have to import the registry key into the user account you dont want to see and run desktop items. Regards,

You may be better suited if you create a separate childrens account that is a standard user with no password and put a password on the accounts you dont went them on where they can potentially mess things up. Desktop icons are specific to each user. Since its a separate account the desktop icons and settings only apply to it. If you want, once you have a separate children's account just right click on the desktop and choose view > show desktop icons and uncheck it http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3659-desktop-items-hide-show.html If you want to lock the childrens account even more you can also setup parental controls on that account and restrict what applications or games they can run or even what time of day that account can access the computer. See here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Set-up-Parental-ControlsRegards, ~P MCSE, MCITP, MCTS, MCP, CCNA

Hi, I suggest trying Windows 7 parental control. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Prevent-children-from-using-specific-programs Best Regards, Niki Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" on the post that helps you, and to click "Unmark as Answer" if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.