Local Users and Groups in Windows 7 Home Premium
Can anyone give me a good answer for why this is not included yet the option is listed in the Add Snap-on menu of MMC? Even Group Policy would be nice as I have a child that likes to play on the computer, between the tools that I have on this computer I would like to be able to limit what he is able to access through that policy. Still my question sits, and I would like a good answer not something like "It doesn't connect to a domain," or "your average user will never use that."
May 28th, 2010 4:21am

Yeah it's weird that they don't include Local Users and Groups, or the Local Security Policy. But with Home Premium, if you want complete control, and monitoring, of what your child is doing. Just create a user account specifically for them. It doesn't need to have a password or anything. Then you set up all your policies through Parental Controls, via Control Panel -> Parental Controls. From there, set up your child's account with "Windows Live Family Safety". You must have, or create, a Windows Live ID. To install it on the PC, just run the command "live essentials" in the Start Menu search box. Select "Go online to get Windows Live Essentials". Download the Live app, and select what you need from the installer. When it's set up you can monitor your child's web history. You can block any kind of web content. It's a real nice program. I use it actually. When the User account is created, you can take advantage of the built-in features of Parental Controls. You can set time limits, (when your child can, or cannot, use the computer), allow/block certain games, allow/block specific programs for them, etc... So, that's pretty much it for Premium. If you want total control you must upgrade to Pro, or above. I'm almost 100% sure the Local Users and Groups & Local Security Policy snap-ins aren't usable at all in Premium. Which sucks. Please respond if there's anything else you need help with.
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May 30th, 2010 12:48am

What I'm really looking for is the ability to clean up his start menu through my account so he doesn't have to look at control panel, run, all my developer programs and so on in one console instead of through about 5 different views.
May 30th, 2010 7:36pm

Yeah, well you don't have those options for Home Premium. Sorry? This version does not come with admin like features. Only Pro, Enterprise, or Ultimate. Also, the Local Users and Groups snap-in doesn't let you change the Start Menu and put restrictions like that. Those settings are managed through the Local Computer Policy snap-in. It lets you change almost anything for the computer. For example, you could have items 'grayed' out for certain users you don't want access to. But this feature is also NOT an option with Home Premium. Here take a look at the detailed features comparison list from the Microsoft web site: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b3c68ec2-e726-4830-ac89-31c71d6be5f3&displaylang=en Also, you check out this detailed chart at Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions So, unless you upgrade you'll have to manage with what you got... But when you create new standard user, they are very limited to what they can access. Like, you wanted to prevent your son from opening up special programs, and remove those items so he can't see it in the Start Menu. Well, you block the apps from Parental Controls, or just set NTFS permissions on each program, by right-clicking the .exe, (program), file and then selecting the Security tab, click Edit, then click Add, now type in the user's name, and click the Check Names... button, once he's added you can deny/allow the permissions that you want! And just a tip, whenever you install an application from your account, you are usually asked if this program will be just for you, or all users. From there, you can select just yourself, and this app won't be in your son's start menu or program files folder. Now, if you want to remove items from his start menu. Take the Control Panel for example. Just right-click the start menu button, and select "customize" under the "Start Menu" tab, now you'll various options like removing the Control Panel completely out of the start menu! You do this when you're logged in his account though. If you want to remove certain shortcuts from his Start Menu, that's very simple as well. To do this, open up the Start Menu and right-click the "All Programs" link. Select, "Open". *Note, this is all done while logged in his account.* This folder location should look like this, C:\Users\(user name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs Now you can move/copy/delete anything from his All Programs link! So, now if you still menu items you don't want in his Start Menu... Just do the same thing above, but when you right-click on the "All Programs" link, select "Open All Users" instead of just "Open". This folder location should look like this, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs From here you move the programs to your Start Menu folder, so they be only available on your desktop! Wow! This is a pretty long reply. I think I'm sick of typing now. LOL! If you need anything else please feel free to ask.
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May 30th, 2010 9:28pm

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