Here's the situation...setting up a public computer lab w/ 3 computers. I want to lock down the computers so that they can only be used for Microsoft Office, Surfing the web w/ firefox, Burning cds and any other random software that the board of directors wants.

I want to block start button access, settings changes etc. What software should I use? There are hundreds of pieces out there and I don't know where to begin.

 

gpedit.msc FTW!

 

:werd:

every lab on campus here uses that.

 

Lookup info for Windows in KIOSK mode. A lot of things are disabled like that.

Be careful though, limiting it too much and people won't want to use them.

 

I haven't worked w/ group policy in windows. That'll let me disable the ability to click on start and what programs can be accessed?

Basically, I want to lock down the Guest user.

 

ya, pretty much. and if you have to, you can always change some folder security permissions. however, i dont know if you can remove the start button...but you can pretty much remove everything that pops up when you hit the start button

 

Cool. Now that I'm digging through it, this should do the trick.

These changes will affect users and guests, not the administrator, correct?

 

i'm thinking ya...but you probably shoud do a few and then check before getting all crazy. it's been a while since i've actually done all this, heh

 

sounds good. thanks