How To Allow/Disallow Specific Programs For An User Account In Windows 7
In Windows 7, you can configure it to run only specific programs that you allow for an User Account. This will be especially useful when you want to prevent unusual changes done to Windows settings by running a program. For example you can block System maintenance programs such as Registry Cleaners, System Mechanic, Ccleaner etc. These programs must not be used without proper knowledge, else it may damage Windows system files and make it unstable. Hence you can disable such program access to other users of your PC such as your Kids and friends.
Other uses would be like blocking CD/DVD burning program like Nero, Sonic etc for an account user to prevent CD/DVD burning.
Here are steps to block programs for an Account User. In our example we will block programs for “Guest User”.
1. Log-in as administrator of your PC.
2. Click Start –> Control Panel–> Category view
3. Under “User Accounts and Family Safety” section, click on “Set up parental controls for any user”.
4. Click on the user account for which you want to block programs. In our scenario its “Guest User”.
5. Select radio button “On, enforce current settings”.
6. In the Windows Settings section, click on link “Allow and Block Specific Programs”.
7. In the Application Restrictions settings window, choose option “Guest User can only use the programs I allow”.
Then scroll down the list and check the boxes associated with the program that you want to allow. Programs left unchecked will not run in the account. After you are done, click OK.
8. Finally you can check the status under the account. “Program Limits” will be turned “ON”. Click “OK” to save changes.
You are done. When the user clicks on the programs that you have blocked, Windows 7 will not run the program. It will show a message as “Parental Controls has blocked this program. A administrator can allow this program by opening Parental Controls and changing the permissions”.
Enjoy!