Win2K File Sharing - Help !!

[daisiee69]

Hi all,

I have multiple users (4) on a Win2K HP Pavilion. I would like to set permissions to a specific folder within the My Music under My Documents folder of one of the users. Would someone tell me how to do it, cause its confusing. I only want Read access so that the others are able to play the MP3 files within that folder. I've tried several ways but with no success.

Thanks
Daisie

[K A Hall]

Are you trying to limit access to folders for a user who has Administrative privileges? If so the fact that they have admin privileges will “over ride” any limits you try to set for that user.

[daisiee69]

No, the other users are Restricted Users. Can a Power User limit access to his/her files without being an Administrator ?

Thanks

[Hpro]

Right click on the folders or files you like to give permit to - and select Security and then ADD select the username and there you go . or you just drag and drop the complete folder to a FREE LOCATION and make it accessible for everyone -.
Hpro

[JustinLerner]

Don't move My Music to an unprotected directory. But create a shortcut to the Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Music directory, so that everyone can easily find the music you will share.

When you right click on YOUR My Music directory, you have some tabs available. First, you need to understand what two of the tabs mean.

The SECURITY tab affects those users who directly log onto the PC (at the keyboard).
The SHARING tab affects those users who connect to the PC via the network.

You can add any names you want, but to change the level of security for each different user, you must UNCHECK the box which reads something like "Allow inheritable permissions from parent to propogate to this object". When you uncheck this option, a box will pop up asking you to COPY, REMOVE or CANCEL the permission changes. Select COPY.

Add usernames for access to your directory and check or uncheck particular boxes depending upon how much access you want others to have.

Since you want them to have read access, only check the List Folder Contents and the Read box on each user you select and uncheck any other permission for each user, but retain full permissions for yourself. If you don't allow them the ability to List Folder Contents, they can't browse (view all the files) in the directory.

[daisiee69]

Thanks for the great tip. I never thought of creating shortcuts.
Also, thanks for explaining the difference between the Security tab and the Sharing tab. I'll will give it a try and let you know.

Thanks again.
Daisie

[daisiee69]

Ok, I have tried what JustinLerner suggested for the Music file folder and it worked great. Thanks again.

I have 2 more questions:

I have installed a game that I want everyone to have access only to the executable so that everyone can play. I've tried what JustinLerner suggested but it doesn't work. I have installed the game in only one of the users folder. Should it be installed in the All Users group ?

Also, I would like to get rid of some of the programs under the Start Programs list for some of the users. For example, I don't want the kid to have access to the Microsoft Office programs, like Outlook 2000, PowerPoint, etc. How do I do this, cause I tried to delete the programs in the kid's Start Up folder but it also took it off for the other users. Do I also have to set permissions for those ?

Thanks

[JustinLerner]

For Everyone to access the programs through the Start Menu\Programs, the shortcut to the program should be created in the All Users\Start Menu\Programs AND Everyone should have access permissions to the Programs Files\programdirectory that you want Everyone to be able to use (use Everyone instead of individual usernames). The Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu directory (folder) is used only for shortcuts and should not have the actual programs installed there, just shortcuts for the users to the programs. The programs are normally installed under C:\Program Files or whatever other directory you specify.

--

Normally, for users to be able to access programs the users need READ and EXECUTE authority on the full folder and subdirectories where the programs exists, but I would give them all capabilities to save text files, documents etc because the Restriced User is not able to install or remove programs anyhow.

For MS Office you would change these rights normally in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office. You would right click on this directory and then once again select the Security tab and remove users you don't want to access these particular programs.

In Windows there are a couple of other programs that can open and read Word documents. WRITE.EXE is one, found in the C:\winnt\system32 directory that can open and read Word .DOC files. Do NOT remove any rights to the directory, just right click on write.exe and set the security.

There is also an optional, older viewer for DOC files that may be installed on Windows. You need to check whether this is installed or not on your system. Sorry, I don't remember the program name.

--

The next issue, making any program available to only specific individuals.

The programs you want restricted must not have any rights assigned to usernames in the directories (folders) and subdirectory where the programs exist if you don't want them to have access or they must not have the right to READ and EXECUTE the specific programs. Security permissions can be set on individual files. If you set the permissions on the Startup Menu, these don't apply to the actual programs. The Startup menu is just a shortcut, not the actual program.

Second, when you logon to the kids user profiles and delete the Shortcut in the Startup Folder, this will often effect all users because the shortcut exists in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs depending upon how the program is setup and installed. Many programs don't give you the ability to choose whether or not a programs installs in the All Users Programs because it is assumed. Other programs may allow the program to be installed only for the currect Admin/Power User installing the program.

You will need to put the shortcuts for the programs in individual users Start Menus\Programs folder and not the All Users\Start Menu\Programs folder.

--

Remember, never remove SYSTEM or restrict SYSTEM from any folder or program.