XP USER Account Restrictions

Here is my suggestion: Mandatory Profiles

I'm currently experimenting with these atm at work and so far the results have been good.

In a windows environment, you have 3 types of profiles; Local, Roaming and Mandatory.

Each one has its own merits, but for your situation, you could try going with the mandatory approach which means the profile is read-only and any changes they make would not be saved when loggin off.

Altering a profile to become a mandatory profile is a little bit tricky though.

First, create the profile (make it a guest account, this way some of the restrictions are still in place) and log into that profile and configure it until your happy with the settings.

Next, log out of the profile you just configured and log back into your admin account. You need to make both file extensions and hidden files and folders visable to allow them to be edited. Visit the following directory path: " C:\Documents and Settings " and enter the folder (which is the profile) that you made, e.g. Tim.

Lastly, if you have set the settings right, you will be able to see the hidden folders and the following file with the file extension: "NTUSER.DAT " and all you have to do is alter that file to this: " NTUSER.MAN " (it will say you do you really want to alter the extension on this file and yes you do).

Just make sure you DO NOT alter the admin account otherwise all hell will break loose. Log into the account you just changed and see if it works e.g alter the wallpaper, log out, log in and see if it saved it.

Good luck.

Jam it back in, in the dark.