1001 Secrets for Windows NT Registry
(Publisher: 29th Street Press)
Author(s): Tim Daniels
ISBN: 1882419685
Publication Date: 12/01/97

Previous Table of Contents Next


I-109 Problem: You want to keep users from running programs from the Start menu. This registry entry disables the Run command. Add the following value under the Explorer key:

Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer
Value Name: NoRun
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Restart your machine for these new values to take effect.

I-110 Problem: Users continually clutter their desktops with icons, then they can’t figure out what they’ve done and you have to come fix it. This registry entry lets you hide all icons on the desktop. That way users can run programs only from their respective program groups. Add the following value under the explorer key:

Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer
Value Name: NoDesktop
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Restart your machine for these new values to take effect.

I-111 Problem: You want to keep users from using the Find command in the Start menu. This registry entry lets you disable the Find command. Add the following value under the explorer key:

Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Policies\Explorer
Value Name: NoFind
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Restart your machine for these new values to take effect.

I-112 Problem: Windows NT selects the location of default folders in the following manner. Each user has a default location where Windows NT stores files — for example, the Favorites folder. This folder points to a directory stored in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders key. The default value is %USERPROFILE%\<app type>. For example, Favorites would be stored under %USERPROFILE%\Favorites. You can change the value in any of the thirteen keys to reflect a different directory than the default value.

Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\Shell Folders
Value Name: Favorites
Data Type: REG_SZ
Value: <fully qualified path name> example: c:\winnt\profiles\ timd\Favorites

This value gives the path name to which the Favorites button in Word points. Shortcuts you create in Internet Explorer are also stored here.

I-113 Value Name: Application Data
Data Type: REG__SZ
Value: <fully qualified path name> example: c:\winnt\profiles\ timd\App Data

This value sets where application datafiles reside, on a per-user basis. You could also use this value to point many users to one set of files.

I-114 Value Name: Desktop
Data Type: REG_SZ
Value: <fully qualified path name> example: c:\winnt\profiles\ timd\otherdesktop

This value sets where Windows NT stores the files or shortcuts that appear on your desktop. This information is stored on a per-user basis.

I-115 Value Name: Fonts
Data Type: REG_ SZ
Value: <fully qualified path name> example: c:\winnt\profiles\ timd\AppData

This value sets where Windows NT stores the fonts available on the system. This path generally points to a common directory for all users, but it could be modified for different users.

I-116 Value Name: NetHood
Data Type: REG_SZ
Value: <fully qualified path name> example: c:\winnt\profiles\ timd\newnethood

This value sets where the folders, files, and shortcuts you see when you click on the Network Neighborhood icon are stored. Values are stored on a per-user basis.

I-117 Value Name: Personal
Data Type: REG_ SZ
Value: <fully qualified path name> example: c:\winnt\profiles\ timd\mystuff

This directory is for personal data. When you store files in Word to your personal directory, this value sets the location.

I-118 Value Name: PrintHood
Data Type: REG_SZ
Value: <fully qualified path name> example: c:\winnt\profiles\ timd\myprintstuff

This value sets data storage for the folders, files, and shortcuts you see when you click Printers in the Start Menu. PrintHood values are stored on a per-user basis.

I-119 Value Name: Programs
Data Type: REG_ SZ
Value: <fully qualified path name> example C:\winnt\profiles\ timd\startmenu\junk


Previous Table of Contents Next