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Forums » Up and Running » Security » Security » Automatic Updates as a Limited User
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Opinion Wanted »
« Unofficial third party XP Service Pack  

Cudni
La Merma - Vigilado
Premium,MVM
join:2003-12-20
Someshire

Re: Automatic Updates as a Limited User

So now there are no excuses not to run as limited user , ok there are some but overall.

A great post and a great workaround. Good stuff!

Cudni
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novaflare
The Dragon Was Here
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join:2002-01-24
Barberton, OH

Re: Automatic Updates as a Limited User

still one reason to run as admin. Programs that use program files to store settigns in plane text. But i have a idea for that if some one is willing to test. What you will need is a fat 32 partion or drive put program files on it and change the path to point there. Now if im right just like restore partions on fat 32 there should be able to write to the dir just fine.
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toadlife
Premium
join:2004-05-03
Lemoore, CA

Re: Automatic Updates as a Limited User

Can you not edit file permission in XP Home? Why not just edit the ntfs permissions of the offending program so you can use it as a non-admin?

redxii
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3 edits

Re: Automatic Updates as a Limited User

said by toadlife See Profile:

Can you not edit file permission in XP Home?
Yes, you can. But not with the GUI.

Run command prompt as admin, and use cacls command to change permissions. You need admin for cacls if you are changing permissions on files/folders that you don't have the ability to change ACLs.

Example, I want to giver Users full access to C:\Program Files\mIRC:

cacls "C:\Program Files\mIRC" /e /t /p Users:F

"Users:F" -> <group name or account>:<permission> where permission is (N)one, (R)ead, (W)rite, (C)hange (write), and (F)ull Control

Well, just type cacls in a command prompt and see the syntax for yourself. Definitely not user friendly for Home users (but you get to look l33t using the command line).

Hint: Instead of using Program Files, create a subdirectory in the root of the drive (limited users can do this). Create it as your limited user, and you have full control over that folder and all subfolders and files in that folder. That way, such thing can be avoided unless you really want to use Program Files.

On this subject of FAT32, let's keep it ended here: »Re: for those who say "get a mac if you want secur
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toadlife
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Re: Automatic Updates as a Limited User

said by redxii See Profile:

said by toadlife See Profile:

Can you not edit file permission in XP Home?
Yes, you can. But not with the GUI.
That blows. Microsoft should not have crippled XP home so much.
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Tuulilapsi
Kenosis

join:2002-07-29
Finland

Well, actually, that's not correct. You can edit file permissions in XP Home, with the Explorer GUI, but you can only do so in Safe Mode. Which is, of course, retarded, but better than using the command line tool, in my opinion, since it's notorious for mucking up permissions.
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redxii
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1 edit

Re: Automatic Updates as a Limited User

I forgot about Safe Mode.

That is still horrible, why would anyone reboot into Safe Mode just to click on one checkbox? The command I use hasn't mucked mine up and has always given me desired results. That is what "/e /t /p" is for.

cacls "C:\Program Files\mIRC" /e /t /p Users:F
Tuulilapsi
Kenosis

join:2002-07-29
Finland

Re: Automatic Updates as a Limited User

Indeed, it is horrible, and kind of makes you wonder why MS even bothered to give us limited user accounts in XP Home, when they seem to have made every effort to make them as difficult as possible to operate.
--
And lead me not into temptation - for I can find my way there myself easily enough.

gracie
Geek Goddess
Premium
join:2003-07-15
confusion

Re: Automatic Updates as a Limited User

said by Tuulilapsi See Profile:

kind of makes you wonder why MS even bothered to give us limited user accounts in XP Home, when they seem to have made every effort to make them as difficult as possible to operate.
first off, fabulous article in the original post; thanx.

second, xp home is a blight and a stupid concept, imho. ms should have made all xp's pro and strongly encouraged (and documented the instructions for) running as user for everyday tasks. xp home is NOT easier or more user friendly---users not needing the advanced features of xp pro can just not use them in most cases.

that said, since many of the noobs i support are indeed using xp home, every tip on making it more usable is so welcome! i'll never forget my first "friend's new computer with xp home" setup as i tried desperately to figure out how to get into the built-in admin account to rename and put a password on it (dell ships 'em with a blank password); the old CAD twice definitely doesn't work in xp home.

a quick edit of policies to use the classic login and require CAD to login makes short work of that stupid welcome screen .

i hope longhorn will incorporate the best of xp pro and lose the stupid xp home restrictions, making them optional for those wanted a leaner and less-featured setup.
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Re: Automatic Updates as a Limited User

Actually, what you don't want to do is install XP Pro over XP Home...be prepared for random crap to happen. Things run slower, hardware gets all jacked up, etc.

LookMamaNoHands

@fastxdsl.nl

said by RedXII1234
said by toadlife

Can you not edit file permission in XP Home?
Yes, you can. But not with the GUI.
»www.rt-sw.de/en/freeware/freeware.html
or
»www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_home_sectab.htm

more info:
»www.msfn.org/board/lofiversion/i···800.html
Forums » Up and Running » Security » SecurityOpinion Wanted »
« Unofficial third party XP Service Pack  


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