You can create shared user accounts and apply different system and program restrictions to each shared user account on the computer so that users have specified access to Windows system tools, as well as other services, applications, files, and data.
Typically, names for user accounts are chosen to describe the individual or group of individuals who will have access to the shared computer. The user account name should reflect the group or category of user for which the account is intended. Before naming a user account, determine who your users are and what levels of restrictions that must be applied to the user account. For example, consider whether your users are:
- Staff members who can access most of the applications on the
computer and can use many computer configuration applications, such
as Control Panel settings, but should be
restricted from most advanced administrative tools and
applications.
- Adults who can access most of the applications on the computer
but should not alter computer configuration settings.
- Children who should have restricted Internet access.
To create a shared user account
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In the Windows SteadyState main dialog box, under User Settings, click Add a New User.
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In the Add a New User dialog box, in the User Name box, type a user name.
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Type a password in the Password and Confirm Password boxes.
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In the User Location drop-down list, select the drive on which you want to save the shared user profile associated with this shared user account. Normally, the files and directories associated with user profiles are stored on the system drive where Windows XP or Windows Vista is installed.
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Select a picture from the Picture box to associate with the shared user profile, and then click OK.
In most cases, you will want to save the shared user profile on the same drive on which Windows XP or Windows Vista is installed. However, if you have turned on Windows Disk Protection and want a user to be able to save information to the computer for later access, you can save the user profile as an unlocked profile on a different drive. Windows Disk Protection only protects the partition containing the operating system files. Saving an unlocked user profile on a different drive will prevent removal of the user’s data by Windows Disk Protection.
 Note: |
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| Password policy requirements that apply for Windows XP and Windows Vista also apply for Windows SteadyState, including well-formed password requirements. For more information on creating passwords, see Strong passwords: How to create and use them. |