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Limit User Access to Computer


Question:

I've got to create a splash screen UI for a seat that we don't want the user accessing for anything but two or three functions that we'll provide in the splash screen. Consider it a kiosk computer, I guess.

This will be running on XP Pro. I've got WB 2005C. I'm not sure how to lock out the user from accessing the system while the splash screen is up. I did a search but did not find any examples.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Answer:

I do this to provide a restricted menu for kids. You might want to do one of these:
  1. Change the Windows shell from Explorer.exe to your compiled WinBatch script. For Windows NT/2K/XP:
    RegSetValue(@RegCurrent,"Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon[Shell]","MyWBProgram.exe)
    
  2. Kill Explorer.exe when your script starts. This is easier said than done. I use Process.exe from Beyond Logic:
    RunHide("Process.exe","-k explorer.exe")
     
  3. Hide Explorer when your script starts:
    AddExtender("wwctl44i.dll")
    #DefineFunction ShowDesktop(Show)
    Cmd = "Show"
    If Show=="0" Then Cmd="Hide"
    Win%Cmd%("Program Manager")
    Win%Cmd%(cWinIdConvert(cWndByWndSpec("Shell_TrayWnd","explorer",3,304,303,40965)))
    #EndFunction
    ShowDesktop(@False)
    Message("","Desktop Hidden")
    ShowDesktop(@True)
    
  4. You may also want to block access to Task Manager, to prevent users from using "New Task" to get to Explorer:
    RegSetDWord(@RegCurrent,"Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System[DisableTaskMgr]",1)
    

Article ID:   W17011
File Created: 2007:07:03:14:27:36
Last Updated: 2007:07:03:14:27:36