Wanting to install program on server 2003 but dont want all user to see or use it
I am wanting to install a program on a win 2003 server and we have 150 users that log into this server and when I installed the program it put an icon on everyones desktop and thats not what I want, so I uninstalled it and now I want to reinstall it and only have me and one other user to have access to it.
Im sure this is an easy one but im pressed for time any ideas?
Thanks
Im sure this is an easy one but im pressed for time any ideas?
Thanks
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McKnife
First, remove the icon, then alter ntfs permissions on the executable.
You may want to try the Software Restriction policies.
For example:
Create a Software Restriction GPO and apply to the Active Directory OU where this server object is in.
Create a group in AD and add the users you want to allow to run the program by deny the above GPO
Disallowed all users logon to the server by using additiona rule like the path where the software is installed
This way you don't have to worry about whether you have an icon or not as the user will not be able to run the program, regardless their permission on the executable. Obviously, the icon in the "all users" desktop should be deleted.
For example:
Create a Software Restriction GPO and apply to the Active Directory OU where this server object is in.
Create a group in AD and add the users you want to allow to run the program by deny the above GPO
Disallowed all users logon to the server by using additiona rule like the path where the software is installed
This way you don't have to worry about whether you have an icon or not as the user will not be able to run the program, regardless their permission on the executable. Obviously, the icon in the "all users" desktop should be deleted.
...then comes a second software and you cannot use that policy anymore because security filtering is not suitable for the second one and you have to create another policy. Hmmm, Americom, this is an argument for ntfs, isn't it?
There is no argument here, it just a matter of suggestion and preference. The same policy still can be use if there are more than one software that needs to be restricted. All you need to do is specify additional path. Of course if a different software needs to be restricted to a different group of users, then yes, a similar GPO needs to be created. Or just copy the existing GPO and make small adjustment. Afterall, this is what Software Restriction Policies are created for.
Just some comment on NTFS permission, it's a quick simple way of allow and deny users to execute, no doubt. However, depending on how friendly the programmer writes the program and also depending how familiar the programmer knows about NTFS, changing permission is not always the best solution. The permission you changed, could be reset during program update or upgrades, it could even prevent installer from doing the upgrade successfully. Often program upgrade replaces the exectution file but not changing the file path(althought some does by rarely...). Again, I'm not againt use NTFS permission to restrict software access if that person love NTFS adjustment and willing to maintain the changes during and after upgrades.
Just some comment on NTFS permission, it's a quick simple way of allow and deny users to execute, no doubt. However, depending on how friendly the programmer writes the program and also depending how familiar the programmer knows about NTFS, changing permission is not always the best solution. The permission you changed, could be reset during program update or upgrades, it could even prevent installer from doing the upgrade successfully. Often program upgrade replaces the exectution file but not changing the file path(althought some does by rarely...). Again, I'm not againt use NTFS permission to restrict software access if that person love NTFS adjustment and willing to maintain the changes during and after upgrades.
ASKER
Thanks guys got it