My grandson and I share a pc, everytime he add a program I receive the same icon and the programs pop up on my desktop. how can I seperate his from mine?
How-To Geek Forums » Windows Vista
desktop icons
(21 posts)
actually you can do this with out installing. you just have to move the shortcuts.
this is how you can do it:
first navigate to this folder: C:\Documents and Settings
then there should be other folders in there that have the users on the computer.
then you will need to go here: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs
from here you can cut or copy the icons into the other users start menu folder.
when i do this i like to have to windows open so i don't have to go back and forth so much.
and to get to the users folder just go back here: C:\Documents and Settings
then select the user>start menu>programs and paste them where you want them to show up. and once you put them in the folder you can move them around by dragging them when you have the start menu open.
p.s. if you have any questions on how to do this just ask and i will be glad to help out. :)
Actually jack, I think he's on a Vista box..and of course I'm on XP right now and not Vista...and I don't recall the Vista folder structure right now.
@Backer, most programs give you the option to install only for the current user, but you typically have to do and Advanced or Custom Install when you install the programs, and sadly most install programs are all a bit different, so each time how and when you make the selection will be slightly different. If you want more control over what gets installed on your computer (and by default what you see on 'your side' of the pc) you would need to lower your grandson's level to User rather than Administrator. That also means that you would have to do all of the program installations (or he would have to long on as you) as the standard user would not have the rights to install any software on the pc.
On Vista, each user has a "Desktop" folder and there is a "Public Desktop" under the Public user folder. Icons in the Public Desktop folder will show on all user desktops. Icons in a specific user's "Desktop" folder are specific to that account and will only show on that user's desktop.
So, to do what Jack is suggesting in Vista, move icons that you don't want on your desktop from the Public Desktop folder into your grandson's account Desktop folder. Typically, all these icons should be shortcuts indicated by a little arrow in the lower left corner. If the system was setup with default settings, the folders will be located at:
C:\Users\Public\Desktop
C:\Users\(GrandDad)\Desktop
C:\Users\(GrandSon)\Desktop
I think (if you are willing to try) this would be easier to do with a program called FreeCommander.
http://www.freecommander.com/
I await your response
I"M sorry guys but I'm still feel very very lost. I'm not sur about adding Freecommander is it compatable with Vista Home premium? would it be easier to have my grandson delete everything them start over as a standard user? why can't we both have administrative right and still have thing in separate folders?
Backer, here is my attempt at step-by-step instructions.
1. Open a File Explorer window (there are several ways, I like Win+E)
2. Navigate to C:\Users\Public\Public Desktop. Click on each folder in the path, C: drive, Users folder, and so on.
3. You may find the "Public Desktop" folder doesn't show up -- that's because it's a hidden folder. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> (Appearance an Personalization) -> Folder Options -> View tab. Select the setting "Show hidden files and folders", click OK. You should now see the Public Desktop folder.
4. You should see some of the icons from your desktop. To change the view, right-click in the right hand pane and select View -> Medium Icons (or large icons).
5. Open a second File Explorer window, for example, by pressing Win+E again.
6. Navigate to your grandson's desktop folder. It should be C:\Users\(account name)\Desktop. Adjust the view as before.
7. Arrange the windows so that you can see both Desktop folders.
8. Pick an icon you want off of your desktop, and drag-and-drop it from the Public Desktop folder to your grandson's Desktop folder.
9. This should be a "move" operation that erases the version in Public Desktop. If, instead, it makes a copy, manually delete the duplicate icon in Public Desktop.
10. When you are all done, close the two windows. Go back to step 3 and select "Don't show hidden files and folders".
11. Log out and back in, or restart.
Tada! If this works as planned, you should have only the icons you want and grandson should have everything he wants. Looking back over my instructions, I see one potential problem. You may not be able to access grandson's Desktop from your account. If so, do this operation from his account. Report back when you're done.
What my space is on your account -- a desktop icon? Are we talking about MySpace, the website? Then there should only be a URL unless there is some MySpace application that I'm not aware of.
Anyway, right-click on the icon and select "Properties". Select the "General" tab and find the field called Location. This will tell you where the icon lives. It will take the form C:\Users\(account name)\Desktop. The account name will be yours, grandson's, or Public. Depending on that:
* If it's in Public\Desktop, move it to your grandson's desktop as described above.
* If it's in your Desktop, delete it.
* If it's in his Desktop, let me know because it should NOT show up under your account.
If the icon keeps coming back after being moved or deleted, let me know. That would suggest that something (or someone) is re-creating it.
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