Local User Privileges (WXP)

[Firstone]

I'm having a real headache trying to upgrade users from Windows NT and 98 to Windows 2000/XP PRO. The computers are installed as administrator and then sent to the users but when they log in with their username, they are extremely limited, can't install new programs, can't install fonts, printers and so forth. I can't add these users to the Administrators group. I have played with the Group Policies but it did not help a bit.
Does anybody suggest a way in which I can install these computers and have the local user CONTROL their computer as if they were on the old Windows 98/NT computers!??!!?? I need no limitations for the local users, that's it.
Thanks.

[kastetx]

Well, the thing is, 98 has no groups or anything of that sort. Depending on what you want your users to do, you may have no choice but to add them to the admins group- which is not good. let me know what youre looking to do, and maybe ill help you out.

[POBrien]

Add all the users to the Power Users group.

POBrien

[Firstone]

Thank you for the reply. My problem right now consists of several users on a Printshop that require FULL access to add/remove printers, full access to the programs installed on their hard drives as well as installing and removing fonts. So far, I have had no sucess in trying to allow them to have this flexibility. I will appreciate any ideas. I have disabled GPO all over the registry, but it is not enough yet.....
Regards.
Jose Oliveira.

[Firstone]

Thanks for the reply. I tried to do so, but man, this network is ALL MESSED UP. The PDC is still an NT4.0 server and it does not support many features. I added the users locally using the GPEDIT.MSC to the Power Users group, but I still have severe problems, unfortunately..... I'll welcome any good ideas.
Regards.
Jose Oliveira.

[kastetx]

all right. add them to print operators. when you say full access to programs, if you mean adding & removing software, in many cases they HAVE to be admin. If you just mean they should be able to run them, then just give them proper NTFS rights. To install fonts, let them goto control panel, or put a shortcut on their desktop, and give access to the system folders that are needed by font installs.

[Firstone]

I'll try that, thank you so much for your help.
I'll try to give them total control over their disk.
Regards.
Jose Oliveira.

[iTwins]

In the long run, it's better to limit a user's accessibility. Imagine giving a nuclear weapon to cavemen...:)

We learnt that by limiting users system capabilities, there will be less technical support required in a daily basis...