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How to create a new user without access to already installed software?

Anonymous
2023-02-02T22:07:08+00:00

I feel like this should be a simple thing to do, but I'm having absolutely no luck with it.

I am running Windows 11 and currently have one user account set up as an administrator.

I am trying to create a second account that does not have any access to software installed on my primary account, essentially one that can be set up from a blank slate.

The reason for this is because I want to set up one "work" account and one "study" account. The personal account to have access to all of my games and media, and the study account to have access to the small list of software I need to do my studies.

Is there any way to achieve this?

I thought that creating a new Standard account rather than an Admin account would do it but that new account still has full access to every piece of software installed on my existing account.

Help!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login

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  1. DaveM121 871K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-02-03T10:09:49+00:00

    Hi Alex,

    Basically this cannot be done normally in Windows.

    When you install software, it is the install software is programmed by the software developer, and on some installers, you would be given the opportunity to 'Install Just For Me', and that would install the software so it is only available on your account.

    if the software developer does not provide that option in the installer, then all user accounts on the PC will have access to the software.

    This is not caused by a Windows setting and so it cannot be changed because that is the way the software developer has set their software up.

    What edition (Home, Pro...etc) of Windows is installed on your PC?

    If you do not have the home edition, then you may be able to clock the other user from accessing apps using Group Policy.

    There isa tutorial on this link, if you have the Group Policy Editor:

    https://www.technipages.com/prevent-users-from-...

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    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2023-02-02T22:48:00+00:00

    Thanks for reaching out. My name is, Zadee. I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you. I'll be glad to help you today.

    Not sure if you were using another MS account or if it was a local account you created. If you have not tried creating a local account, try it. A totally new user should be in a clean slate with no apps at all, perhaps you have your Onedrive synced? Make sure that's disconnected in your 2nd account as well.

    You should be able to create the profile under,

    > Settings

    > Account

    > Other users

    > under Other users click Add account

    > I don't have this person sign in info

    > Add user without a MS account.

    Then just fill up the fields to name the test account, and follow the process to finish creating the account.

    Let me know how it goes.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2023-02-03T09:53:13+00:00

    Both ran without any errors. Restarted and created another Standard account and still no joy.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2023-02-03T07:30:08+00:00

    It's not just desktop shortcuts.

    All installed programs are also shown on the start menu and work exactly as on my primary account. For example if I open steam on the new account it opens and logs in to my profile exactly as it would on my main account.

    The standard account that I made has full access to every single piece of software installed on my primary account.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2023-02-02T23:30:58+00:00

    The apps from your 1st profile may have been creating shortcuts to your Public Desktop folder thus creating these icons automatically for the newly created profile.

    Can you check from your 1st profile, go to C:\Users\Public\Public Desktop

    Note that the folder may be hidden, you need to go to View > Show > Hidden items

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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