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prevent downloding in safe mode

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by ew_todd

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I set up Windows with separate logins for my children and with my login as administrator. I did this because I don't want them to download software without asking me. I just found out that they have been logging into Windows in safe mode and then downloading what they want - it must bypass the Windows security. Is there any way to prevent them from doing this by forcing the safe mode to recognize that those logins don't have administrative rights?

4 replies

by rob miners

see if this will slow them down. With this Registry modification you can disable the Network and still have access to Safe Mode for troubleshooting.

Click Start, Run and type regedt32 and press Enter.
Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot
Expand SafeBoot by clicking the + sign and you should see 2 keys with the name Minimal and Network.
Rename Network to NetworkOff by right clicking on it and selecting Rename.

Now if you try to boot in to Safe Mode with Networking, the computer will auto reboot or get a blue screen of death (BSOD).

To re-enable Safe Mode with Networking, just rename NetworkOff back to Network.

WARNING editing the Registry is risky. Right click on the Key and choose Export to create a Backup before modifying.

Keep us informed as to your progress if you require further assistance.

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by ew_todd

Thanks for the tip. Seems like this should work. I implemented it and got the BSOD - :)

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