best way to stop user from installing

You can install a program called Fortres on the clients. This can be used to block pretty much whatever you like.

You can go to www.fortres.com for more info on this product.

I can't think of any other way unless you edit the registry and you may not even be able to stop it there.

Good luck!!

The quickest way to do this is to setup a System policy. If you haven't used this utility before it is located on any NT server under Start->Programs->Administrative Tools->System Policy Editor. This program will ais you in creating a "profile" for the user(s) remotely. Be careful on the use of this program. It can severely disable a user from using their needed programs. I strongly resommend working out your required settings on a test account.

Ferris has answered the question on what to do, but for you setup (win9x) he did not mention on how to do it. Since winnt policy editor will not work for win9x clients.
To create a policy for win9x users you have to edit/save/create the policy fileon a win9x machine and then save it to the logon share of the Domain Controllers (DC).
To install policy editor on a win9x machine install the win98 resource kit on a win9x machine (its located in the win98 CD-ROM) and look up policy editor and follow instructions.
After you install policy editor on a win9x mahcine save it to the logon share (for some reason it will not let you all the time save it directly to the logon share, I think it has to do with the permissions on the share, never really cared why. If so save it localy then copy it to the logon share.). For a policy to work on a win9x mahcine you have to make sure that all the clients logon to the domain for password validation (you do that by checking the box 'logon to windwos ntdomain' under client for microsoft netwroks properties in the netwrok control panel).
If you also plan on using group policy for win9x then you also have to install on each win9x machine group policy, (on how to install it look it up in win9x resource kit).
Once you have a policy in place you can restrict which programs users can run on their machine.

There is a product called disknet from Reflex Magnetic that will allow you to stop users intalling software it will all so allow you to turn it off centrally in case you need the user to install some software
makers are:
Reflex Magnetics Ltd
www.reflex-magnetics.co.uk

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