System Policies is an optional component of Windows which you can use to enforce some Windows settings on the per-user basis. For complete information on installing and using System Policies, consult the Windows Resource Kit.

To make System Policies work on your computer, you must first install the System Policy Editor:

• Insert your Windows CD into the CD-ROM drive.

• Open Control Panel, double click on Add/Remove Programs, select the Windows Setup page, and click on Have disk button.

• Enter the following path into the dialog box:

  If you use Windows 98:

  D:\TOOLS\RESKIT\NETADMIN\POLEDIT\POLEDIT.TXT

  If you use Windows 95:

  D:\ADMIN\APPTOOLS\POLEDIT\POLEDIT.INF

  (replace D: with the drive letter that designates your CD-ROM) and click on OK.

The System Policy Editor uses files of two kinds: template files (extension ADM) and policy files (extension POL). Template files contain information that guides the System Policy Editor in modifying the Registry in response to your commands. Policy files contain the restrictions you are setting up for each user.

After you have installed System Policy Editor, run it (using Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - System Policy Editor), choose the Options - Template command in its menu, and select the template file(s) you want to be active (such as ADMIN.ADM; these files are installed in the C:\Windows\INF folder).

Now create a policy file:

• Run the System Policy Editor and choose File - New in its menu.

• Use commands of the System Policy Editor to create entries for users of your computer and set up their policies.

• Choose File - Save and save the file. You may wish to name the file CONFIG.POL and save it in the Windows folder (usually, C:\Windows), although you are free to select other name and location for this file.

Finally, you must activate the policy file you have just created. On a stand-alone computer, do the following:

• Run the System Policy Editor and choose File - Open Registry in its menu.

• Open the Local Computer item and find the following entry: Network - Update - Remote Update. Check this checkbox.

• In the Settings for Remote Update area (at the bottom of the same dialog box), specify the following information:

  Update Mode: Manual

  Path for manual update: C:\WINDOWS\CONFIG.POL
  (enter here the path to the Policy file you have created).

From now on, whenever a user logs on to Windows, the restrictions you have specified in the policy file will be applied to the user’s settings.

Note: The path to the active policy file is stored in the Registry in the variable NetworkPath, under the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ System \ CurrentControlSet \ Control \ Update

Folder Guard offers user permissions that provide approximately the same functionality as System Policies. You may find user interface provided by Folder Guard more convenient than that of the System Policy Editor.