how to restrict users from playing video games

[BioHazard]

is it possible to restrict users from playing video games through windows registry (win xp professional)? can someone help me about it?

I know the way to restrict specific applications through registry(using DisallowRun key), but for it I have to give the application's exe file name. But how can I restrict a user from playing all video games?, of course I cannot give exe file names of all video games?

[bijuabrahamp]

It is impossible to restrict users from playing video games because they are just software like all other programs. But most of the games (modern ones) use DirectX or OpenGL for rendering. You can damage some registry entries of DirectX or OpenGL.. but even if u get rid off directx and openGL.. it may affect certian softwares such as 3ds max and some programs like PowerDVD may use DirectX for playing movies (its optional)
So if you want to sacrifice that, you may try damaging some DirectX stuff.. but be careful, all this is a part of Windows
And also.. old games don't use DirectX or OpenGL, and there is no getting around them.

[kulas]

using DisallowRun key

hi u have mentioned "using DisallowRun key", i hope ull have some spare time to share this .. :)

[BioHazard]

kulas ya sure, you can see the DisallowRun trick here:

http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/969/

(it is not necessary to do it from registry, it can be done from windows too, from software restrictions policies)

[PeejAvery]

You can use security and deny access to the folders where the games are written.

[valentino]

but as user have the rights to install software, they can install more games anytime.

[PeejAvery]

is it possible to restrict users from playing video games through windows registry (win xp professional)? can someone help me about it?

I know the way to restrict specific applications through registry(using DisallowRun key), but for it I have to give the application's exe file name. But how can I restrict a user from playing all video games?, of course I cannot give exe file names of all video games?

Cannot be done without you typing a list of applications that can't be run. Every game is an executable application. You cannot disable those. Either disable each one through the registry or disable the folder with security.

[NatThoelecke]

but as user have the rights to install software, they can install more games anytime.Only Power Users and Administrators have install rights on 2000/XP systems. If you set their access rights to User they will only be able to run programs already installed on the computer. If they need something installed, they will need to ask someone with Power User or Administrator rights to do it for them and sometimes even Power Users won't have sufficient access rights to install the software. Users will still be able to run some older games that are simply run from an executable or games that do not get installed to the Program Files directory. However, if you monitor the system and have Administrator rights you can easily catch these exceptions and use the DisallowRun trick to prevent those programs from being run.

[Skoons]

You need to set all users rights to minimum then delete all existing games. And disconnect all CD-ROM on phisical level

[PeejAvery]

And disconnect all CD-ROM on phisical level
A computer without a CD-ROM is like a unicycle without a wheel. Why not just not give them a login?

[Skoons]

A computer without a CD-ROM is like a unicycle without a wheel. Why not just not give them a login?
Well, I can tell it by my own expirience, In our college most of all computers where used to play games, then our admins give users logins, So they where hacked :D (Who can do it I Wonder :rolleyes: ) . So he disconnect all CD-ROMs, and what do you think the problem was solved by half. Our students are coming with their own HDD with games :D

[Skoons]

hmm, May be you need to try to migrate to Linux or something like that. Not many users can hack it, or even play games (because there are so little number of games for Linux)

[PeejAvery]

Personally, I don't think that BioHazard is at a big network. My guess is that it is small and people aren't going to have their own hard drives. Nor would it be copasetic to disconnect the CD-ROM.

[Skoons]

Personally, I don't think that BioHazard is at a big network. My guess is that it is small and people aren't going to have their own hard drives. Nor would it be copasetic to disconnect the CD-ROM.
Well he turned off our network before CD-ROMS, and it don`t help. But if he has lille enough network with not experinced users he may try to block them under logins.
And about HDD, they just dissassemble computers and put their HDD in them. So it is unstoppable

[PeejAvery]

So it is unstoppable
That is the point each one of us has been saying.

[Skoons]

That is the point each one of us has been saying.
but administrative rules may help. For example eah person who was caught by computer games must pay 50$. It will work :D

[Luchin_plusplus]

Well he turned off our network before CD-ROMS, and it don`t help. But if he has lille enough network with not experinced users he may try to block them under logins.
And about HDD, they just dissassemble computers and put their HDD in them. So it is unstoppable

And how is that users can just take a toolbox from their home and *simply* come and install their HDDs in your lab's machines?
I mean, there should be a minimum PHYSICAL surveillance, or else they will just take your HDD's to their homes.
If you can establish a minimal set of user policies (such as "if the user scrambles with the machine pay US$10"), you can prevent people from bringing their HDDs at least, but it does not work if you don't have someone or something *cough*webcams*cough* watching the room.

Just my US$.02...

[NoHero]

is it possible to restrict users from playing video games through windows registry (win xp professional)? can someone help me about it?

I know the way to restrict specific applications through registry(using DisallowRun key), but for it I have to give the application's exe file name. But how can I restrict a user from playing all video games?, of course I cannot give exe file names of all video games?

After our Schooladministrator figured out that he cannot block all game executables he did the following:


Replaced the internal HDD with a 8GB one, so only Windows and needed programms fit on it.
Replaced the new 3d cards with old 2d one's: Riva TNT 2, ATI Rage 128 Pro and such stuff. No good game would run on that.