disable msn messenger for group

[tadrian]

I am a computer teacher at a small Catholic school, and we would like to disable msn messenger for the students only (the teachers use it to ask me questions).

We are running a W2K Server w/60 WXP Clients. I have student users set up in one group and teachers and staff in 2 other groups. Students and Teachers often log on to the same machines.

I have tried to use the "Don't run specified Windows applications" under Student Group Policy >> User Config >> Admin Templates >> System.

Initially, this works. The msn icon does not show up in their system tray, nor does the application run form the Start menu. HOWEVER, the students are able to bypass this by going to hotmail.com and signing up or signing in there. And dagnamit, the msn icon is in the system tray again and they are able to use it!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, I am sure that the Fathers and Sisters here would put in a good word for you!!

 

[Zelandakh]

Nice bribe - not one I've seen on here before!

If its machine based lock down, you can install your own MSN messenger with a version far newer than the current one - one that isn't really MSN. There is a thread in Enterprise Level Desktop Management that deals with that.

Other thoughts are that you could stop access to msn.com but they could go to downloads.com and various others. You could use a policy to stop then installing software and have published installations.

The easiest way would be to use a GPO that allows the teachers to install software and the students to not install software, install MSN on all computers in the usual directory and give access to that directory to teachers.

That should give you some thoughts.

Also use the legal section (between Ctrl Alt Del and login screen) to note that students must not use MSN under penalty of something.

 

[Lucozadez]

Just create a domain, where u are the administrator, and they are just users, users can not install software.

Only administrators can.

Their you go.

 

[Wirdo]

This site might help

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q302089/

Read the last one "Windows Messenger 4.0 on a Windows XP Home Edition-Based Computer". It says for XP but it is the same on win2k. The problem is you will have to touch every machine or write a script that will add this.

 

[Wirdo]

Just realized your clients are XP. So this should be what you need. Hope it helps