Does anyone know how I should be activating and installing GAOTD programs so that all users on my PC can use an activated version? Currently, running XP, I download and activate and install all programs under my user id. Then when I switch to another user, I always have to run the activation for each user or else they get stuck using a trial version. After I run the activation under their id, all is okay. There must be a faster way. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
How to Activate For all XP Users?
(14 posts) (6 voices)-
BigTurtleGeek
MemberPosted 17 years ago # -
Unfortunately there isn't. Most developers put the registration details in the currently logged in users profile. As you have correctly pointed out, when a different user logs in, the settings are not present for them and the software runs as "a trial".
This is just the way windows works. It would be better IMO if the programmers wrote their software to put these settings in the "Local Machine" section of the registry so they would apply to the actual computer instead of the currently logged in user - but that is not my decision to make.
Posted 17 years ago # -
Archangel
MemberDuring the installation of the software, watch each step and you will see an option that says something along the line, "Enable for current user only" (which is usually checked by default) and then the next option is "Allow all users" (thats the one to check). Those aren't the exact words or should I say wording but watch real close on your next installation and you should see them.
OOP's forgot to mention, I'm running XP Pro but it should be the same.
Posted 17 years ago # -
OK. Now I think I know what you are referring to, Archangel.
The "make available for all users" or "only the current user" relates simply to where the desktop icon and start menu items are placed.
Having an icon displayed for all users, will not actually "activate" or "register" the software for all users, which is what "BigTurtleGeek" was asking about.
So I stand by my original comment - to activate the software for all users, in most cases the only way to achieve this, is to log in under each user account you want the software activated for, and run "Activate". As this is what you are already doing, there isn't currently an easier way.
Posted 17 years ago # -
Actually, it would be better if developers put software registration data in the correct location. When registering software to run on a PC you store that information where it is available for all users (like HKLM) - It seems the "easy option" is often taken - storing license details alongside individual user preferences.
But anyway, I'm sure lots of users would appreciate if the GOTD team could make up for the flaws in the registration/activation of the software by offering to activate for each user account on the computer. (Of course then everyone would need to run activate.exe with Admin privs).
Posted 17 years ago # -
Casey44
MemberBubby, Archangel, ..
There is only 1 correct way (according to the MS 'laws' for programmers)
Each install/setup pgm should ask "install for which users"
Registry data must then go to the HKUsers part of those users, NOT to the HKLM!But then there are almost no programmers who stick to that, not even MS programmers for MS programs, as you may have noted ;-)
Programs running under a limited user should then be forbidden to access most parts of HKLM.
But because most pgms would not run anymore if this was really forbidden, MS leaves this allowed, creating the biggest security hole that exists in WinXP.Posted 17 years ago # -
I don't think I have EVER installed a program (including any microsoft programs) that ask "which users should the software be installed/registered for".
When I have typed in a CD-Key or a serial number - I've never been given a list of users to select who it "applies to".
(BTW - it is not a security risk to allow programs to read from HKLM. They do it all the time. The only restriction is installing and writing to HKLM is that the installation must be done from a privileged account. The software is then used from the security context of the user).
Still I suppose now you have told us about this "law" - someone might be the first to write a program to do it that way... one day. ;)
Posted 17 years ago # -
jr46
MemberI'm fairly new to using XP as I jumped from ME to XP Home only last year. I didn't know much about XP's "security" features, but I slowly discovered that programs weren't always being installed like I expected them to. I eventually started opening Explorer and moving all the Start Menu icons to the All Users folder. This gave me access to them whenever I ran another account I set up as User.
The interesting thing about this is that some of the programs from here (and other places) under that account run as registered, and some don't. I had a 60-minute trial game that had expired under my Administrator account that still had 45 minutes left under the User account. (I guess I had tried it for 15 minutes, I don't remember.)
Also, I have noticed some install programs with a choice to install for All Users before, but not very many.
Posted 17 years ago # -
FYI. We have been there before ;)
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/366Posted 17 years ago # -
Archangel
MemberThanks for the info Casey44 and yes they should go by it. Most software that I own asks me to allow current user only or anybody/everybody LOL. I thought activate.exe authorized installation on the pc only but thought that you had the option during installation by the software to make the choices.
I'll snapshot the next program setup that I buy where it shows those options.
Posted 17 years ago #
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