Tip #3755 - Program Access and Defaults
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Q:
I was looking around in my Add/Remove Programs area in the Control Panel
and I found something on the side that said "Set Program Access and
Defaults." What does this mean and should I even mess with it?
A:
It's interesting that you asked this question, because a co-worker of
mine here at WorldStart actually pointed this out to me awhile back. I
guess it must have slipped my mind though, because I never did anything
about it. So, I guess it's time to redeem myself, because after researching
this feature, I thought it might be something a lot of you would be interested
in. So, let's check it out together!
First of all, this
feature can only be found in Windows XP and you need to have Service Pack
1 or higher. If you're using anything lower than that, this will not work
for you. Again, what we're talking about is called "Set Program Access
and Defaults." You can use this feature to change the default programs
you use for certain activities you do while on your computer. For example,
such activities as simply surfing the Web, sending e-mails, playing CDs
or using instant messaging programs.
Now, before I go into
any more detail, I need to tell you that you must have Administrator
rights to use this feature. Otherwise, you won't be able to change
any of your default programs and that will just defeat the whole purpose
of this tip. If you're not sure how to get Administrator rights, you can
read this article
for some help. Also, if you use a Windows XP Professional computer that
is part of a network, you must be logged in as the Administrator or as
a member of the Administrators group to be able to do this. The same goes
for those of you who use Windows XP Professional or Home Edition computers
that are not part of a network. You still need to be
signed in as the computer's Administrator in order to change the default
program settings.
Okay, once you're
all set with that, go to Start, All Programs
and then find the choice that says "Set Program Access and
Defaults." (You can also get there by going to Start,
Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs.
On the left hand side, you'll see the choice for "Set Program
Access and Defaults"). Once you're there, you have four
options to choose from. They are:
1.) You can restore
your program settings to what they were when established by the manufacturer
of your computer. If you want to do that, click on the Computer
Manufacturer choice. Now, this option is only available if the
actual manufacturer put Service Pack 1 on your computer and set allowances
for those settings. (If you're not sure on that, you may want to contact
your manufacturer or look for some information about it in your computer's
manual).
2.) If you want to
set your program defaults to fit the needs of the activities you do on
your computer (like the ones I mentioned above), click on the Microsoft
Windows choice. With this option, you will be able to access
both Microsoft and non-Microsoft programs from your Start menu, your desktop
or any other location you may choose on your computer.
3.) Now, if you want
to use non-Microsoft programs as your defaults, click the Non-Microsoft
choice. You can then just select the options that you want. Now,
keep in mind: This configuration does remove your available access to
other specified Windows programs.
4.) The last choice
is to combine the non-Microsoft and Microsoft Windows options. This one
is under the name of Custom, so if you'd like to do this,
click it. You can then select the options you want to set for your computer.
By doing a custom setting, you can pretty much do a combination of all
the above choices. That includes being able to access your programs from
your Start menu, your desktop and any other location you choose.
Once you have all
your settings in place, click the OK button and everything
will be ready. In case you were wondering, my computer is set to Custom,
because with that, I have the most control over the way my programs act
on my computer. You can (and should) choose for yourself, but that's my
opinion. Alright, now that you know what this feature is, go and get your
programs to do what you want them to do, all in a few easy clicks!
~ Erin
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