3 votes

Problems sharing programs between two local Windows accounts

Posted by alcappuccino
Tags: ask.advice, windows

Hi everyone, so, I'm going to start a new freelancing job so, I decided to create a separate admin local account on my personal desktop so that everything would be better organized and, for example, to not show my installed games if I have to share my screen to someone. So, my objective would be to not have duplicated installed programs for the two user accounts and when appropriate, only install a work program on the work account.

But, I thought setting up this would actually be easier than I thought. At first, I thought all programs would be installed for all local users or that they would install only for the current user, but it seems it is completely random. Some programs show up on my new user account, some don't. Sadly, most programs do not ask if you want to install for the current user or for all users. Some programs don't even ask where do you want to install your program.

A good example is Firefox, it is installed system-wide and when I start, I have a fresh new browser where I set up the desired settings and add-ons which means my settings are only for the currently logged user.

I know there are some easy "tricks", like, move the desktop shortcut from my User Desktop folder to the Public Desktop. But it is harder to do for programs like f.lux, which should start when Windows boots up. Some programs also do not show up when you search on the start menu.

Has anyone gone through the same process as I? Can anyone give me tips on how to better organize between Work and Personal local user accounts? Basically, some programs like my browser should be "shared" between both accounts, but a work program should only be available on the Work local account (should I simply install into C:\Users<work-user>\AppData\Local\Programs ?).

Sorry, for all the trouble. I already investigated on the web and I don't find any good information to be honest.

3 comments

  1. [3]
    TheJorro
    Link
    Can you give a list of which programs aren't being shared when you'd like them to be? You've already identified the reason why it happens (apps that are user-specific are installed to AppData, not...

    Can you give a list of which programs aren't being shared when you'd like them to be? You've already identified the reason why it happens (apps that are user-specific are installed to AppData, not Program Files), it's just a matter of finding out if there is a system-wide installer for them for the most part. However, there are some where I'm not sure an option exists (e.g. Discord) so it may just require a second install for the second user.

    1. [2]
      alcappuccino
      Link Parent
      Thanks for the reply! So, what are you saying is, in case I want something only for the current logged-in user and the program lets me decide the installation path, then should I choose to install...

      Thanks for the reply!

      So, what are you saying is, in case I want something only for the current logged-in user and the program lets me decide the installation path, then should I choose to install directly into ...\AppData\Local\Programs ? This is something that I was not sure if it was good practice.

      So, all other programs should go into \ProgramFiles if I want them available for all users?

      I haven't checked the full list of programs not available to the Work user, but for example, f.lux and Bing Wallpaper are two examples.

      1. knocklessmonster
        Link Parent
        If it's a multi user install it'll default to C:\Program Files. If it's a single-user install it'll default to AppData. You can't change the style of install by arbitrarily installing to one or...

        If it's a multi user install it'll default to C:\Program Files. If it's a single-user install it'll default to AppData. You can't change the style of install by arbitrarily installing to one or the other, but the instaler will do it based on the selected option of it exists.

        1 vote