Can I install a program for only one users user profile?

Kol12 · Mar 9, 2022

I want to install some software but only want it available to one user profile. I don't want that software's background processes running in my other user profiles. Is this possible? I think I saw a tech article that said you can install the software to the users user profile folder instead of C:\Program Files.

cereberus · Mar 9, 2022

You can move the shortcut from common public desktop folder to the individual user folder. You would have to ensure the program is not automatically started from startup tab in Taak Manager.

Moving shortcut only makes shotcut invisible and does not stop somebody navigating to its .exe file and running it.

If you wish to do that, you would have to modify access permissions to only allow you to access it.

Kol12 · Mar 9, 2022

cereberus said:
You can move the shortcut from common public desktop folder to the individual user folder. You would have to ensure the program is not automatically started from startup tab in Taak Manager.

Moving shortcut only makes shotcut invisible and does not stop somebody navigating to its .exe file and running it.

If you wish to do that, you would have to modify access permissions to only allow you to access it.

This would still mean any background services associated with that software will still run in the background on the other user accounts and I don't want that...

cereberus · Mar 9, 2022

Kol12 said:
This would still mean any background services associated with that software will still run in the background on the other user accounts and I don't want that...

No - not if you do not start it - you just prevent it starting in Task Manager startup tab

Kol12 · Mar 10, 2022

cereberus said:
No - not if you do not start it - you just prevent it starting in Task Manager startup tab

Some programs have background services that run regardless of whether the program is disabled from startup...

cereberus · Mar 10, 2022

Kol12 said:
Some programs have background services that run regardless of whether the program is disabled from startup...

Then you have to mess around disabling then in services, or putting them on manual start.

In the end it is easier just to create a dual boot option on pc where version with your program only has an account for you.

jimbo45 · Mar 10, 2022

Hi folks
Some programs install with option "Install for all users" or just the "logged on" user so perhaps one needs to see how the installation process handles it.

This link seems to have some way of making it possible without any hacks / tricks etc

https://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/install-an-app-for-a-single-user-on-windows-10/

Cheers
jimbo

Kol12 · Mar 10, 2022

cereberus said:
Then you have to mess around disabling then in services, or putting them on manual start.

In the end it is easier just to create a dual boot option on pc where version with your program only has an account for you.

Why can't I just create a new user account to run that program? My understanding is the program would have to be installed to the users app data folder rather than C:\Program Files to prevent that program and services running in other user accounts.

If this isn't possible I will look at dual booting.