XP - Unused / Installed software now inactive

[Jasonchatham]

Hi all

Does Windows XP Pro have some sort of disabling feature for programs that are not used for a long while ?

A user has recently brought me his laptop and requested Word is installed. I never queried it with him just thought it was my mistake for not installing it originally. But in Add / Remove programs Word is listed as installed.

Regards

Jason

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
What security is set for Word? Does the user have access rights?

 

[kosekjm]

Hi there,

I'm not familiar with any type of disablement. Is it possible that the personalized menus are on? If it is, and the program is not used for awhile, then the personalized menus will remove it from the Start-Programs list. If this is the case, there should be an arrow at the bottom of your programs stack that should expand to show all of the programs, not just the most recently used.

If personalized menus are on, and you want them turned off,
Right click the start button
Select Properties
Click the Customize button for whichever version of the Start Menu you are using (ie classic, or start menu)
Under the advanced start menu options, look for Use personalized menus and uncheck the box.
Hit OK back out to the desktop

All of your programs should now be displayed, regardless of when they were last used.

Again, not sure if this is your problem or not, but sounds similar.

kosekjm

 

[bcastner]

right-click a blank area of the Desktop, Properties, Desktop, Customize Desktop, and uncheck to do a desktop cleanup wizard every 60 days.

The programs are not disabled, the desktop is cleaned of unused icons. They are placed in a folder on the desktop and can be dragged out again.