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How to Make a Program Available to All Users on Windows 11
Move the shortcut around and grant permissions to everyone
4 min. read
Updated onAugust 14, 2024
updated onAugust 14, 2024
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Key notes
To make an app available to all users, place its shortcut in thePublic Desktopfolder, and grant read and write privileges to everyone.
If you want to share an app between user accounts on Windows, keep reading. But, shouldn’t programs installed on one account be available to all users automatically? Sadly, that’s not the case with Windows.
But you can work around that.
How do you see if a program is installed for all users?
To verify whether a program is installed for all users or the current account, check the installation path. If it’s available under theProgram FilesorProgram Files(x86)folder, the program should be accessible on all user accounts.
However, programs saved in theAppDatafolder of a specific account are accessible only to that user. Remember, it doesn’t matter whether you are the administrator or a standard user in this case.
How do I make apps available for all users in Windows 11?
1. Move the program and configure permissions
Now, the program is shared between users on Windows 11, and when you sign in to the other user account, it will be listed on the desktop.
Remember, if you just add the application to thePublic Desktopfolder, it will throw an error when launched. You will have to grant both read and write permissions to the other user for the program’s .exe file in thePublic Desktopfolder and the program’s base folder.
Don’t want to go through all the trouble, simplyrun the program as a different user.
2. Install a program for all users on Windows 11
Some programs are designed to be installed across user profiles. So, when you run the setup, there are separate options to install it for the current user account or all of them. If one is not available, change the installation path toProgram FilesorProgram Files (x86).
For a few, you can make the program available to all users in Windows 11 without any modifications. They automatically get installed across the different accounts.
If you didn’t do that earlier,uninstall the app, and then run the setup all over again. In case you are asked tosign out other users, make sure to do so before proceeding with the installation!
3. Use the Family feature by Microsoft
Microsoft also allows users to share applications downloaded from the Microsoft Store between user accounts. For instance, you can purchase Minecraft from one account and share it with others. You just need tocreate a family of Microsoft accounts and share the app.
Besides, with the Family feature, you all don’t necessarily need to be sharing the same device. Even family Microsoft accounts on different devices will show all the Microsoft apps.
How do I restrict access to a program in Windows 11?
You can easily restrict access to specific programs using theRegistry Editoror theLocal Group Policy Editor. The former is the preferred approach, but if you are runningWindows 11 Homeand want to use the latter,manually install gpedit.msc.
With the Registry, you just need to add aDisallowRunkey underExplorer, create a DWORD for the application you want to restrict access to, and it won’t open anymore.
Remember, it is not advisable to make every program available to all users in Windows 11. The critical ones should be limited to the current user.
Also, from the parental guidance point of view, restricting some programs from child users makes sense. And if they have already got any, you can evenuninstall Windows 11 default apps using PowerShell.
For any queries or to share which method worked best for you, drop a comment below.
More about the topics:apps,user accounts,Windows 11
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
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