Hi,

After I create a new user account for Windows XP it reinstalls any programs I click on. Say I have photoshop CS and I log into the new user account, then click the shortcut for photoshop it reinstalls the program. I think it is reinstalling it or is it configuring it?

Thanks!
John

I FIND it difficult to believe that it would be reinstalling the programs for this REASON: there are unlikely to be any source files for an installation on your computer. Are the setup or msi files for every application on the hard drive? That would be the only way that they could be reinstalling. In other words: If you install CS, it takes the compressed files from the CD, uncompresses them, places them on your HD, and does some gratuitous registry twiddling. The CD is removed and the application cannot be "reinstalled" from those files on the hard drive regardless of if a new user is created and logged on. The original setup or MSI file from the CD must be used.

To my knowledge, an application cannot "reinstall" in another user's account from already installed files nor would it need to. Is this computer on a domain? The BEHAVIOR sounds similar to when an application is assigned to a user in an Active Directory environment, EXCEPT in that scenario I think the app is installed on log on, not when the app's icon is double clicked. I suppose the domain theory is unlikely in this situation... but I had to ask.  

Does this behavior happen for *every* program you start in a new user account? Could you explain in more detail what you see when you start an application? Does it happen every time you open an application or only on the first try? Does any dialog box pop up and actually use the word "installing" or "reinstalling"? You might be right in your guess that the program is simply creating a seperate user profile for a new user.

Here's one thing to try: When you start an application, open task manager (CTRL-Shift-Escape), go to the processes tab, sort the processes by NAME (click on 'Image Name' above the leftmost column), and see if you can find a running process called "msiexec" or "setup.exe". If you do see either of those names, look over to the CPU column and see if they're taking any percentage of your CPU's time. Then sort processes by CPU usage (click the CPU title in the window) and see what is taking up your CPU's time. If it turns out to be something other than an msiexec or setup application, then we've narrowed the possibilities down.

Report back to us!  


--Oober NooberSome Programs do need to Set up there own User Accounts , its usaly just Personil Preferances that change , most MS office programs do this witout telling you.

ive not used Photoshop CS on a multi User machine , but its proberly just setting up a personal Folder for Each account that use's it

If it not Trowing Any Errors i wouldent worry about it,
And if you inten to install programs for every one on the machince you will offten find a button for Only Me this user , or All Users on this machine. so just pic alll users , unless theres an Extra licene involved