Secure Desktop Restriction (Windows 2000/XP)

Registry Guide for Windows
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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Secure Desktop Restriction (Windows 2000/XP)
Category: Home > Security > Desktop and Explorer

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
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This restriction is used to stop interactive users from snooping on other user sessions by exploiting a Windows vulnerability. This feature is enabled by default but may interfere with some software applications.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value called 'SecureDesktop' using the settings below.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Note: This fix was first included in Windows 2000 Service Pack 1.


(Default)	REG_SZ	(value not set)
SecureDesktop	REG_DWORD	0x00000001 (1)


	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

Settings:

System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows]
Name: SecureDesktop
Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value: (0 = insecure, 1 = secure)

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: July 25, 2002

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