Policies for the passwords caching management in Internet Explorer

The article gives the System Policies, which manage the caching, on the other hand, saving to the local drive, the passwords in Internet Explorer.

The dialog box will appear, requesting additional credentials whether to save or not password, after the password is entered to the form window in Internet Explorer. Later, the password will not to be entered once more time, when the same page with the same input form is opened. That is the very password caching.

On the one hand, the password caching is the obvious facility for user, who may even forget the entered password, on other hand, is the serious security threat, because the unhampered access to password-protected resource is possible, it is enough for this to know its exact name. If in Windows the automatic completion for the addresses or forms in Windows or Internet Explorer is enabled, so called AutoComplete, the task is simplified to minimum. The very feature of automatic completion gives out the item list, while exploring which it is possible to guess the exact name of resource. The one taken item given by automatic completion can be deleted from the list. The item must be selected and the DEL must be clicked afterwards. However, this feature does not for the drop-down addresses list entered in Internet Explorer address box.

If one opens in browser "Internet Options (Properties)" the page with "Content" tab, one can see the "AutoComplete" button. On clicking this button, the dialog box appears containing the check boxes for the control over "Use AutoComplete for": "Web addresses", "Forms", "User names and passwords on forms" and "Prompt me to save passwords". The password caching in Web pages forms can be totally disabled with check box named "User names and passwords on forms". The check box "Prompt me to save passwords" deselecting disables all the further caching, but, the passwords, entered before, are still automatically suggested, when the user name is entered in the same form. The passwords AutoComplete prohibition in settings does not clean the information on names and passwords corresponding to them, which is already entered before, which; there are to buttons for this to "Clear AutoComplete history", which are located below, in the same dialog box, named: "Clear Forms", "Clear Passwords".

The full consideration of the AutoComplete feature is out of this article topic. I note two facts in conclusion. The AutoComplete settings, stored addresses, are common either for Internet or Windows Explorer. The last fact: the AutoComplete is nice tool to implement the activity analysis and to reconstruct the user's work.

To avoid unnecessary reiteration and potential discrepancies, caused by the difference inherent to various browsers versions, presence the installed services packs, various Windows versions, I must at once notice, that all the given information was tested on Windows ME, Internet Explorer 5.5, with installed service pack for 128-bit cipher strength.

Disable Password Caching

Here the talk will be about how to disable the password caching in Internet Explorer. This system policy has restricted application. The information given here concerns: the Internet Explorer of 4.01 version with the 2nd service pack installed, the Internet Explorer of 5 and 5.01 versions, working on Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 and the Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition. For instance, the Internet Explorer of 5.5 version ignored this policy, while performing the test on Windows ME.

The state of this system policy is stored in the numeric "DisablePasswordCaching" value, which must be in "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" system registry key, in HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. Correspondingly, the policy range spreads over the Current User only, but not over all the system. The "1" value enables the policy, the "0" value or its missing disables the policy. "By default" this policy is in disabled state in Internet Explorer and there is password caching in Internet Explorer.

The Microsoft company releases the article Q229940 in MSDN titled: "How to Disable Internet Explorer Password Caching".

Do not allow AutoComplete to save passwords

This system policy has the similar purpose to the previous one. While in active state this system policy disables the automatic completion of the names and passwords in Web-pages forms and prevents from appearance the dialog boxes requesting whether to save or new password. If this policy is enabled, the check boxes "User names and passwords on forms" and "Prompt me to save passwords" become dimmed, showing that blocked both these features and the very possibility to switch them on.

One must select the page with "Content" tab in "Internet Options (Properties)" settings, and later click the "AutoComplete" button in order to see these check boxes.

The value "FormSuggest Passwords", storing this policy, is located in "Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel", in HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. The range of this policy covers only the Current User, registered in the system, but not all the system on the whole. It is not necessary to reboot all the system but will be enough to reload the very browser, closed before this all its instances, to take this policy into effect, when its state is changed.

It is demonstrative, that the Microsoft realisation of this policy provokes more than perplexity. The "FormSuggest Passwords" value can be either of numeric (DWORD) or binary or string type. The missing of value in the system registry brings the policy to the disabled state - state "by default". If the value is of numeric type, the two Boolean values: "1", gives the active state, and "0", which gives disabled, respectively, stands for the representation of two states. When the value is of binary type, it can have two possible values: "01 00 00 00" for active state and "00 00 00 00" for not active.

The strangest reaction of this policy was on the content of this value of string type. The empty string or the "yes", "no", "1" and "0"content bring the policy to active state. The strings "true" and "false" or total missing of value cancel its effect. The symbol case had no effect.

The active state of the policy for "prohibition for AutoComplete to save passwords" does not lead to erasing the information that is already entered into history journal, which stores the names and corresponding to them passwords.

And last note: the "FormSuggest Passwords" value, storing in "Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel" key and the value with the same name, which can be stored in "Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main" key, possibly appearing in either HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, or HKEY_CURRENT_USER hives are not to be mixed. The last value belongs to the browser setting, storing the state of check box with name "User names and passwords on forms".

The implementation in Activity and Authentication Analyzer

In order to see the state of above-mention policy "Disable Password Caching" or to manipulate it in Activity and Authentication Analyzer follow in the left navigation pane next way:

Computer Administration then Internet Explorer and find it in the right list item corresponding to this policies named:

• Disable Password Caching

In order to see the state of above-mention policy "Do not allow AutoComplete to save passwords" or to manipulate it in Activity and Authentication Analyzer follow in the left navigation pane next way:

Computer Administration then Internet Explorer, then IE Tools and find it in the right list item corresponding to this policies named:

• Do not allow AutoComplete to save passwords

System Policies for Password applet of Control Panel

The article is dedicated to the System Policies for the Password applet of Control Panel for Windows 95, 98, ME.

Passwords in the common sense resemble the key and the lock and, when humankind begot the division to the native and the strange, there appeared the problem of authentication. The password management is inseparable part of any system security rules and simultaneously the main target for the computer malefactors.

The system policies for Windows 95, 98 and ME, destined for the restriction of the accessible for the user actions in Passwords applet, which is located in Control Panel are represented in this article. The Password applet has three pages: "Change Passwords", "Remote Administration" and "User Profiles". The "Remote Administration" page will appear after the installation of the relevant services. The "Change Passwords" tab contains the controls: "Change Windows" and "Change other Passwords". The "Remote Administration" tab is used for enabling and further managing the "Remote administration". The customised (personal) preferences for the different users for the Desktop, Network Neighbourhood, Start menu and Programs menus can be enabled on the "User Profiles" page. The below-given system policies were designed for single-user, or how it went in fashion to name: "client", Windows systems. I do not intentionally introduce the detailed descriptions for the functions or purposes of these or others settings of "User Profiles" or "Remote Administration" in order not to go away from the topic of Password administration in Windows 9.x. The Passwords management in Windows NT or 2000 is also out of this article topic.

All the policies given in the article have a lot of common features. All of them are Boolean, in other words, can have only two states. They have the scope of the Current User only, and all are stored in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER system registry hive. The values corresponding to their states are numeric (DWORD) and can be equal to "1", enabling the policy and to "0", disabling it. The policies are absent in the system by default. If there is no corresponding value in the system registry, this is equivalent to the "0" and disables the policy. All the policies are stored in "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" key.

Disable Passwords in Control Panel

This policy, stored in "NoSecCPL" value, prohibits from launching the Passwords applet in Control Panel, thus, protecting from changing the system settings concerned with the system security. While making an attempt to access there appears the message that the system administrator restricted the Passwords applet.

Hide Change Passwords Page

The state of this policy is stored in the "NoPwdPage" value. When the policy is in enabled state, the access to the "Change Passwords" page is closed. This page is removed from the Passwords applet and Windows passwords can not be changed through this applet in Control Panel.

Hide Remote Administration Page

The value "NoAdminPage" responds for the hiding of the "Remote Administration" page. If the policy is enabled, there is no access to "Remote Administration" page, since the page is removed from the Passwords applet and it will be impossible to change the settings through the applet in Control Panel.

Hide User Profiles Page

The value "NoProfilePage", being equal to "1", turns this policy to the enabled state and the "User Profiles" page is removed from the Passwords applet. Thus, the applet using to change "User Profiles" settings is forbidden.

The implementation in Activity and Authentication Analyzer

In order to see the state of above-mentioned policies or to manipulate them in Activity and Authentication Analyzer follow in the left navigation pane next way:

Computer Administration then Control Panel, Passwords item after this, and find in the right list items corresponding to these policies named:

• Disable Passwords in Control Panel
• Hide Change Passwords Page
• Hide Remote Administration Page
• Hide User Profiles Page

System Policies for the restriction of Display settings (Part 2)

The description of the system policies intended for the Display settings restriction is continued in this article.

Screen Saver, besides the functionality of User Interface decoration, can have the functions of security and discretionary access, when it has enabled the password protection. Screen Saver, like every application, demands substantial resources to work. The latest versions of screen savers are drastically saturated with graphics, what could slow the system down, especially during initial start. This can have an effect, for example, on performance of the disk defragmentation program. Next three system policies are dedicated to restrictions imposing on Screen Saver.

Disable screen savers from running while Disk Defragmenter Active

This system policy can be applied to Windows versions 9.x and ME. It is stored in the "Default" value, in the "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Applets\Defrag\Settings\DisableScreenSaver" key, located in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. Two Boolean values: "Yes" and "No" respond for the state of this policy. Which of values corresponds to which state of this policy, I think, is clear from the literal meanings of these words in English. If the "Default" value does not store anything, this means that the policy is not enabled. While in enabled state, this policy blocks the screen saver launching when the Disk Defragmenter is active.

The launch of screen saver during the disk defragmenter active can slow down or interrupt the disk defragmenter routine. Here it is necessary to note that this policy affects only the defragmentation program which is provided together with Windows. This system policy does watch the work of disk defragmentors from other vendors, for example, from the Norton Utilities package.

No screen saver

This system policy works in Windows versions 2000 and XP. If this policy is enabled, it will prohibit Screen Saver from launching and blocks all "Screen Saver" section with saver settings. It is stored in DWORD "ScreenSaveActive" value in "Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop" key of HKEY_CURRENT_USER system registry hive. The "0" value means active state of this policy and protection of the Screen Saver launch. The "1" or its absence is analogous to the state, when the policy is not configured and there is no prohibition to Screen Saver against launching or their settings adjusting.

Password protect the screen saver

This system policy can be also applied only in Windows versions 2000 and XP. Comparing with other system policies given in this article, its state can be represented by a pair of Boolean values, coming to the binary "yes" or "no". It has three states. This policy is stored in HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive in DWORD "ScreenSaverIsSecure" value, which must be located in "Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop" key. This policy responds to, whether the Screen Savers, which are used in Windows system, resort to passwords and prohibits setting (changing) Screen Saver password by means of Display Properties application.

This policy has three states:

1. The "ScreenSaverIsSecure" value is absent in system registry. The behavior of screen saver is usual and the passwords can be changed, set or using of them can be canceled with the aid of check box window "Password protected".
2. The value stores "0". In this case, the password protection is compulsorily disabled.
3. When the value is "1" the passwords for screen savers are compulsorily enabled.

If the "ScreenSaverIsSecure" value is present in "Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop" system registry key and it stores any of "1" or "0" values, it means that the policy is in active state and the check box window is blocked. On the other hand, it will be impossible to enable or disable password protection until the value is deleted from the registry.

The above-described policy "No Screen Saver" has the priority over this policy. If the policy "No Screen Saver" is enabled state, the system ignores the state of "Password protect the screen saver" policy.

Allow only bitmapped wallpaper

This system policy, having the range of Current User, allows using only bitmapped images of bmp-format for the Desktop wallpaper. It ought just now to mention that it can be applied for Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP. The policy will work in Windows 95 and NT, with Explorer 4.0x or higher installed together with the "Active Desktop". And, on condition, that the "Active Desktop" is not disabled by the system policy. It is related to the "Active Desktop" management and that is why its consideration is out of topic of present article.

The DWORD "NoHTMLWallPaper" value, stored in "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop" key in HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive, responds for state of this policy. This value accepts two states "1" or "0". The "0" value or its absence disables the system policy.

Disable Changing Wallpaper

This system policy, having also the range of Current User, prohibits from Desktop wallpaper changing. Like previous policy, it is related to the policies for "Active Desktop" management and works in Windows 98, ME, 200 and XP. "Disable Changing Wallpaper" can be applied in Windows 95 and NT, when Internet Explorer 4.0x is installed with the "Active Desktop".

The DWORD "NoChangingWallpaper" value, located in "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop" key, in HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. This value can have two states: "1", when the policy is enabled, or "0" (absence of value), when the policy is not activated. If the "Active Desktop" is not installed or it is disabled by the policy, this policy is ignored.

Disable Display in Control Panel

This policy prohibits Display application from launching and using. When it is activated, it will be necessary to work directly with registry by means Regedit or third-party vendors utilities to change the Display settings. Its range is Current User. The message is appeared, while attempt to launch Display application, explaining that Administrator disabled Display.

DWORD "NoDispCPL" value accepts two of Boolean values: "1" or "0". Its "0" value or its absence disables the system policy. The value "1" activates the system policy. This value is stored in "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" key, in HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive.

The implementation in Activity and Authentication Analyzer

In order to see the state of some of above-mentioned policies or to manipulate them in Activity and Authentication Analyzer follow in the left navigation pane next way:

Computer Administration then Control Panel, later Display and find in the right list items corresponding to these policies named:

• Disable Screen Saver while Disk Defragmenter Active
• No screen saver
• Password protect the screen saver

In order to see the state of some of above-mentioned policies or to manipulate them in Activity and Authentication Analyzer follow in the left navigation pane next way:

Computer Administration then Active Desktop and find in the right list items corresponding to these policies named:

• Allow only bitmapped wallpaper
• Disable Changing Wallpaper

To see the state of Disable Display in Control Panel policy or to manipulate it in Activity and Authentication Analyzer follow in the left navigation pane next way:

Computer Administration then Control Panel and find in the right list item corresponding to the policy named:

• Disable Display in Control Panel

System Policies for the restriction of Display settings

The article gives the System Policies intended to restrict the change of Display settings.

This article is dedicated in the most to the system policies allow restricting the access to the settings available through the Display applet in the Control Panel. The Display applet is accessible in Windows in several places. It is located in the Control Panel. Or it can be called using context menu, by clicking with right mouse button on the empty place on the Desktop and later by selecting the corresponding menu item.

There can be the situation, when the system administrator encounters the necessity to restrict access of the not skilled users to the Display settings. For instance, wrong refresh rate may have the result of physical damage to the monitor. The proper adjustment of Display settings may increase video subsystem performance rate as well as system general performance rate. The increasing of refresh rate diminishes the flicker effect, betters the comfort of work. That is called the ergonomic features. The Active Desktop settings are closely linked with Display settings. The last: the Active Desktop can be the breach in the system security. But, the Active Desktop has a lot of own settings and system policies, which consideration is out of topic of this article.

The most of the system policies illustrated in this article are stored in the values, which are or can be located in HKEY_CURRENT_USER system registry hive. It ought to note the general rule. That is to say: the policies stored in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER have the Current User scope, but not the entire Computer.

Hide Screen Saver Page

This policy works in all Windows versions and, being enabled, removes the Screen Saver page from the applet for the Display settings in Control Panel. The Screen Saver selection, its settings customisation, Energy saving features of monitor and computer will not be accessible, but through the direct work with the system registry. For instance, exit from the hibernation mode can lead to the hang-up of mouse or system in the whole. The Screen Saver removing, customisation and password change respectively will not be available, what can create the additional illusion of being secured for user and administrator.

The state of this system policy is stored in numeric value "NoDispScrSavPage" in key "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" of HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. The value equal to "1" is the active state of policy. The value "0" or its absence, what is equivalent to the state by default, means that policy is not applied or what is the same that the policy is in disabled state.

Disable UI to change menu animation setting

The animation effects for the Windows, menus and lists are created to vary that user's work, who likes transition effects, but can annoy or distract others from the work, who get accustomed to the classic interface or tired from long stay before the computer. The menu shading effect, drawing with explosion or sliding effects are, for example, considered as the animation effects.

The check box "Use transition effects for menus and tooltips", standing for the enabled or disabled state of the animation effects, is located on the Effects page of Display applet.

This system policy, fit for the Windows versions ME, 2000 and XP, while enabled, removes all the video animation effects. The option for the "Use transition effects for menus and tooltips" is also disabled, the dimming effect is applied on the check box, showing that the very possibility to turn on the animation effects is not available. This policy state is stored in the numeric value "NoChangeAnimation" in "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" registry key. This policy can be stored in both either HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE or HKEY_CURRENT_USER hives, and has the scope of either Current User or Local Machine respectively. A pair of Boolean values: "1" (enabled state) and "0" (disabled state) respond for representation of this policy. If the value is not present, this is equivalent to state by default - disabled policy. If conflict exists between policies applied both to Local Machine and Current User, the policy stored in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE has the priority over the policy which value stored in HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

Disable UI to change keyboard navigation indicator setting

This system policy, which works in Windows 2000 and XP is kindred to above-described system policy "Disable UI to change menu animation setting". The keyboard navigation indicator is the underlining indicating the hot key. If this policy is enabled, the navigation indicators are displayed only when the "Alt" key is pressed. The underlining, like animation effects for windows, menus and lists are also created for diversification of work for user, who likes the transition effects, but can embarrass or distract form job.

The option, which is the check box for turning on the effect of underlining, is located on the Effects page and named: "Hide keyboard navigation indicators until I use the ALT key". While the option "Hide keyboard navigation indicators until I use the ALT key" is blocked, the check box is dimmed to show that the possibility of turning on the navigation indicators is not accessible. The system policy, canceling the navigation indicators and forbidding the manipulation of their enabled (disabled) state, is stored in the numeric value "NoChangeKeyboardNavigationIndicators". This value is stored in the "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" system registry key. This policy can be present either in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive and have the Local Machine range or HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive, with Current User range. When the conflict exists between the same policies with the Local Machine and Current User ranges, the system policy, stored in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE has the priority over the policy, stored in HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. This policy state is represented with the pair of Boolean values: "1" and "0". The absence of value is equivalent to the state by default - "0", in other words, the disabled state of the policy.

Hide Appearance Page

This policy is applicable in all Windows versions and removes the Appearance page from the applet for Display settings in Control Panel after being enabled. It is stored in the numeric value "NoDispAppearancePage" of "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" key in HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. After appliance the Appearance page is hidden, and applet for Display settings can not be used for the customisation of colour or appearance scheme for the Desktop and windows.

A pair of Boolean values: "1" (enabled state) and "0" (disabled state) respond for representation of the policy. The absence of "NoDispAppearancePage" value means that the policy is not set or what is the same if it is in disabled state.

Hide Background Page

This policy works in all Windows versions and removes the Background page from the applet for Display settings in Control Panel after being set to the enabled state. The state of policy is stored in the "NoDispBackgroundPage" numeric value in "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" key of HKEY_CURRENT_USER system registry hive. When this policy is in active state, the Background page is removed and applet for Display settings can not be used for the customisation of patterns or wallpapers for Desktop.

There can be in the value one of Boolean values: "1", i.e. the policy is enabled, or "0", when the policy is in disabled state. When the "NoDispBackgroundPage" value is absent in "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" key, the applet for Display settings behaves in common way.

Hide Settings Page

This policy is applicable in all Windows versions and removes the Settings page from the applet for Display settings in Control Panel after being enabled applet for settings can not be used for the settings customisation of Display, video card, colour management. The numeric value "NoDispSettingsPage" of "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" in HKEY_CURRENT_USER system registry hive responds for this policy state.

A pair of Boolean values: "1" (enabled state) and "0" (disabled state) respond for representation of two states of this policy. The absence of "NoDispSettingsPage" value is equivalent to its zero value state.

In order to see the state of above-mentioned policies or to manipulate them in Activity and Authentication Analyzer follow in the left navigation pane next way:

Computer Administration then Control Panel, later Display and find in the right list items corresponding to these policies named:

• Hide Screen Saver Page
• Disable UI to change menu animation setting
• Disable UI to change keyboard navigation indicator setting
• Hide Appearance Page
• Hide Background Page
• Hide Settings Page

Applications startup in Windows

The article gives the systematisation of the places in the system registry and ini-files, which are for the placements of the application to be launched during Windows-system startup.

In «Komputernaya Gazeta» #10 (200) for 16 March 1999 I made my debut with the article «Breaking into Windows via registry». The talk in the article was about the places in the system registry, in initialization files, where the program can be registered to launch during the Windows boot. Since that time several new Windows versions have been released, new version have own features, and the amount of my knowledge has increased. It is high time to fill up the gaps.

The utility for system configuration MSConfig.exe

Beginning from Windows version 98, Microsoft supplies with utility «MSConfig.exe», which gives the convenient interface for management of files starting up while Windows boots. It is placed in Windows installation folder. One can launch it from «Run» dialog box. There is no option to add new item with the application or document name to start-up, but there is an option to turn off, not deleting, any of items present in the lists. There is another interesting option - to check the validity of the path corresponding to given start-up item, and to delete from the lists the items, which paths are not correct. In spite of the rather miserable functionality of this application, it fits for the users of system, but not for the administrators. I will refer to this utility under necessity further in the article.

Startup from the initialization files

The description of places for startup will be delivered in chronological order, beginning from the first Windows version and obsolete technologies. The initialization files were inherited from 16-bit Windows versions, Microsoft declared several times about getting rid of obsolete files, but up to now they are actually processed during boot.

There are two values in «Win.ini» file in «[windows]» section, which can be the place for startup. The first value is «load», the second one - «run». Their content «by default» is an empty string. The file names in them must contain no blanks; the composing of full file name in quotes is not admissible. In these values several file names can be enumerated by comma. Usually they are used for drivers loading, but can load «Trojan horses» or «keyboard spies».

Another initialization file, which can be used for applications startup is the «System.ini» file. There is a value «shell» in this file in «[boot]» section, which stores the name of Windows shell. The content «by default» of this value is «Explorer.exe». The value «shell» can contain the applications list for startup as command line parameters for «Explorer.exe». The «Explorer.exe» application processes the command line and tries to launch the applications or documents, enumerated in the command line. The requirements to the «shell» value format are the same as to above-mentioned values of «Win.ini» file. Last time this value is wide used for the network worms launch. This makes the localisation hard to reveal, as the administrators forget to check this value as a place for destructive applications startup.

«MSConfig.exe» utility allows checking the state and modifying the content of these three values: «load», «run», «shell», which are located in initialization files.

Startup folders

The first folder, which is worked through after the Windows booting finished, is the folder «StartUp», which can stores the list of applications or documents shortcuts (*.lnk). One can see its state, passed by the «Start» into the submenu «Programs». This is the folder, corresponding to the «Current User».

In order to find its location, one must to find in the system registry the «HKEY_CURRENT_USER \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Explorer\User Shell Folders» key storing the locations of all the changed folders and to search out the value «Startup» of string type. If the needed value is missing, that its location on hard drive «by default» is registered in the system registry in «Startup» value of «HKEY_CURRENT_USER \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Explorer\Shell Folders» key.

The utility for the system tuning «MSConfig.exe» shows the shortcuts to applications, which are located in «StartUp» folder. If any item is turned off using the «MSConfig.exe», that the folder named «Disabled Startup Items» will be created in «Programs» folder (it is the submenu in the «Start» menu), where «MSConfig.exe» will move the disabled item. In order to temporarily exclude the shortcut from the startup I resort to much simpler method: I set the attribute «hidden» on the needed shortcut and it will be omitted during the next booting.

The next folder is «Common» for all users - folder «StartUp» (Common Startup Folder), which is also processed after Windows booting to search for the shortcuts to documents or applications. One can see it in submenu «Start» in Windows NT or 2000. Its content is not shown in Windows 9.x, ME. It must store the shortcuts common for all users' profiles. This folder created for multi-users mode as reported in Microsoft documentation (MSDN). However, its content is processed, even Windows 95, 98, ME work in single-user mode.

The value «Common Startup» in «HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Explorer\User Shell Folders» system registry key, which store the locations of all the changed folders, stores its registered location on the hard drive. If this value is missing, one must search of this folder location «by default» in «Common Startup» in «HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Explorer\Shell Folders» key.

«MSConfig.exe» also shows the list of executables located in «Common» (general for all the users) «StartUp» folder. If using the «MSConfig.exe» turns off any item, the folder with name «Disabled Startup Items» will be created in the same, where the «Common StartUp» folder is located, folder, and the disabled item will be moved there.

The administrators are to pay attention to this folder content as to place of possible application startup.

System registry: startup, common for all Windows versions

There is the branch «SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion» in the Windows system registry containing several groups for applications startup. All these groups can be in the both HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive and HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. The description is general; all can be extrapolated for both these hives. If Windows is used in multi-user mode, in other words, this is either Windows version NT/2000/XP, or 95, 98, ME with user profiles enabled, one must also search these groups in «HKEY_USERS\.Default» hive. This branch is common for all the users of system. If Windows 95, 98, ME work in single-user mode, the «HKEY_USERS\.Default» branch is identical to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER branch.

So then, I give the full paths to keys:
«SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run»,
«SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce»,
«SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx»,
«SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\Setup»,
«SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices»,
«SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce»,
which can contain the string values with applications or documents names launching during the system starts. The «RunOnce» branch is not supported in Windows NT 3.5. The names of string values, which are located in these keys, can be arbitrary.

Further I deliver few rules, orientated on which one can better understand the process and the order of applications launch registered in those or other places for startup:

1. The keys, located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive, are processed earlier than corresponding keys, located in HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive.
2. The content of «RunServices», «RunServicesOnce» system registry keys is processed earlier than values in «Run», «RunOnce» keys.
3. The launch of «RunServices» and «RunServicesOnce» happens before the displaying of user logon dialog box, further goes asynchronously with logon dialog box and can continue after successful registration. The applications, registered in system registry values, located in «RunServices» and «RunServicesOnce» are launched asynchronously, and therefore there can be the situation when they work simultaneously.
4. The launch of applications or documents, as it follows from the very name, registered in «RunOnce» and «RunServicesOnce» keys, happens one time irrespective whether it is successful or not. The value, located in «RunOnce» or «RunServicesOnce» key, is removed before the launch of application, which name it contains.
5. The values, stored in «Run», «RunOnce» keys, are launched synchronously and in indefinite order, but only, when the content of «RunServices» and «RunServicesOnce» finishes loading.

The system registry keys are processed in the following order. At first, the «RunServices» and «RunServicesOnce» content of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive is processed. Further the logon dialog box for user registration in system appears. After this the operating system start processing the «RunOnce» and «Run» keys of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive, further «Run» of HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. The items stored in «StartUp» folder are the next to get launched. After this is the turn of values in «RunOnce» key of HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive.

The list located in «RunServices» and «Run» keys, which automatically startup while Windows boots, can be controlled with the application for the system tuning «MSConfig.exe». If any item form the list is disabled, the «MSConfig.exe» will move this item to «RunServices-» or «Run-» correspondingly.

The «Setup» key, which can be stored in «RunOnce» key both in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive and HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive, is worthy attention. This key is used by either the Windows Setup Wizard or «Add/Remove Programs» Wizard. While working through the values containing in this key, dialog box with the progress bar is displayed. The name of item is used as a name of item in dialog box. Analogously to the content «RunOnce» key, the item of the «RunOnce\Setup» are deleted and launched one time. Another system registry key, which is worthy attention, is «RunOnceEx». I will give the differences in launch for the values located in «RunOnceEx» and «RunOnce» from the launch of values located in system registry key «Run».

The values located in «RunOnceEx» key will not be launched. For the automatic processing the registry sub-key must be created in it and, this sub-key, which is to contain values with applications names. The keys and values located in «RunOnceEx» key are sorted in alphabetical order to force them to definite startup order compulsorily. In other words, the item higher by alphabet would be launched earlier, not depending when it was added to «RunOnceEx» key. The applications or scripts must either finish themselves or not require the definite action for finishing. While one item is not finished either further list processing stops or Windows booting stops waiting for compulsory terminating of the launched application. The separate processes are not created for the applications launched from «RunOnceEx» key in contrast to the «RunOnce» и «Run» keys.

«MSConfig.exe» application for the system tuning does not show the content of the keys «RunOnce», «RunOnceEx», «RunOnce\Setup» and «RunServicesOnce»

Startup features in Windows NT/2000/XP

As an addition to above-listed keys, the another key «Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion \Windows\Run» is specific for Windows versions NT, 2000 and XP, which can be in hives LOCAL_MACHINE or HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

There can be two string values «Load» and «Run» in «Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion \Windows» key, which can store the list of applications for automatic startup.

These values are analogies to values of the same name from the initialisation file «Win.ini». When Windows NT (2000) is installed over Windows 95, 98 the values content from section «[windows]» of «Win.ini» are transferred to the corresponding values of «Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ Windows» key. If several files are registered in the value, their names must be separated with space chars. Therefore the path to file containing the space char can not be written to them, the quotation marks are not accepted. The content «by default» for these values is the space char. The programs, which launched from «Load» value, are minimised during launch.

Startup features in Windows ME/2000/XP

Windows versions has another one list for documents or applications startup, launching after the user registration in the system, which can be located both in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive and HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive. It is stored in string values of «Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Policies\Explorer\Run» key. The names of values for this key have one distinctive feature: they must be represented in the form of ordinal numbers, beginning at «1». The list located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive will be processed before the list of HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive.

Startup while Windows Logon

The separate group Windows Logon for the control over the initialisation during the user registration appears in Windows NT and is developed further by Microsoft for Windows version 2000 and XP. The Winlogon values are located in the system registry in «SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon» key of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive. All the described in the article values, related to Winlogon, have the string type.

Shell value

The «Shell» value standing for the program shell, is present in the system registry branch «Winlogon» in Windows versions NT, 2000 and XP.

This string value determines the list of executable files providing the operating system with the user interface, and which must be launched together with the program shell.

«By default» Windows launches the programs, enlisted in «Userinit» value, located in «Winlogon» branch, and including very «Userinit.exe». If, by any reason, «Winlogon» process could not launch the programs defined in «Userinit» value, then «Winlogon» would directly go to process the executable files, which name are registered in «Shell» value.

The «value by default» of «Shell» can vary. This is «taskman, progman, wowexec» for Windows NT and «Explorer.exe» for Windows 2000, XP.

System value

This value is present in Windows versions NT, 2000 and XP. It contains the list of executable files launched by Winlogon in the system context during the system initialisation. This list can be varied by modification of this value.

The «value by default» is «lsass.exe, spoolss.exe» for Windows NT and «lsass.exe» for Windows 2000, XP. The note by Microsoft given in MSDN is interesting: «This entry appears in the registry, but it is not used by Windows».

VmApplet value

«VmApplet» value launching the «Control Panel» application for the system configuration is specific for Windows versions 2000 и XP.

It stores the list or one executable file, which is launched by Winlogon process to let user to adjust the virtual memory settings, if the system volume misses the paging swap-file. The file extensions for the file name are not obligatory.

The «value by default» for it is «rundll32 shell32, Control_RunDLL "sysdm.cpl"». One must not change the content of this value without need, because it can lead to the change of virtual memory settings in Windows 2000, XP.

Userinit value

«Userinit» (user initialization) is specific for Windows versions NT, 2000 and XP.

The content of this value contains the executables, which are launched by WinLogon process in user context, during the user registration in the system.

«By default» Winlogon launches «Userinit.exe», which is responsible for the launch of program shell, and executes the script files for registration, re-establishes the network connections and then launches the «Explorer.exe».

The «value by default» for «Userinit» is «userinit, nddeagnt.exe» for Windows NT, «userinit» for Windows 2000, XP. «nddeagnt.exe» application is necessary for the NetDDE launch - network dynamic data exchange.

The extensions in file name enumerated in this value are not obligatory.

One may change the content of this value by adding or removing the programs from the list. «Userinit.exe» can be changed to the name of one's own program, not having forgotten to include in application the code for «Userinit.exe» launch, if it is necessary to launch the application before the user interface together with the Windows «explorer» is loaded. Or make much simpler, creating the executable file for batch processing named «userinit.bat» with the list of programs for launch and registering in one of the lines the very «Userinit.exe» file.

P.S. These are administrators, but not hackers, who were addressed with the information, systematised in this article. The official Microsoft documentation contains in such or other form all the knowledge given in the article.

Valient Newman aka Black Prince

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All of these was realised in Activity and Authentication Analyzer

System Policies for the restriction of printers

The article describes the System Policies, which restrict the access to the adjustments, forbids deleting or adding new printers to the system.

While elaborating on the security rules for computer system, the part of rules are dedicated to the printer management. The prohibitions against: settings adjustment, addition or new printers installation are included to management of printers in the framework of security rules. The second, what can be emphasised while creating stricter rules - the access to printers must be under proper supervision to avoid undesirable, on the reason of elementary paper and supplying materials economy, or not authorised, on the reason of conducting confidentiality measures.

As far as I revealed, all the illustrated policies for management of printers can be located in both HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_CURRENT_USER system registry hives and applied to Local Machine or Current User respectively. If the same policy was applied both to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_CURRENT_USER, while conflict exists, the policy with Local Machine range has the priority over the policy with the range of Current User.

All the values have numeric DWORD type. The value equals "1" stands for the active state of the policy, its absence or value "0" cancels the restriction introduced by the system policy.

The last, what I would like to give the accent to in the preface is in order to put for sure into the effect the system policy, Windows must be restarted.

Disable Addition of Printers

The numeric value "NoAddPrinter" located in the branch "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" is responsible for this policy. This system policy prohibits from using the applet Printers from the Control Panel to add new printers to the system.

While attempt to install new printer using Printers folder, the message appears explaining that due to restrictions set by system administrator this action is impossible.

Disable Deletion of Printers

DWORD-value "NoDeletePrinter" stores the state of this system policy, which is created in the branch "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer". This policy prohibits from deleting of printers from the system. Printer can be deleted by selecting the Delete menu item in short-cut menu of the corresponding printer shown in Printers folder in Control Panel. While attempt to delete printer using Printers folder, the message appears explaining that this is impossible due to restrictions introduced by system administrator.

Hide General and Details Pages

This policy can be applied under Windows 95, 98 and ME.

The value "NoPrinterTabs" stores the state of this policy, which must be located in the same "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" branch as above-mentioned system policies. If this policy is enabled, the General and Details pages are hidden in the printer property dialog box, thus protecting from the changing of specific settings. Since the Details page allows manipulating the system settings, therefore there may be the need to remove the access to it for not experienced users.

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The implementation in Activity and Authentication Analyzer

In order to see the state of above-mentioned policies or to manipulate them in Activity and Authentication Analyzer follow in the left navigation pane next way:

Computer Administration then Control Panel, Printers item after this, and find in the right list items corresponding to these policies named:

• Disable Addition of Printers
• Disable Deletion of Printers
• Hide General and Details Pages

System Policies for the restriction of MS-DOS

The article is dedicated to the System Policies destined for the restriction of MS-DOS.

When developing the operating system, the Microsoft Corporation encounters all the time the next dilemma. On the one hand the need to provide with the backward compatibility with the previous operating systems and programs, developed for them, including MS-DOS. On the other hand, the urgent demand to get rid of the very MS-DOS to provide secure and stable functioning, to design operating system with genuine multitasking and correct resource sharing. The literal reading of the abbreviation, which gives the name to system registry key storing the policies destined for the MS-DOS restriction: "WinOldApp" - Windows Old Applications.

Time by time, the administrator faces the need to forbid the users to launch the MS-DOS applications or reboot the computer to the single MS-DOS mode, while conducting the administration of either net client or servers.

I deliver few thoughts to ensure the benefits of the policies, which are resorted to for MS-DOS restriction in Windows systems. The 16-bit Windows applications are unsecured for the safety and stability of the working under Windows systems. While the most of the MS-DOS applications are finely performed simultaneously in the 32-bit Windows environment, some MS-DOS applications demand the monopoly access to the system resources for the performance. The Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) creates the system environment with the exclusive rights, so-called the Single MS-DOS mode. When MS-DOS application is launched in the MS-DOS mode, it is gained the exclusive rights for the system resources and no other applications or processes have any rights to access the system resources. Therefore the MS-DOS applications are also the threat because of the possible capture of the control over the system resources. Besides, the MS-DOS prohibition disables execution of the game programs, designed for MS-DOS, which distract from job, and are often, like other computer games, potential virus containers.

To tell the truth, all above-given argumentation, like the system policies, developed by Microsoft for the MS-DOS restriction are no more than palliation.

Disable MS-DOS Command Prompt

This policy prohibits the MS-DOS Command Prompt usage in Windows or launch of the MS-DOS applications from within the Windows shell.

The numeric value "Disabled" responds for this system policy state, which is stored in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive of the system registry in the "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\WinOldApp" branch. The value "1" enables the restriction for the MS-DOS applications launch, the value "0" or the absence of the value is the default state and removes this prohibition.

While attempting the DOS application launch or "MS-DOS Command Prompt" activation using the icon containing the link to the command interpreter "COMMAND.COM", Windows gives out the message that the administrator prohibits the launch. I do not deliver the literal message text, which is varied depending on the Windows version.

Disable Single Mode MS-DOS Applications

This policy is intended for the prohibition of the Windows reboot to the Single MS-DOS mode. Its state does not affect the usage of MS-DOS Command Prompt in Windows or the MS-DOS applications launch from within the Windows shell.

The state of this system policy is stored in the numeric value "NoRealMode", which is located in the same system registry branch as above-described value: "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\WinOldApp" in the hive HKEY_CURRENT_USER. The value equals to "1" stands for the prohibition of the MS-DOS launch in the Single mode. The value "0", which is default state, or its absence removes the prohibition of the Single MS-DOS mode.

When this policy is enabled in Windows 95/98 the menu item "Restart in MS-DOS mode" is removed from the "Shut Down" dialog box. However, it must be noted here, that this does not prohibit entirely the MS-DOS launch in the Single mode. The Single MS-DOS mode can be entered, while Windows booting by clicking F8 key and than selecting any item, which contains the "Command Prompt".

In Windows ME and later this value can be stored in the system registry in two hives: HKEY_CURRENT_USER and in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive, and spreads the scope either on the Local Machine or Current User respectively. There is no conflict between the policies having the different scopes: any policy disables the Single MS-DOS mode.

Another attempt to get rid of MS-DOS was undertaken in Windows ME - the menu item "Restart in MS-DOS mode" was removed from the "Shut Down" dialog box in a difference from the Windows 9.x. However, it inherits a lot o interface from the previous versions. That is why, the policy "Disable Single Mode MS-DOS Applications" applied on the Local Machine is used to remove some unnecessary elements. If deleting the value from the system registry has disabled this policy, there will be an interesting effect: the menu item "Restart in MS-DOS mode" will appear in the "Shut Down" dialog box. But an attempt to reboot to MS-DOS gives nothing; there will be the message explaining that this version of Windows does not support the MS-DOS mode.

In order to see the state of above-mentioned policies or to manipulate them in Activity and Authentication Analyzer follow in the left navigation pane next way:

Computer Administration then MS DOS and find in the right list items corresponding to these policies named:

• Disable MS-DOS Command Prompt
• Disable Single Mode MS-DOS Applications

Keyboard shortcuts with Windows Logo

The article tells about hotkeys with "Windows Logo" key and about not documented system policy disabling the shotcut keys with "Windows Logo" processing.

Microsoft corporation simultaneously with software developement confidently designs and sells the computer accessories, like mice and keyboards, and pushes with them the standards, which it embeds to the own operating system Windows.
The article tells about the key with the Windows logotype - "Windows Logo". It is located left-hand between the "Ctrl" and "Alt" keys and duplicated right-hand of spacebar and right "Alt".
To be brief, I give two tables with hotkeys combinations with Windows Logo key. The description terminology will be simplified at maximum. The first table contains the shortcut keys list with so-called "Microsoft Natural Keyboard", the second one contains the additional hotkeys list, which are accessible with installed "IntelliType Software". I note, that these lists are not complete and may vary depending on the Windows version. If the given shortcut key is supported in Windows CE operating system, the appropriate remark will be given.

Microsoft Natural Keyboard keys

Keys combination	Description
Windows Logo	Taskbar activation, setting the focus on "Start" button and setting "Start" button to the pressed state.
Windows Logo+F1	Browser dialog box opening with Help Topics for the main Windows Help file.
Windows Logo+TAB	Activation of the next running application on the Taskbar. Cycle through taskbar applications on the Taskbar.
CTRL+Windows Logo+TAB	Focus movement from "Start" button, to the "Quick Launch" toolbar and the "System tray"! After the focus entered the "Quick Launch" toolbar or the "System tray" one can use the "Right Arrow" or "Left Arrow" cursor keys to switch among the icons of the located there applications. This is rare option to gain the access to the applications located on the System tray with help of the only keyboard.
Windows Logo+E	Launch of the "Windows Explorer" in "Explore My Computer" mode. Supported in Windows CE.
Windows Logo+R	"Run" dialog box opening. There is the support in the Windows CE.
Windows Logo+F	Start of the "Find files or folders" dialog box opening.
Windows Logo+CTRL+F	Start of the "Find computer" dialog box opening.
Windows Logo+M	All open windows minimization. Supported in Windows CE.
SHIFT+Windows Logo+M	Undo all open windows minimization.
Windows Logo+D	All open windows minimization. In distinction with "Windows Logo+M" command this hotkey minimizes also the dialog boxes. This shortcut key is equivalent the "Show Desktop" command.
Windows Logo+BREAK	Activation of the "System Properties" dialog box activation ("Control Panel" applet which stands for the system settings).

Microsoft Natural Keyboard with IntelliType Software Installed

Keys combination	Description
Windows Logo+L	Log off Windows
Windows Logo+P	"Print Manager" launch.
Windows Logo+C	"Control Panel" opening. Supported in Windows CE.
Windows Logo+V	Start of the Clipboard viewer.
Windows Logo+K	"Keyboard Properties" dialog box opening. Supported in Windows CE.
Windows Logo+I	"Mouse Properties" dialog box opening. There is the support in the Windows CE.
Windows Logo+A	Start of the "Accessibility Options" dialog box, if installed.
Windows Logo+SPACEBAR	Display of the list of "Microsoft IntelliType" shortcut keys. Supported in Windows CE.
Windows Logo+S	Toggle "CAPS LOCK" state.

Windows Logo hotkeys disabling

In the end of the article I describe not documented system policy, disabling the use of Windows shortcuts, which is valid in Windows 9.x, Millenium, 2000 and XP.
This system policy blocks the "Windows Logo" processing in shortcut keys. However, after this policy is enabled, the single "Windows Logo" keystroke, which calls the "Start" menu, will be processed. It is necessary to emphasize, that when this policy is enabled, the "Windows Logo" keystroke in shortcuts key combination will be ignored, other keystrokes will be processed as usual.
To enable the policy the DWORD-type parameter "NoWinKeys" must be created in following system registry branch: "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" and its value must be set to 1. Putting "NoWinKeys" parameter to 0 or its absence disables the policy.
This parameter can be stored either in the hive HKEY_CURRENT_USER, or in the hive HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and have the appliance scope either on the entire "Computer" (Local Machine), or on "Current User" respectively.
The policy having Computer scope, stored in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive of the system registry has priority over the policy stored in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive and having the "Current User" scope.

Valient Newman

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This was realised in Activity and Authentication Analyzer