DOCUMENT:Q182439 09-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :How to Disable Start\Help PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= Through the use of policies, much of the desktop can be restricted. However, currently there is no way to disable the Start\Help setting through a system policy. This article will describe some methods to disable the Start\Help utility. MORE INFORMATION ================ The file opened by Winhlp32.exe when Start\Help is clicked is %SystemRoot%\System32\Windows.hlp. If you rename this file, a dialog box is displayed when the file cannot be found, a different dialog box will be displayed if you copy an invalid file to that location. Method 1 -------- A better resolution is to include a trivial help file. Such a help file is included in the Zero Administration Kit files. It is called Zak.hlp. If this file is renamed to Windows.hlp in the System32 directory, the following text will be displayed when Start\Help is clicked: Help Topics: Zero Administration Kit Help The only topic on which you can get help is "ZAK Help." Double-clicking this topic results in the following message: Zero Administration Kit Message The standard Windows NT 4.0 online Help has been disabled by your administrator. Method 2 -------- If the drive the help file is stored on is NTFS, you may also restrict access to the file using permissions. 1. Select the file (Windows.hlp) in Explorer. 2. Edit the properties of the file. 3. Select the security tab. 4. Select the permissions button. 5. Set permissions to restrict the users who should not be able to run the help file. Restricting the help file with permissions may cause user complaints, though. When the restricted file is clicked, nothing happens. REFERENCES ========== More information, as well as the Zak.hlp file can be obtained from Microsoft's Web Site at the following address: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/zak/default.htm Additional query words: remove start menu ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : winnt:4.0 Hardware : ALPHA x86 Issue type : kbhowto ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.