Disable Safe mode on Windows 7
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Does anyone know of a way to disable safe mode on Windows 7? I used to do this on XP by deleting the SafeBoot registry key, but Windows 7 does not allow doing this without running a bootable registry editor (editing the registry from outside of Windows). We need to do this because our machines are going to operate in kiosk mode and will not be allowed to be changed by our customers. Thanks!
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Does anyone know of a way to disable safe mode on Windows 7? I used to do this on XP by deleting the SafeBoot registry key, but Windows 7 does not allow doing this without running a bootable registry editor (editing the registry from outside of Windows). We need to do this because our machines are going to operate in kiosk mode and will not be allowed to be changed by our customers. Thanks!
I came across a third party tool that disables safe mode, is that an option? (I'll post the link if you like) What exactly is the problem when users boot into safe mode? They shouldn't be able to do anything without the administrator password. Also, have you already tried Windows Steady State? (may not support Windows 7 yet, I think it works with XP and Vista). It is supposed to make kiosks easier to implement... http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess[^]
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I came across a third party tool that disables safe mode, is that an option? (I'll post the link if you like) What exactly is the problem when users boot into safe mode? They shouldn't be able to do anything without the administrator password. Also, have you already tried Windows Steady State? (may not support Windows 7 yet, I think it works with XP and Vista). It is supposed to make kiosks easier to implement... http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess[^]
Thanks for the information. I would like to take a look at the 3rd party tool. If it is NoSafeMode, I have looked at it. The reason I need to disable f8 at the boot is because our machines are going to be used in a gambling environment, and we cannot allow any easy way to get into them. They are going to be using off the shelf PCs running any flavor of Windows 7 that they might come with, so this needs to work for all of them, including Starter. It is for this reason, that Steady State won't work for us. Everything needs to be disabled, and not easily undone (basically requiring a disk wipe and windows reinstall is the only way). We already are locking the machines against the windows shortcuts, getting rid of explorer.exe as the shell, disabling USB ports, SD card slots, etc. I do have an MSDN subscription, so I may end up contacting Microsoft about this one if I can't find a reasonable solution on my own. Thanks, David
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Thanks for the information. I would like to take a look at the 3rd party tool. If it is NoSafeMode, I have looked at it. The reason I need to disable f8 at the boot is because our machines are going to be used in a gambling environment, and we cannot allow any easy way to get into them. They are going to be using off the shelf PCs running any flavor of Windows 7 that they might come with, so this needs to work for all of them, including Starter. It is for this reason, that Steady State won't work for us. Everything needs to be disabled, and not easily undone (basically requiring a disk wipe and windows reinstall is the only way). We already are locking the machines against the windows shortcuts, getting rid of explorer.exe as the shell, disabling USB ports, SD card slots, etc. I do have an MSDN subscription, so I may end up contacting Microsoft about this one if I can't find a reasonable solution on my own. Thanks, David
Sorry, it is NoSafeMode (that seems to be the only one around) Then there is this round-about way given here, of disabling the keyboard during boot http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2009/04/30/disable-f8-key-to-block-access-to-safe-mode-during-windows-startup/[^] (I don't really recommend this, though) Here's another link you may find useful, on how to force log-in to one particular account http://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-setup-windows-vista-and-7-as-a-kiosk/[^] It may be easier to avoid Windows 7 altogether though...