Did you know that you can actually specify times for users to use the computer? This feature is actually there in XP but can only be accessed by Command Prompt. There is no GUI for it.

But in Longhorn, I have seen there is a GUI in User Accounts.

If your child is playing games in the computer 24 * 7 and is not doing any school work, then as a parent this feature will be ideal for you. :D

Luckily, it is very easy to do this in Command Prompt.

Here is an example:

Say you have a user called Mike.
You want him only to use the computer from 3PM (15 hrs) to 6PM (18 hrs) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

You go to Command Prompt and type the following:
or
Easy isn't it?

If you want to reset the times:
If you want him not to do the computer at all:
For more info, search for net user in Help & Support in Windows XP.
There are restrictions in Net User command. You have to give the times in exact hours and you cannot use Minutes or Seconds.

I have also attached a very small tool which can automate this process.
However, you will need Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 in order to use it.
Enjoy! :)

P.S: Microsoft® will wait another four or five years and finalize the GUI for it and emphasize that feature as a new feature in Longhorn. :P

A more recent build is attached in the second post.

Hey ~*McoreD*~,

This is something I could sure use when my mother wants me to disactivate my little brother's computer if he doesn't do his homework, or study... :devil2:

So the info you have stated does what actually? Does it just prevent the user from sigining into their account, or prevents the user from accessing an internet connection, or both?

Will this only work for those accounts which are set up as limited users?

Please let me know! :)

Thanks,
-SlickVic78

Hi there SlickVic78,

This Net User command completely disables your target user account from accessing it. :)

I guess Microsoft® haven't included all the necessary code for Net User related events in Windows XP. So you won't get any MsgBoxes or anything to let to know what's happening. I am pretty sure Longhorn will have the complete event handling for this procedure.

For now, all Windows XP can do is, just prevent the user from logging in between those restricted times. It will say: The password is wrong. (Stupid Windows XP :lol:).

This works for all the Account Types in Windows XP. :)
...I guess Windows 2000 too.

Cheers,
McoreD

P.S:
Here is updated version. Fixed some minor issues. Sorry. :D

Hey ~*McoreD*~,

This is an awesome feature to know of. Thanks for sharing... I am sure I'll be using this in the very near future... :D

-SlickVic78

Funny, my friend pulled that on me one time. But I'm good so, no problem.

What I do is lock the entire computer in the bios. Let someone figure that out. And make sure they cant falsh the bios or use linux boot disks for example.

But yea I agree good way to get kids to do their real homework insteading of just missing around.

So now when my brother complains about not having enough time to do is homework I know right off the bat hes full of shit. lol