School Doesn't allow desktop icons

[Slinky0]

Hi,

 

I purchased a laptop of my school to use for lessons, but the laptop doesn't allow desktop icons. There is a desktop directory in Windows Explorer, but no icons on the desktop. I also cannot right click on my desktop.
Is there a way to enable icons?

[byalexandr]

Sounds like an issue with WIndows itself, I'm not sure I've ever heard of locking the desktop like that.

[Slinky0]

3 minutes ago, byalexandr said:

Sounds like an issue with WIndows itself, I'm not sure I've ever heard of locking the desktop like that.

It's definitely deliberately disabled somehow by the school, the disable of icons occurs on all of the school's purchasable laptops.

[Straudz]

thats stupid

[byalexandr]

8 minutes ago, Slinky0 said:

It's definitely deliberately disabled somehow by the school, the disable of icons occurs on all of the school's purchasable laptops.

Ask the administrator to unlock it for you, there's nothing else you can do if you're not the one with full control over the PC. That or wipe the drive and reinstall Windows.

[Slinky0]

2 minutes ago, byalexandr said:

Ask the administrator to unlock it for you, there's nothing else you can do if you're not the one with full control over the PC. That or wipe the drive and reinstall Windows.

Actually, the accounts page in Windows 8.1 settings claims that I have administrator privileges, but somehow the school places restrictions somehow.  

[samiscool51]

schools will do things to ensure the students are doing what they are told to do for work

an old school i went to banned media files eg. .mp3 .mp4 ect

you can ask your admin to unlock it for you but he might not want to do it

[legoset0]

It is restricted using group policy. If it is a state school you will not be able to get it unlocked as the IT administrator is not allowed to do this as it is controlled statewide. 

[WkdPaul]

Can you open the Group Policy??

 

Windows key +R

In the "Run" window, type "gpedit.msc" without the quotes

 

After that there are a few ways to prevent change to the desktop. Let me know if you have access to Group Policy (gpedit.msc)

[Slinky0]

2 minutes ago, wkdpaul said:

Can you open the Group Policy??

 

Windows key +R

In the "Run" window, type "gpedit.msc" without the quotes

 

After that there are a few ways to prevent change to the desktop. Let me know if you have access to Group Policy (gpedit.msc)

No, Win + R doesn't work and neither does finding run through search or right clicking on windows logo in bottom left. Is there some way I can open run through a batch file?

 

[WkdPaul]

9 hours ago, Slinky0 said:

No, Win + R doesn't work and neither does finding run through search or right clicking on windows logo in bottom left. Is there some way I can open run through a batch file?

 

 

Disclaimer; if this is a PC that is FOR school then the local admin account might be as good as a regular user account.

 

If it's a PC that was bought from the school but isn't used at school, then I would just bring it back and ask that they remove the restrictions.

 

 

If it's not locked, then yes you should be able to open gpedit through a batch file ...

 

You can also open the run dialog box through the task manager.

[Slinky0]

10 hours ago, wkdpaul said:

 

Disclaimer; if this is a PC that is FOR school then the local admin account might be as good as a regular user account.

 

If it's a PC that was bought from the school but isn't used at school, then I would just bring it back and ask that they remove the restrictions.

 

 

If it's not locked, then yes you should be able to open gpedit through a batch file ...

 

You can also open the run dialog box through the task manager.

How exactly can I open run using using the Task Manager or batch file??

[Slinky0]

21 hours ago, wkdpaul said:

Can you open the Group Policy??

 

Windows key +R

In the "Run" window, type "gpedit.msc" without the quotes

 

After that there are a few ways to prevent change to the desktop. Let me know if you have access to Group Policy (gpedit.msc)

So I opened Run, and was able to run gpedit.msc, but when I open it displays "MMC could not create the snap-in.", "MMC could not create the snap-in because of current user policies", "Name: Group Policy Object Editor", and displays a CLSID.