Use AppLocker to lock down programs

If you have a child using your PC, or you simply want to put tighter controls on a computer that’s being used by multiple folks, locking down certain applications may be a smart idea. This ensures that no one is going to tinker with settings on those programs or use any apps that you don’t want them to. If you happen to be running Windows 7 Ultimate, a service within this version of the OS, AppLocker, lets you specify exactly which applications a user is allowed to run. (You can create these guidelines, but not enforce them on that PC, in Windows 7 Professional.)

To access AppLocker, click the Start menu, type the text Gpedit.msc in the search field, and hit Enter. In the Local Group Policy Editor window that pops up, double-click on Computer Configuration and navigate to Windows Settings > Security Settings > Application Control Policies. Unfold the Application Control Policies menu (click the little triangle to its left) and select AppLocker.
Here, you can create new Executable Rules, Windows Installer Rules, and Script Rules. In the left-hand column, right-click on the category that you wish to make changes to, and click Create New Rule. A wizard will lead you through the process of creating the new rule.
For the purposes of our example, if you want to deny a user access to Firefox, right-click on Executable Rules, then select Create New Rule:
 

 
Go to the second screen, and under Action, click Deny, then select the user you are targeting. In the next screen, you must determine whether it is a file, folder, or program you are going to control access to. Since we are targeting Firefox, choose Publisher, since it is an application. Navigate through your Program Files to the Mozilla Firefox folder, and inside that folder, choose firefox.exe. Click OK, go to the next screen to name the rule, if desired, and then Create, and you’re done.

How to Create and Use a Recovery Drive or System Repair Disc in Windows 8

Windows 8 allows you to create a recovery drive (USB) or system repair disc (CD or DVD) that can be used to troubleshoot and restore your computer. Each type of recovery media gives you access to Windows’ advanced startup options.
You can also copy your computer’s recovery partition to the drive, creating a backup copy. After you create the backup copy, Windows will allow you to remove the recovery partition from your computer, freeing up gigabytes of space.

Creating a Recovery Drive (USB)

To open the recovery drive creation tool, press the Windows key and type recovery drive. Click or tap the Settings category and launch the Create a recovery drive application.

The Recovery Media Creator opens on your desktop. If your computer came with a recovery partition, you can copy it to the recovery drive. Of course, this will use much more space, so you’ll need a large enough USB drive. After copying the recovery partition, Windows will ask you if you want to delete the recovery partition on the hard drive. On the Surface with Windows RT, Microsoft claims that this can save you about 3.5 GB of hard disk space.

Click the Next option and you’ll be prompted to select a connected USB drive. Click the Create button and the files will by copied to your USB drive.

After the process is complete, you’ll be asked if you want to delete the recovery partition. If you do delete the recovery partition, you’ll need the drive to Refresh and Reset your PC in the future.

Creating a System Repair Disc (CD/DVD)

The ability to create a USB recovery drive is new in Windows 8. In Windows 7, only system repair discs were supported. This option is also present in Windows 8.
To open the disc creation tool, press the Windows key, type recdisc, and press Enter.

The disc creator will open on the desktop. Select the disc-burner drive with a writable CD or DVD in it and click the Create disc button to create a recovery disc.

Using a Recovery Drive or System Repair Disc

A recovery drive will normally not be necessary. If your computer fails to boot several times, Windows 8 will automatically bring up the advanced startup options, which allows you to troubleshoot and fix it.
If Windows can’t even bring up these tools, you’ll need the recovery drive, system repair disc, or a Windows 8 installation disc. Insert the recovery media into your computer and restart. Your computer should boot from the recovery media automatically. (If it doesn’t, you may need to change its boot order.)

Once it’s booted from the recovery media, you’ll see options for troubleshooting and repairing your PC. You can refresh and reset your PC or access advanced options to use system restore, recover from a system image, or automatically repair your computer. You can even get a command prompt that will allow you to fix problems by hand.

If your computer can’t boot, you should try the Automatic repair or System Restore options. Refreshing or resetting your PC should always fix the problem, too.