A number of GiftWorks users have asked if GiftWorks can run as a Windows XP Limited User.   The Limited User was created to allow a computer administrator to prevent other users from doing potentially dangerous and destructive things (purposefully or accidentally) to the computer.  More information about the Limited User can be found here.  A more comprehensive look at Windows XP accounts and security principles can be found here.

GiftWorks relies on a number of permissions being set properly to function properly.  If these permissions are not set properly or the user does does have right to do certain tasks, GiftWorks may experience errors while trying to do a variety of tasks.  By design, a Limited User does not have sufficient rights to install GiftWorks.

I have spoke with a number of users who have tried to install GiftWorks using an administrative account (like Administrator) and then run GiftWorks using a Limited User account.  The results from this approach seem to be mixed.

The most reliable method to run GiftWorks as a Limited User is to:

1. Use an administrator account to change the role of the Limited user account to an Administrator account.  In the Control Panel, the User Accounts option will alow you to access the user list.  In this example, the Limited user account "Steve" is being changed to a Computer administrator account type.
   
   
2. After changing the account type to Computer administrator, log out of the administrator account and log in to the "Steve" account.  After logging into the "Steve" account, verify the account is a computer administrator.  Be sure to log out and log in...do not just "switch users".
3. Install GiftWorks using the "Steve" account.
4. Verify that GiftWorks functions properly by signing in and performing some basic functions.
5. After verifying that GiftWorks is working properly, log out of the "Steve" account, log into an Administrator account, and change the "Steve" account type back to a Limited user account type.
6. Log back into the "Steve" account and re-verify that GiftWorks is functioning properly.
   
   

Note:  For Windows XP Home or Pro users, these instructions should work well.  If you are a Windows XP Pro user on a domain, these instructions may need to be modified.  Remember that a Limited Account type is the same as the Users group.  This may help when trying to set the role type properly.

This should allow you to run GiftWorks as a Limited User.  If you have any problems, get in contact GiftWorks Support at support@missionresearch.com.