Limited Users Unable to Access PowerChurch Plus in Windows XP

As a security feature in Windows XP, computer administrators can create accounts with limited abilities to install software and make modifications to the operating system and other applications. These accounts are known as “limited users” within Windows XP. When limited user access is applied in conjunction with NTFS security permissions, they can restrict or deny access to local directories and files, based upon user permissions.

On stand alone Windows XP computers, limited users will run into difficulties when accessing PowerChurch Plus. These problems are due to the restrictions placed on limited user accounts, which do not allow updates or changes to the data files within PowerChurch Plus. When trying to open PowerChurch or save information within the program, user with limited access may receive a message similar to the following:

The security features in Windows XP are designed to prevent damaging changes to the operating system or computer, but can cause problems when using an application (like PowerChurch Plus) that is constantly updating database files. Unfortunately, the security settings applied to limited user accounts will keep those users from accessing PowerChurch Plus.

Please note that this will only affect local Windows XP users. Network users accessing PowerChurch Plus on a remote Windows XP computer will be unaffected, providing that these network users have full access to the PowerChurch Plus folder.

In order for users to access and make changes to the data in PowerChurch Plus, you will need to update the permissions of the local program directory. You can do this by doing the following:

Click the Start button and choose Run.

Type "cmd" and click OK.

Enter the following command exactly as it appears below, replacing the default path, (C:PowerChurchPCPLUS9) if necessary, with your PowerChurch program directory.

cacls C:\PowerChurch\PCPLUS9 /E /T /G BUILTIN\Users:C

You will then see a list of files and folders scroll on the screen as their permissions are updated. Your Windows XP limited users should now be able to login and function normally in PowerChurch Plus.

If you continue to experience problems contact our office at (800) 486-1800 or support@powerchurch.com.

For more information on modifying user accounts or for information on NTFS security permissions, please refer to your Microsoft Windows XP documentation.