Restrict users from hiding folders

[Kamrud]

I administer about 20 computers in a high school setting and my students keep creating folders and putting music and other memory consuming items in the folders and then hiding the folders. Now, they are all running windows 7 professional and are not connected to a server.
I know I can just go to file options and choose show hidden but I would just like to remove the student's rights to change any folder to hidden.
I am open to any means of accomplishing this; be it removing the same rights for everyone that logs into the computer, editing the Registry, or GPO.
I would prefer the attributes section of the general tab just be grayed out but I can handle having to hide the entire general tab as well.
Any help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

BTW the students are standard users

 

[boosted1g]

A quick simple google search shows that there is no way to restrict the creation of hidden folders, there is ways though to force all hidden folders to stay viewable.
The very first result from google for "group policy prevent users hidden folders" shows Microsoft's response on this and how to force hidden folders to be viewable.

Another thread solved by the first result in google.

 

[Kamrud]

How about removing the general tab or restricting going to the properties of a folder all together?

 

[boosted1g]

Yes you can disable folder options in gpedit

It really seems like you have made absolutely zero effort at all to find any of this information aside from asking us to literally do your job for you that you are getting paid to do. There are many low-medium level IT employees that come on here asking for advice on something outside the scope of their knowledge but they at least took the effort to do some research.

I dont mean to be rude but this is certainly frank. We are here to help people, but we at least expect that the thread poster has made some even minimal effort to obtain/research the question or problem. I can take your own words "restricting folder properties windows 7" and google the answer.

 

[Kamrud]

You say I can disable folder options; yes, I have found that option in the GPO and it only prevents users from going to folder options via control panel or tools and then folder options, not right click and then properties of folders. I don't want to have all hidden folders viewable; that does not solve my issue.

Just because the first website that pops up on google tells me I can't do something does not mean it cannot be done. I also had students that would customize the folder so that it was a clear picture and then give it a name of a period so it was hard to notice. My initial google search found nothing and about 10-20 minutes into research I found Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer and then NoCustomizeThisFolder. Set it to 1 and it is working like a charm.

You assume I have done no research and then call me lazy for it on top of it. I do not get paid extra to run these computers, in fact I am a teacher in South Dakota (the lowest paid state in the country for educators) that was given tech duties (as assigned) because I have a technology background and our school cannot afford to pay a true tech. I teach 5 classes on top of imaging and keeping our computers running and up to date. Outside the scope of my knowledge: absolutely, My apologies for asking for help when I am in over my head.

 

[boosted1g]

I apologize for misreading what you wanted and thus thinking it was the first hit in google, and that you did no work at all to figure out the problem.

However you yourself said that after 10-20 min of research you found the registry change for your solution.

It is unfortunate that your school is not giving you the tools to properly do the job, they are expecting you to rebuild an engine with a flathead screwdriver, pliers and duck tape. You need windows server running active directory to have a fighting change of managing security policies against students, not to mention proper firewalls and a staff of more then just 1 person doing it on-top of their job.
FYI my wife is an elementary teacher as well (and in Arizona which is another bottom of the funding list state) so I can sympathize with the extreme corner cutting by schools.

 

[Kamrud]

Thank You