Restricting access to some applications for normal users (Education)

[JreJRe]

Hi,

I intent to replace windows on "old" laptops in my school.
I have tested on one laptop installation of Zorin 17.1 education and created a separate user account beside the administrator account: It worked beautifully.

Now my question: how to restrict access for a normal user only to (say as example) Libre Office application and not game or system etc...

[0Picass0]

Take a look here:

Education - Zorin OS

Also, it might be a good idea to mention Zorin Education in the title, as most users use Core or Lite.

[swarfendor437]

There was another forum member on here who was already doing that where they have a mix of Windows and Macs etc.
You will need to use the built in software to restrict access to internet apps possibly which I covered in the unofficial manual for Zorin 17 Core

The other item you will need to change is Firefox to Firefox ESR as it is the only version that allows you to lock it down.

[zabadabadoo]

@0Picass0

Also, it might be a god idea to mention Zorin Education in the title, as most users use Core or Lite.

I have amended title to add "(Education)". JreJRe has also indicated "Education" edition in their forum profile. So full marks there.

@swarfendor437

There was another forum member on here who was already doing that

This post may be of interest, Help with setting up Zorin OS lite education for a classroom
But I remember another user trying to lock down Zorin PC's for classroom use. I will post another link if I find it.
Here is another thread that may be of interest: Education - One-Shot script to Set up Automatic Student Drive Mapping + More
But it is still not the one I was thinking of.

[JreJRe]

Hi, Thank you all for your time.
To clarify my request: there will be in first instance only two users (the admin and the student)
I like to completely isolate the user student from any access besides a few applications (libreoffice, Scratch, arduino, firefox).
and certainly NO access to game, system tools and so on
Would Zorin 17.1 education qualify?

[JreJRe]

Hi zabadabado

it looks like How to Create Restricted Guest Account in Ubuntu 24.04/22.04 | UbuntuHandbook may help mea actually addressing my need: but now I am becoming rather sceptical.
I do like Zorin 17.1 education and I suggest the parental control being develop further to exclude more applications and system access exclusion
rgds

[swarfendor437]

The software allows you to add additional apps to be excluded.

Parental Control Setup in Zorin 17 core

OK found this useful article on how to get this application up and running: Open a Terminal and enter: malcontent-control I have removed access to Firefox so it does not show in Child Account. [image] [image] If internet is needed (homework) either supervise on your account or let them use Firefox and use something like OpenDNS - there is a free one but have become more commercial - you do get whitelists and blacklists with OpenDNS.

You could also remove apps that ate included in Zorin Education that are not relevant, then take a snapshot of the system once altered as a Timeshift snapshot, Install Zorin Education plus Timeshift on the two machines, then use Timeshift to "restore" the machines to the snapshot.

[swarfendor437]

Yes, that was the link I was looking for. Great job.

[JreJRe]

Hi, I made some progress and normal user or guest as it is named in some post has still access to game and system tools icon.
I guess access to icon games is managed by Zorin-menu is it?