14 DAY TRIAL // The default security settings in Windows are adjusted so that they fit the needs of the majority of users. For the daredevils that wish a different configuration there is True System Security Tweaker, a huge compilation of options that let you turn on or off security knobs in Windows in an easy manner.
The real potential in Windows as far as customization options are concerned is definitely not attained by the default configuration. This is enough reason to spur a reaction from third party developers that offer products that allow you to tweak Microsoft’s OS to your needs.
True System Security Tweaker does not require installation on the system as it is portable. It works on all Windows systems, XP onwards. The interface is a familiar ground as it is inspired from the simplicity of Windows Explorer. All the menus are available in the side screen on the left while the settings they encompass are displayed in the right.
The application comprises an impressive set of more than 470 options organized in two main categories: User Restrictions and Windows Common Restrictions. The former is further split into more sub-menus targeting security options for the Control Panel, the desktop, file system, network, Windows software, Start menu and taskbar as well as restrictions applied to user folders.
As far the overall Windows restrictions are concerned, True System Security Tweaker lets you set up the way login and authentication is performed, provides the means to confine network-related possibilities or enforce software-related limitations.
As overwhelming as the entire list can seem, not all the security settings the application puts at your disposal apply to your operating system. Unfortunately, having all the options affecting all Windows system supported by the app bundled in the same pot, without any distinction between them, makes working with True System Security Tweaker a bit confusing.
Some of the configuration areas it refers to have been kicked out in the latest versions of Windows (such as Active Desktop present only in pre-Vista OSs). Or the applets in the newer editions feature different options which remain unaffected by the modifications in True System Security Tweaker (“Turn Windows features on or off” in Vista and 7 versus “Add/Remove Windows Components” in XP).
What is missing in the application is presenting all the entries in a clear manner with regards to the operating systems they affect. As it is now, users lacking solid knowledge of the changes adopted in the latest operating systems will not be able to fully benefit from the advantages offered by this OS tweaking product.
One very useful option, which usually requires more clicks if applied from Windows directly, is preventing users from running specific applications, or limiting them to using only certain programs on the system. Generally this is regulated through Group Policy, but True System Security Tweaker offers a much more comfortable way.
Simply create a list with the executable files the users are allowed or restricted to use and apply the rule. A restart later (the program does not prompt for this action for the changes to take effect) and the system will enforce the new measures.
Still on the upside, all the entries in True System Security Tweaker benefit from a brief description. Despite the fact that sometimes this is not more revealing about the effects of the option than the name of the option itself, in some cases these tips can make a difference. For instance, we noticed two settings having the exact same name (“Disable the Network Connection Wizard”) under “Network” submenu of User Restrictions. However, the brief description displayed upon selecting them made it clear that one option actually referred to restricting access to properties of public RAS connections.
The application is truly impressive through the large number of settings it offers at a simple click. It definitely represents a shortcut to doing the job in Windows directly, but it also lacks some organization of the features so that the user knows exactly which option affects which operating system. This way it will appeal to a larger number of users.
All the tweaks can be applied at once, with a single click of a button from the File menu in the upper part of the application window. Reverting the process and returning to the initial configuration of the system is also possible in the same easy way as the program features an “Undo all tweaks” button under “Edit” menu.
However, in some cases the effect is not be visible on the spot and a restart of either explorer.exe or of the entire system is required. The user will not be prompted for this action at any time, though.
Users can set up restrictions for software usage with the least effort possible. The possibilities in tweaking the operating system are immense, as the settings affect a significant portion of Windows areas (file system, network, system, Start menu, taskbar, login and authentication, the desktop, etc.). It provides an easy way to revert all the set up to the default configuration at any time you require. The application applies your settings but does not alert you that a system restart is required for them to take effect. The application encompasses more than 470 tweaks covering both restrictions for the entire system as well limitations imposed to users. You can revert to the default configuration at any times, with the greatest ease.
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