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I am using Windows 7 Ultimate with some user credentials on a single computer. I want to prevent some users from accessing sites other than *.stackexchange.com and stackoverflow.com. How to do this without installing an additional software from 3rd party?

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Are the computers part of a Microsoft domain? – KCotreau Jul 12 '11 at 4:53
@KCotreau: No, my computer is directly connected to ISP. – xport Jul 12 '11 at 4:56
The term you're looking for is "white-list" (ie. limit activity to a specific list). – Richard Jul 12 '11 at 9:17
Are you really blocking them from everything except Stack Exchange or is this just your example? XD – Shinrai Jul 12 '11 at 14:40
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@Shinrai: Yes. Only SE and SO are allowed in my house. :-) – xport Jul 12 '11 at 14:42
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2 Answers

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OK, I figured out a way. Most people do this by editing the HOSTS file, but that would limit not one user, but all of them. On the other hand, proxy settings are by user.

So for Internet Explorer, go to Tools>Internet Options>Connections>LAN Settings and check "Use a proxy server for your LAN", and set it to 127.0.0.1 port 80, then click advanced, and add only the sites you want them to access (I would leave out the www, and just use the domain itself, separated by semi-colons for multiple domains). Please note that you may need to add any sites that the site you want to use accesses to work.

Also note this is very easy to change if they are local administrators.

I tested this with Windows 7 Ultimate, and it works.

enter image description here

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I tried the same for Firefox, but it does not have an exceptions list, so I don't think it can be done if that is the browser you want to use. – KCotreau Jul 12 '11 at 5:26
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Take a look at Windows 7 Parental Controls. It should allow you o control web site access for users other than administrator.

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This answer is incorrect. I just looked at this feature for the first time. It cannot limit by site. It only limits by time, by application and by game rating. As a note: This feature/tool is also disabled if the computer is part of a domain. – KCotreau Jul 12 '11 at 5:07
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