ok so trying to figure out my torrent problems I see I have all kinds of crap on my PC, stuff my kids installed I'm sure. so what I want to know is how I can block any new installs without a password in windows. of course I have done a google but all I come up with is an admin password on boot, and from the screensaver and such.

This procedure will disable some installs.

Start, Run, gpedit.msc

Open User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Installer

Disable media source for any install - change to Enabled

Also read the note there - admins can install more stuff than normal users. You are probably logged on as an admin.

Note: gpedit only works on XP Pro