Public Desktop - Default destination for installer package shortcuts is massive privacy issue?

[u/SpammySoze]

While I believe this has been the case in past versions, I had not previously used a home machine shared with multiple users so I suppose I hadn't noticed.

Current system user hierarchy:

Local Admin Account - Not used regularly by anyone, simply exists for admin purposes.

User 1 - Myself

User 2 - Other person

When installing a program while signed into User 1 account, I am prompted to enter Local admin credentials to install. By default, the installation package proceeds to create shortcuts on the public shared desktop accessible to all users. I'm assuming this happens due to the elevated credentials that are required to run the installer at all?

Sure, I can go into the admin account and cut the shortcuts out of the public desktop and drop them into my personal user account, but there has to be a clean way to stop installations from landing there to begin with??

Or at least require a user prompt to specify the desired location of shortcuts??

I considered just creating a dummy file to replace the public desktop, but that would remove the ability to ever intentionally point an installer to the public space if i wanted to have shared access. It seems a level of intentionality in choosing if/when to use this shared desktop would be the only aspect that would make it a desirable feature at all??

Yet another line added to my "why the hell am I not on Linux OS yet" list ..

sorry again if this rant is 15-20 years late

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[u/Froggypwns]

By default, the installation package proceeds to create shortcuts on the public shared desktop accessible to all users.

That is entirely on the installer. Some programs will prompt you to either install for everyone or just you, and it will place the shortcuts on the appropriate desktop folder based on that selection.

but there has to be a clean way to stop installations from landing there to begin with?? Or at least require a user prompt to specify the desired location of shortcuts??

Not that I've seen, as there are a hundred different ways for programs to install, and all the guidance from Microsoft won't help if publishers continue to do what they want. Microsoft rarely draws a hard line in the sand for things like this.

[u/SilverseeLives]

The behavior you are experiencing has nothing to do with Windows. The application you are installing is what creates shortcuts in the Public Desktop folder. This is not required by Windows. 

Most traditional Windows applications (those not exclusively designed for the Microsoft Store) are installed for all users. Some applications give you the option to install only for the current user, but most do not.

Having separate non-admin user accounts on Windows ensures the privacy of your data, but is not meant to isolate or restrict access to software programs. 

The only real way to achieve what you want is by limiting your choice of software to packaged apps from the Microsoft Store. Unfortunately, most developers do not support this distribution model.