Lock down your applications in Windows 7

AppLocker is a completely new feature for Windows 7 that enables you to lock down certain applications for users that you specify, using rules and properties to provide access control for applications.

Meant primarily for businesses, it's available in Windows 7 Ultimate, while you can also create rules in Windows 7 Professional.

You can configure numerous rules including restricting applications by publisher, for example, so you could restrict certain games or simply applications you use for work. AppLocker is hidden away though, in the Local Group Policy Editor.

To launch this, run GPEDIT.MSC and go to Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings. Then highlight Security Settings and look for Application Control Policies. AppLocker is within this group.