Remote Desktop can operate in what is referred to as "user mode." User mode is activated when a nonadministrator user opens Remote Desktop to administer Apple Remote Desktop client computers. The administrator of the computer with Remote Desktop installed can choose which features and tasks are available to nonadministrator users.

User mode is a great way to delegate administrative tasks, or give users only the features of Remote Desktop that they really use. For example, you might not allow nonadministrators to copy or delete files, but you may want them to be able to observe client screens and send messages to client users.

You can choose to allow nonadministrators to:

• Observe, control, and share screens
• Lock and unlock screens
• Send text messages and chat
• Sleep and wake client computers
• Log out users
• Restart, shut down, and power on computers
• Open or quit files and applications
• Rename computers
• Generate reports and software searches
• Copy items, delete items, and empty the Trash
• Create Apple Remote Desktop custom client installers
• Upgrade clients and change client settings
• Install packages
• Set the client computer's startup volume
• Set the client's data reporting policy
• Send UNIX commands

Each of these features can be enabled or disabled independently of each other, or you can enable all of Remote Desktop's features for nonadministrator users.