How can I prevent an application (or user) from changing the screen resolution?

Solution 1:

One option is to configure a shortcut key combination to switch the resolution back to your preferred settings after the media player changes them.

I can confirm that HotKey Resolution Changer from funk.eu does change the display resolution in Windows XP. It claims to work in Windows 7 as well.

Highlights:

• Sits silently in the tray
• Define 2 to 9 shortcuts for different resolutions
• Switch resolution with just a keypress!
• Resolutions below 640×400 and frequencies above 120 Hertz are excluded.

You may also be able to use AutoHotKey script for this.

Solution 2:

as here is mentioned , i think this is the best way :

You could disable the settings tab for users as policy:

Local Security Policy > User Config > Admin Templates > Control Panel > Display > Hide Settings Tab

Here is the MSDN documentation for this settting: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms811676.aspx`

Solution 3:

If you're using a video card from either NVIDIA or AMD, they should have control panel settings that allow you to force resolutions and aspect ratios.

NVIDIA Control Panel: Under Display > Adjust desktop size and position:

1. Select scaling mode: No scaling
2. Perform scaling on: GPU
3. Check Override the scaling mode set by games and programs

Don't know for AMD cards.

This solution is unfortunately heavy-handed, and not the per-program or per-user solution you're looking for.

Solution 4:

Your best solution is to get with the developer of the media player and have them fix the issue a media player should not be causing the issue.