Add Desktop Icons?

[Gongalong]

Hi folks,

What's the best way to add desktop icons and favourites to an OU of users?

I'd prefer to use a GPO rather than scripts, if possible. I've found an area of GP relating to the desktop, but it talks about adding "web content items".

TIA

[tmcd35]

As far as I know there's two options depending on what you're trying to achieve.

If you are after fixing the desktop so only Icons you put on it are available then you are looking for folder redirection (User Config -> Windows Settings -> Folder Redirect -> Desktop).

The other option, if you are on Server '08 or above, is Group Policy Preferencies ( User/Computer Config -> Preferences -> Windows Settings -> Files).

[Gongalong]

Just adding in this case, as we don't restrict the desktop. I'll try the latter, thanks!

[Oaktech]

I have a GPO called staff short cuts applied to the top of the staff container, under the user config, preferences, windows settings, short cuts option, which contains all the short cuts for all staff desktops, but each short cut is item level targeted at a group,for example the webmail link at teaching staff or the MIS system at members of the staff - admin group, or at a specific user in the case of the finance programs.

[mavhc]

Found out the other day that you can't use GPP to recursively copy files, ended up using blinksync.exe

[soveryapt]

The way I add shortcuts is Group Policy Preferences > Windows Settings > Shortcuts

You can use targeting to make sure only people in a certain OU get them or a certain security group, or even just a single user or particular computer. It's really useful and very easy to do.

The policy preferences have made life so much easier with the drive maps, files, folders, shortcuts, etc, etc.

[Gongalong]

Thanks all. I finally got around to doing this, and used GP to create them under User Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Shortcuts (created both on Desktop and in Explorer Favorites).