Start Menu Management

[Peter_W]

I would like to find out how people are managing Start Menu's for users. I have tried RES and a custom script I made, but it would be good too see what others are using.

[sted]

folder redirection to a std start menu for kids/staff

[Peter_W]

folder redirection to a std start menu for kids/staff

 

Do you have to deal with more/less software. Also do you have to deal with software not being on the computer?

[sted]

Do you have to deal with more/less software. Also do you have to deal with software not being on the computer?

 

pretty much everything is on everything but worst case theres an icon there that dosent work hardly the end of the world

[chazzy2501]

I have GPP create a folder on the c drive called customstart, I then get GPP to add shortcuts into the correct folders but using item level targeting to check whether the .exe is installed first. I then redirect all pupils start to the c:\customstart. They only get the programs that are installed. It does take a couple of reboots to get a new program and the shortcuts to work. You can of course add shortcuts that need no ILT.

 

its fast for the end user to boot.

 

EDIT: thanks to ILT I can also add shortcuts to specific OUs (like sound recorder for MFL) or based on whether it's a laptop or windows xp or 7. I also have different shortcuts for office 2003 and 2010.

 

ALSO super handy is if you have any pupils with specific needs and programs. You can manually add a shortcut to their local laptops customstart and it'll appear on just that machine. (I add magnifier for 1 pupil and dragon for another)

Edited July 4, 2013 by chazzy2501

[Peter_W]

How do you deal with custom shortcuts for one or two users that work/roam on all computers?

[chazzy2501]

I could see a case of a specific pupil needing a specific program whilst roaming I would place the shortcuts into their my docs instead. The program would have to be installed on all workstations for it to work.