Win7 - Students Renaming Playback Devices

[L3OUGH]

Hi EduGeekers!

 

Our students have found out a way of renaming playback devices to all sorts of funky names by right clicking 'Sound Icon - Playback Devices - Properties'.

 

I know there is a GPO that disables/hides the sound icon altogether, however that stops students being able to adjust the volume. I was just wondering if anyone has found out how to prevent changes to the playback devices without hiding the icon?

 

Thanks

 

Liam

[Boredguy]

We found our students doing this very soon after rolling out Windows 7, and could never find a GPO solution for it.

However, as part of our workstation startup script, we run a VBS file which checks for a exported copy "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio" that is stored on the local computer.

If it finds that reg file, it reimports it which gets rid of what ever message little Jonny thought would be funny instead of the word "Speakers"

 

If the file does not exist (which is normally just after the workstation has been built) it will export the reg fragment ready for the next startup cycle.

 

It is not the most advanced solution to stop them doing it, but does mitigate the fall out, as staff know they can just reboot the workstation to clear the changed text.

[L3OUGH]

Hi @Boredguy, thanks for the response, is there any chance we could get a copy of the VBS script you use for this, pretty please?

[Boredguy]

'Set the varible of objShell to interact with system information and environment variables.

Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

 

'Set the varible of objFSO to interact with the File System.

Set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

 

'AudioSettings

 

'If the SoundCheck file exists do the following.

If objFSO.FileExists ("C:\Windows\SoundCheck.reg") then

 

'Merge file into registry

strCommand = "regedit /s " & chr(34) & "C:\Windows\SoundCheck.reg" & chr(34)

objShell.Run strCommand, 0, TRUE

 

Else

 

'Extract Registry

strCommand = "regedit /E " & chr(34) & "C:\Windows\SoundCheck.reg" & chr(34) & " " & chr(34) & "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio" & chr(34)

objShell.Run strCommand, 0, TRUE

 

'End of If Statement for Existance of SoundCheck file.

End If

 

'Exit Script

Wscript.Quit

 

It's not very complex or tidy but has been working nicely for 3 years now.

[chazzy2501]

You can disable right click on desktop, still works for programs. You can also hide the sound icon. if your keyboards have volume on them.

[L3OUGH]

It's not very complex or tidy but has been working nicely for 3 years now.

 

Cheers for that @Boredguy, it doesn't seem to be working though, any chance you could repost it using the

 tags please?

[fairm010]

We hide all taskbar icons and provide a shortcut to the volume mixer on their desktops.

[L3OUGH]

Thanks for the responses guys, do these suggestions still allow the students to access the properties window for the playback devices though? As this is where the students are changing the names.

[fairm010]

Mine doesnt, no, but that is locked via GPO.

[Boredguy]

'Set the varible of objShell to interact with system information and environment variables.
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

'Set the varible of objFSO to interact with the File System.
Set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

'AudioSettings

'If the SoundCheck file exists do the following.
If objFSO.FileExists ("C:\Windows\SoundCheck.reg") then

   'Merge file into registry
   strCommand = "regedit /s " & chr(34) & "C:\Windows\SoundCheck.reg" & chr(34)
   objShell.Run strCommand, 0, TRUE

Else

   'Extract Registry
   strCommand = "regedit /E " & chr(34) & "C:\Windows\SoundCheck.reg" & chr(34) & " " & chr(34) & "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio" & chr(34)
   objShell.Run strCommand, 0, TRUE

'End of If Statement for Existance of SoundCheck file.
End If

'Exit Script
Wscript.Quit

[L3OUGH]

'Set the varible of objShell to interact with system information and environment variables.
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

'Set the varible of objFSO to interact with the File System.
Set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

'AudioSettings

'If the SoundCheck file exists do the following.
If objFSO.FileExists ("C:\Windows\SoundCheck.reg") then

   'Merge file into registry
   strCommand = "regedit /s " & chr(34) & "C:\Windows\SoundCheck.reg" & chr(34)
   objShell.Run strCommand, 0, TRUE

Else

   'Extract Registry
   strCommand = "regedit /E " & chr(34) & "C:\Windows\SoundCheck.reg" & chr(34) & " " & chr(34) & "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio" & chr(34)
   objShell.Run strCommand, 0, TRUE

'End of If Statement for Existance of SoundCheck file.
End If

'Exit Script
Wscript.Quit

 

Brilliant! Thank you very much @Boredguy, that works a treat!!

[AngryTechnician]

This has come up before. My solution is to set a Deny ACL for Pupils on the DLL file which provides the Playback Devices UI. The volume control can still be used as normal.

 

Full details here: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows-7/95284-disable-device-name-changes.html#post887794