Issues with Windows 10 Start Menu & GPO's

[Spenketh]

I'm currently running in to issues with sending out a customised start menu via GPO as it simply resorts to default. I have logged on a Windows 10 Education 1607 build, customised the start menu as I would like by removing all the apps off the start menu and exporting it via powershell with "export-startlayout -path .xml"

 

I have added the file to the default domain policy - computer configuration & user configuration - policies - administrative templates - start menu and taskbar - start layout and enabled it. I'm using the latest administrative templates published - Windows 10 ADMX

 

I'm not sure if I'm missing anything but this has been tested on our current network and a dummy network in VM's and neither seem to pick up the Start Menu modification and seemingly doesn't seem to change any modifcations to other GPOs such as disabling the store and Microsoft Consumer Experiences. Please help!

[sted]

copy the file to say c:\windows and edit the policy accordingly ive found that can help

[JamboD]

We're having this problem too. I have tried storing the XML file on a share and also in the Public Documents folder but with no luck. I'll try putting the file in the Windows folder as suggested and see if we have anymore luck with that.

[Winner]

We do it slightly differently. We create a powershell script with the following:

 

$OS = (Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem).OSArchitecture

IF ($OS -eq '32-bit'){
   Import-StartLayout '\\domain.net\sysvol\domain.net\Policies\{DF4208B9-E75D-492B-9396-3AD61AC45F45}\Machine\Scripts\Startup\Desktop32bit1607.xml' -MountPath C:\}
ELSE{
   Import-StartLayout '\\domain.net\sysvol\domain.net\Policies\{DF4208B9-E75D-492B-9396-3AD61AC45F45}\Machine\Scripts\Startup\Desktop64bit1607.xml' -MountPath C:\}

 

We can run this in a Configuration Manager deployment task sequence, or as a GPO startup script. To run via GPO copy the XML files into the GPO startup folder along with the powershell script and run as a startup script. The benefit of this method is that users can edit the start menu layout if they wish.

[jmak]

I like the idea of allowing (some) users to customise their start menu. Using that method, don't their changes get overwritten if you use it as a start up script?

 

Edit: openly admit that I don't have scripting skills, just applying my version of common sense and I know that's not always clever....

Edited September 7, 2016 by jmak

[Winner]

No, the start menu xml is only applied at first logon. Once a profile is created you can't change the start menu from a new xml without deleting the existing user profile off the machine.

[abaxter2]

Just checking what you mean:

 

I have added the file to the default domain policy - computer configuration & user configuration - policies - administrative templates - start menu and taskbar - start layout and enabled it. I'm using the latest administrative templates published - Windows 10 ADMX

 

I only apply to user policy - if your applying to both computer and user policy it could be causing issues (I only say Could be)

 

I apply my .xml via first copying the file to the local hard drive via gpp and then a user gpo to apply the custom start layout to the users

[DMcCoy]

So far 1607 is turning out to be rather rubbish. 1511 seemed to be moving W10 in the right direction, but the anniversary update is a step back.

 

So far my experience is: With an exported xml on the netlogon share, one of the machines will lock the xml file for some reason (despite read only access) which then stops it reading properly for other machines so they end up with nothing after login.

 

I think the xml will reapply with the GPO option, if the file has a later modified date IIRC. Currently scripting copying them to the local drive and reading from there to avoid the lock issue. You can set only the deployed groups, allowing people to add more icons in their own area.

 

Although as a user, adding your own icons is slightly pointless because it seems to use Local settings to store the data, so no use for roaming profiles :/

 

Currently I'd give W10 a D, must try harder!

[victory2015]

 

Although as a user, adding your own icons is slightly pointless because it seems to use Local settings to store the data, so no use for roaming profiles :/

 

 

try my solution for this, currently working well on 100 staff and 900 students

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows-10/173918-start-menu-roaming-profiles-fix.html

Edited September 7, 2016 by victory2015