Cleartype by Default

[thom]

We just got 50 new 17" TFTs to replace some ageing CRTs.

The only problem is that the text looks to jaggedy, especially when compared to the CRTs.

 

When I enable ClearType it looks great but I can't see a way of doing this for all users on all the computers in Group Policy.

 

Does anyone know how to do this, maybe using a registry edit?

[ajbritton]

This may be of use...

[SimpleSi]

or just simply change to using the native resolution of the panels for those computers.

 

regards

Simon

[thom]

Thanks,

I will try this then

 

run the following as a logon script batch file:

regedit /s \\Server\share\registry\cleartype.reg

 

cleartype.reg contains:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

 

[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop]

 

"FontSmoothing"="2"

"FontSmoothingType"=dword:00000002

 

If I leave that running for a couple of weeks I think it will work. I'll get back to you if I hit any probs.

 

P.S. Is this the best way of implementing changes to the registry through group policy? If anyone has any better suggestions then let me know.

[ajbritton]

or just simply change to using the native resolution of the panels for those computers.

 

regards

Simon

 

Not enough. ClearType makes a noticable difference, even when using the nativ resolution.

[ajbritton]

P.S. Is this the best way of implementing changes to the registry through group policy? If anyone has any better suggestions then let me know.

 

You have three choices;

 

1 - Create your own custom .ADM template.

 

2 - Use PolicyMaker registry extension (a freeby download add on to GP).

 

3 - Use scripts as you have already suggested.

[thom]

It hasn't worked

I tried using HKEY_USERS and HKEY_CURRENT_USER but neither has implemented cleartype.

Does anyone have this working?

[thom]

I got a bit further!

MAX PC says

HKEY_USERS \ .Default \ Control Panel \ Desktop key and look for the FontSmoothing and FontSmoothingType values. The tip says that both should be set to 2

 

I then downloaded the Microsoft ClearType Tuner PowerToy http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ClearTypePowerToy.mspx

On the advanced tab there is an "apply to default user" checkbox. So i ticked it, applied it, OK'd it and restarted it (the PC).

 

The welcome screen showed smooth fonts! I then logged on as a student user and no smooth fonts

[john]

After you used your Power Toy, did you remake the student profile as that will have the settings not set to cleartype, so will need remaking

[thom]

We don't use mandatory profiles or anything like that. I did it on a new PC which no students have logged into, I then logged on as a test user i had created

[thom]

SOLUTION:

I still couldn't get this working but today I found a great guide on creating custom ADM Templates (source).

 

I followed this guide to make a "Configure Font Smoothing" template.

OK, so I should have been configuring the new Media PCs but you know how easy it is to get sidetracked

After about 5 hours I think I have it perfect! I will only really be able to tell when the new term starts.

 

I have attached it so everyone else can use it. If you can see a way of improving it in any way then let me know (you can open up the file in NotePad to see what I have done). ADM ectensions aren't allowed here so I will upload it as text and you just need to give the file a .adm extension

 

Installation Instructions

;;;This script modifies the "User Configuration"

;;;To install in the GPO Editor right-click "Administrative Templates"

;;;Choose "Add/Remove Templates"

;;;Click "Add"

;;;Browse to where this ADM file is saved and click "Open"

;;;Click "Close"

;;;To enable the setiing...

;;;Open the "View" Menu and choose "Filtering..."

;;;Un-check the box marked "Only Show Policy Settings that can be Fully Managed"

;;;Click "OK"

;;;Go to User Configuration>Administrative Templates>Control Panel>Display

;;;In the right-hand pane double-Click "Configure Font Smoothing"

;;;Set the preferences as desired

fontsmoothing.txt

[tosca925]

thom

 

your source link does not work?

[thom]

I've updated the source link above - http://media.wiley.com/product_ancillary/82/07821429/DOWNLOAD/4298Web1.pdf

[MkII]

Looks great Thom - thanks!

[fireball1226]

Looking at the template you created and noticed it doesn't actually do anything. I mean, I don't see any registry keys modified.

 

Am I missing something?

[garethEds]

DOesn't work for me. I've changed the .txt to .adm and uploaded it into GPO Manager, but the 'Configure Font Smoothing' option doesn't display - so I cannot set it.

 

GJE

[albertwt]

Thanks,

I will try this then

 

run the following as a logon script batch file:

regedit /s \\Server\share\registry\cleartype.reg

 

cleartype.reg contains:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

 

[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop]

 

"FontSmoothing"="2"

"FontSmoothingType"=dword:00000002

 

If I leave that running for a couple of weeks I think it will work. I'll get back to you if I hit any probs.

 

P.S. Is this the best way of implementing changes to the registry through group policy? If anyone has any better suggestions then let me know.

 

 

 

OK, suppose the Terminal server got the GPO assigned as the Loop back in the domain, so can this registry hack be implemented in the terminal server directly login as DOMAIN\Administrator ?

 

or this is something that needs to be executed by the user each time they logon ? [logon scipt].

[CWCertus1]

Looking at the template you created and noticed it doesn't actually do anything. I mean, I don't see any registry keys modified.

 

Am I missing something?

 

No. It didn't work! I have attached a working copy with all of the original text. The description text is a little messy but its about the functionality and the settings are now available in the classic administrative templates section.

[CWCertus1]

Damn, would have to host it... ok, here is the content of the file (hope this all comes out properly). Help out a fellow welsh boy see!

 

OOPS!

 

 

-----------------

 

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

;;;ADM template for Windows 2003 Group Policy

;;;Enables you to configure Font Smoothing e.g. ClearType

;;;Created by Thom Mckiernan 23/08/2006

;;;This has only been tested on XP Clients

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

;;;This script modifies the "User Configuration"

;;;To install in the GPO Editor right-click "Administrative Templates"

;;;Choose "Add/Remove Templates"

;;;Click "Add"

;;;Browse to where this ADM file is saved and click "Open"

;;;Click "Close"

;;;To enable the setiing...

;;;Open the "View" Menu and choose "Filtering..."

;;;Un-check the box marked "Only Show Policy Settings that can be Fully Managed"

;;;Click "OK"

;;;Go to User Configuration>Administrative Templates>Control Panel>Display

;;;In the right-hand pane double-Click "Configure Font Smoothing"

;;;Set the preferences as desired

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

 

 

CLASS USER

 

 

CATEGORY "Control Panel"

 

 

CATEGORY "Display"

 

 

 

 

 

 

KEYNAME "Control Panel\Desktop"

POLICY "Configure Font Smoothing"

 

 

EXPLAIN "This policy controls the level of Font Smoothing for the current user \nIt enhances font readability especially on LCD monitors \n\nWhen enabled, the User's Font Smoothing will be set to the level chosen in the drop down list \n\nWhen disabled, Font Smoothing is turned off (this is the same as choosing None) \n\nWhen not configured, the User's Font Smoothing settings will remain set to their defaults\n\nThis has only been tested on XP Clients \n\nThis policy was created by Thom McKiernan \nIf you would like support or assistance e-mail [email protected] \n\n

 

 

"

VALUENAME "FontSmoothing"

VALUEON "2"

VALUEOFF "0"

 

 

PART "Choose a method of Font Smoothing"

DROPDOWNLIST

VALUENAME "FontSmoothingType"

 

 

ITEMLIST

NAME "None" VALUE NUMERIC 0

NAME "Standard" VALUE NUMERIC 1

NAME "ClearType" VALUE NUMERIC 2

END ITEMLIST

 

 

NOSORT

 

 

END PART

 

 

END POLICY

 

 

 

 

END CATEGORY

 

 

END CATEGORY

 

 

[strings]

 

 

FontSmoothingExplain =This policy controls the level of Font Smoothing for the current user \nIt enhances font readability especially on LCD monitors \n\nWhen enabled, the User's Font Smoothing will be set to the level chosen in the drop down list \n\nWhen disabled, Font Smoothing is turned off (this is the same as choosing "None") \n\nWhen not configured, the User's Font Smoothing settings will remain set to their defaults\n\nThis has only been tested on XP Clients \n\nThis policy was created by Thom McKiernan \nIf you would like support or assistance e-mail [email protected] \n\n

 

 

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

;;;End of Template

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;