setting homepage with GPO

[RabbieBurns]

Ive got a GPO for the students which sets the homepage. It works and is being applied.

 

The problem is that when they first log on, the homepage is set to Dell. If they close and re-open IE7, it is then set to microsoft, and only after the 3rd opening of IE does it use the supplied GPO setting.

 

What should I be looking for which is initially over-riding the GPO setting?

[FN-GM]

Are you using the IE7 templates. If it is as nasty as other Dell stuff you might need to start a new image with a standard VLK CD.

[RabbieBurns]

yeah got the templates in place, they are OEM machines that were just used as was. I might need to look at uninstalling all the Dell pre-installed crap then?

[FN-GM]

yeah got the templates in place, they are OEM machines that were just used as was. I might need to look at uninstalling all the Dell pre-installed crap then?

 

I doubt even that will work to be honest. It might be something sticking in the registery.

[Michael]

I agree with previous comments. Format and install Windows as new to guarantee removal of all Dell applications or registry modifications.

[rasssp]

Nothing to do with that. I have the same issue with VLK clean install and on terminal servers. Loads the Microsoft IE download page for some unknown reason on second open of IE.

[karldenton]

RabbieBurns - will send you some files in the morning when I'm at work. Had exactly the same with HP machines.

I run a logon script that stops microsoft taking over IE. Then put a reg change in the logon script that sets the home page - it overrides the HP one.

[Quackers]

Have you tried an IE7 User Group Policy Setting,

 

"Prevent performance of first run customize settings"

 

Under Administrative Templates > Internet Explorer ?

[RabbieBurns]

yep, that is set. That disables the fishing filter dialogue and such.

 

karldenton- cheers!

[mb2k01]

Hi RabbieBurns,

 

Are you using Server 2003?

It might be worth checking GPO's that might be applied higher up the tree to check they aren't set to conflict - I have come accross lots of instances where this happens (even though it shouldn't if you think about the usual rules)

 

If it all looks like too much work and you already have redirected desktops/start menus then you could always make a work-around and place a shortcut to Internet Explorer in the redirected start menu and dektop folder so that all users pick that one up. Just set the properties in the shortcut to be something like "iexplore.exe" "http://whateversiteyouwant.com" that way when a user clicks on the shortcut to IE it takes them straight to the site you specified!

(Although I have it working via GPO i still do it this way - so in the event of something not working I can easily switch the shortcut properties and force users to a "somethings not working" page on my Intranet)

[Michael]

I've just remembered, IE7's homepage setttings are set in two different places -

 

User Config > Windows Settings > Internet Explorer Maintenance > URLs > Important URLs

 

User Config > Admin Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer

 

Disable changing home page settings - Enable

 

Set both policies with the same homepage and this should work (hopefully)!

[joe90bass]

I've just remembered, IE7's homepage setttings are set in two different places -

 

User Config > Windows Settings > Internet Explorer Maintenance > URLs > Important URLs

 

User Config > Admin Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer

 

Disable changing home page settings - Enable

 

Set both policies with the same homepage and this should work (hopefully)!

 

I know this an old post, but I've been banging my head against the wall this morning with this issue - we've changed our homepage (and URL), I'd changed the first (obvious) GPO but forgotten about the 2nd! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!