Getting the perfect Start Menu for Student Workstations

[Sam_Brown]

Hi guys,

 

Looking for some advice \ help on creating the perfect Start Menu for Student Workstations.

 

I'm creating a new image for 80 new computers we've built.

 

Obviously when the students log in I only want them to see the relevant programs and folders in their Start Menu. I appreciate certain things like Control Panel \ Command Prompt etc are handled via Group Policies but we seem to have various other icons appearing under programs that we don't want and I'm not sure how to stop them appearing.

 

The main culprits are Outlook Express, Windows Explorer, Remote Assistance, System Tools, Accessability as well as a few extras in the Accessories folder.

 

We used to use a program called Ranger (set up before I started) that handled all our StartMenus but now we're moving to using Group Policies.

 

Anyone have any idea how to stop these few programs showing in the start menu. They aren't present in the "All Users" profile and I'm not sure where else to look to stop them coming up.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Sam

[djm968]

As you are moving to Group Policies, you might want to look at the Folder Redirection options in GPO as you can set GPO's to redirect start menus to a network share. A word of caution though, how well this will function within your live environment will depend on network speed etc.

 

You can also check the default user folder in documents and settings, as this could contain the shortcuts to apps you do not require.

 

I believe Ranger uses a VB script at logon to copy shortcuts from a network folder and I have also implemented a similar solution for a few schools which has worked well and proved a little more resilient that the MS GPO option as you don’t loose all your icons if the Network connection is lost.

Edited August 24, 2010 by djm968

[Sam_Brown]

Interesting... there is no "default user" folder.

 

I'll see what happens if I create it.

[strawberry]

it'll be hidden. how did you remove ranger from the clients?

[Sam_Brown]

We haven't yet.

 

We still have ranger on our current machines. For the new 80 computers we're not using it though.

 

The fun of removing ranger will probably start over half term.

[Sam_Brown]

it'll be hidden.

 

LMAO I am such a retard.

[strawberry]

Yah, Hate to say this, but removing ti will be a PITA, your better off rebuilding the clients. Sorry!.

 

As for your icon problems, they'll be coming from one of several places, either all users locally, default user, existing profiles, Or a group policy redirection ( possibly part of a roaming profile?). Have a look around, maybe right click on the icon and see if tehre are any properties taht give it away.

 

also work trying a new account, see if it picks up the icons.

 

Moving foward the best thing to do is to use a gp redirection which will you give you a similar setup to the way ranger controls the startmenu.

 

edit** in fact, you can tack it on to the ranger start menu should you wish!

Edited August 24, 2010 by strawberry
latter inspiration.