S/w distribution via GPO (Stop shortcuts going into All Users Start Menu & Desktop)

[bodminman]

Hi there,

 

We use redirected start menus and would like to know if it is possible to prevent folders/shortcuts being created in the All Users section when distributing software.

 

Is this a 'meddle with the msi' issue or can we stop the All Users bit applying to users when they login?

 

The server is Svr 2008 Standard and the clients are XP.

 

Thanks

[tumbleweed]

I did this for some desktops with a group policy preference - computer/preferences/windows/files - %CommonDesktopDir%\*.lnk Action=Delete.

Something similar might work for start menus - at least it gives you somewhere to start.

Clients would need to have the GPP extensions installed.

[Brpilot99]

Ive used ORCA in the past to modify the Msi so that various bits dont get installed when the Msi is run. Ive recently played with InstEd. Seems to do the job as well ...

[bodminman]

I did this for some desktops with a group policy preference - computer/preferences/windows/files - %CommonDesktopDir%\*.lnk Action=Delete.

Something similar might work for start menus - at least it gives you somewhere to start.

Clients would need to have the GPP extensions installed.

 

Thanks. I'll have a play with this.

 

Ive used ORCA in the past to modify the Msi so that various bits dont get installed when the Msi is run. Ive recently played with InstEd. Seems to do the job as well ...

 

Really want to avoid this if I can but may look into it f all else fails.

[Mr.Ben]

I thought that there was a GPO to make windows ignore the local allusers folders?

[Mr.Ben]

Here it is:

 

Remove Common Program Groups from Start Menu under User\ADM Templates\Start Menu & Taskbar\

 

Downside is that you'll have to redirect the Start Menu and copy the exisiting links in the All Users folder to it (Accessories etc)

[bodminman]

Here it is:

 

Remove Common Program Groups from Start Menu under User\ADM Templates\Start Menu & Taskbar\

 

Downside is that you'll have to redirect the Start Menu and copy the exisiting links in the All Users folder to it (Accessories etc)

 

Hi there,

 

I have this enabled but they're still showing. The redirected start menu is appearing aswell as what's in the All Users but meaning I'm getting duplicate program folders and shortcuts

Edited February 11, 2012 by bodminman

[Mr.Ben]

Hi there,

 

I have this enabled but they're still showing. The redirected start menu is appearing aswell as what's in the All Users but meaning I'm getting duplicate program folders and shortcuts

 

Could you use GPP or a script to delete the allusers Start menu folder when the computer restarts?

 

It will mean that on install the Icons are there, but after a reboot they would disappear?

 

Or you could use Group policy to change the permissions on the folder so that installers couldn't write to it?

Edited February 11, 2012 by Mr.Ben