Do you have to run a setup on the client workstations or is it a network application? Assuming it is either a netapp or already installed locally, you can script the filecopy using vbscript or an old-school .bat file.
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Question
Deploy a shortcut icon accross the network?
I basically have a .exe file that is a server for this Remote Helpdesk program we purchased from GID Software.
What I'd like to do is put a shortcut to it on everyone's desktop over Active Directory, and I wasn't sure if there was an easy way to do this or not.
I want people to be able to open it easily without going to start>run typing \\servername\sharefolder\h
something a bit easier like a shortcut icon on their desktop.
Thanks!
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Answers
You will have to use a *startup script* instead if you want to move the shortcut to the "all users" profile AND you can use xcopy to make your login script smarter.
example:
xcopy "\\server\share\shortcut" "c:\documents and settings\all users\desktop\" /D /C /R /Y
using a *login script* would require you put it in the individual users profile.
example:
xcopy "\\server\share\shortcut" "c:\documents and settings\%username%\deskto
Note: the xcopy switches are as follows:
/A Copies only files with the archive attribute set,
doesn't change the attribute.
/M Copies only files with the archive attribute set,
turns off the archive attribute.
/D:m-d-y Copies files changed on or after the specified date.
If no date is given, copies only those files whose
source time is newer than the destination time.
/EXCLUDE:file1[+file2][+fi
Specifies a list of files containing strings. Each string
should be in a separate line in the files. When any of the
strings match any part of the absolute path of the file to be
copied, that file will be excluded from being copied. For
example, specifying a string like \obj\ or .obj will exclude
all files underneath the directory obj or all files with the
.obj extension respectively.
/P Prompts you before creating each destination file.
/S Copies directories and subdirectories except empty ones.
/E Copies directories and subdirectories, including empty ones.
Same as /S /E. May be used to modify /T.
/V Verifies each new file.
/W Prompts you to press a key before copying.
/C Continues copying even if errors occur.
/I If destination does not exist and copying more than one file,
assumes that destination must be a directory.
/Q Does not display file names while copying.
/F Displays full source and destination file names while copying.
/L Displays files that would be copied.
/G Allows the copying of encrypted files to destination that does
not support encryption.
/H Copies hidden and system files also.
/R Overwrites read-only files.
/T Creates directory structure, but does not copy files. Does not
include empty directories or subdirectories. /T /E includes
empty directories and subdirectories.
/U Copies only files that already exist in destination.
/K Copies attributes. Normal Xcopy will reset read-only attributes.
/N Copies using the generated short names.
/O Copies file ownership and ACL information.
/X Copies file audit settings (implies /O).
/Y Suppresses prompting to confirm you want to overwrite an
existing destination file.
/-Y Causes prompting to confirm you want to overwrite an
existing destination file.
/Z Copies networked files in restartable mode.
quote: "using a *login script* would require you put it in the individual users profile"
I see what you mean with permissions and all, but I don't think that's necessarily the case. You could still use the all users profile directory permitting you use have the script tied to a startup script. Logon/logoff scripts run with user credentials. Startup/shutdown scripts run with system credentials.
http://www.rlmueller.net/
Huh? I don't understand this sentence: "You could still use the all users profile directory permitting you use have the script tied to a startup script."
The startup script can only write to the all users profile if the user has administrator rights. I highly recommend that administrator privledges not be given to all users. That's why I recommended the startup script instead.
Startup scripts run with system credentials. That should be admin equiv. I agree USERS should not be given admin rights.
http://support.microsoft.c
Scripts - Startup/Shutdown:
...These scripts run on the Local System account.
I do not want the exe to run automatically.
As I said before, this is a file that "WHEN OPENED" will "CONNECT TO MY COMPUTER" for "REMOTE ACCESS".
Why would I want hundreds of people automatically opening a remote connection session to my computer?
I simply want them to have a shortcut on their desktop to OPEN THE FILE which resides on ANOTHER COMPUTER accessible via a SHARED NETWORK.
Users do have local admin rights, as we have plenty of group policies in place to prevent them from hurting their system. So yes all users have administration rights to their computer "locally" not "domain-wide".
That's exactly what we're explaining how to do.
You want a shortcut propagated, right? Then create the shortcut, put it on a server share. Then open your logon script and paste a line like this in it:
xcopy "\\server\share\shortcut" "c:\documents and settings\all users\desktop\" /D /C /R /Y
When anyone logs in it will copy that SHORTCUT to their DESKTOP. It will OPEN THE FILE which resides on ANOTHER COMPUTER accessible via a SHARED NETWORK until someone CLICKS ON IT.
You can ignore all the previous rights discussion due to everyone having admin rights.
Thanks - Tex
We should try to BE MINDFUL OF OUR TONE around here. Everyone is either looking for help or trying to help. So we can consider each other friends helping friends.
Still seeking answers:
1) Do you want to copy (NOT RUN) immediately in real time w/o waiting for users to login or computers to restart?
2) Are all computers at win2k and higher?
3) Do you know how to use mailmerge in microsoft word?
I would advise against believing local admin is safe b/c of group policy restrictions. I don't even have admin over my own computer...not b/c I don't know what I'm doing...but b/c it's one of the only ways to effectively mitigate zero day vulnerabilities. Unless of course privilege escalation is part of the exploit.
excuse me!? my tone!? sorry it's been a stressful day...
to answer your questions:
1) It can copy to their desktops the next time they login, it's not too important.
2) all workstations are running windows xp professional
3) I can use mail merge in Microsoft word.
As far as security goes, this isn't a major IT business or anything. We have strict firewalls in place and strict group policy procedures.
The only thing they can do locally on their computer if they're an administrator is install software off a CD, etc.
I didn't mean to offend anyone...my goal is to help you. What day isn't stressful in the IT world? Sounds like you're all set then. I was going to offer to help you deploy the icons immediately. Go ahead and logon or startup script it if that suits your needs. Does remhelp.exe (I'm assuming that's what it is) provide much functionality beyond the built-in remote assistance? Or is it easier for the end user? Just curious. Hope you have a good day.
They're all on XP pro.
Regarding the remhelp, it seems to be ok. The only issue I'm having right now is that when a person opens it, it automatically brings up their desktop on my computer. So I could be in the middle of something, then pops up someones desktop. So, it's nice to be able to talk to someone on the phone about an issue, then tell them if they open up the icon on their desktop I'm readily available to assist them. So it's kind of annoying that it is going to popup on my screen whether I am expecting it or not.
There is on option on the server where you can make the end-user put in a description of the issue and it will e-mail me their request via pop-3 e-mail, which seems okay. I haven't really tried it all out, as I just purchased this software today.
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by: whoajackPosted on 2006-12-07 at 07:21:13ID: 18093701
well if you have access to edit the login script that everyone gets, you can add a copy line in the batch file to copy it to the local c:\Documents and settings\All users\desktop\ folder.
del "c:\documents and settings\all users\desktop\shortcutname
copy "\\servername\sharename\pa
I wouldn't really do that, but it would work. Remove that line from the script after a few days, so its not junk left in your login script
Or, you can create the shortcut, email people the path to that shortcut, and just ask them to copy it to their desktop to run for future use.
If you have SMS configured, you can also make a quick package/application that basically installs this icon on the local all users desktop instead of copying from somewhere. Not sure if you have that though.