Win XP – Propogate default printer to other users of same PC
We have a dozen or so users of the same PC (it's a production PC running a dedicated software package). The PC is connected to our Windows 2003 Server, and each user logs in with his/her own account. When a change is made on this PC by the main user (such as the default printer) the change does not trickle out to the other users on this PC. Because this isn't a network-wide situation, I don't think Active Directory is my answer. I'm wondering if there is a way for the main user to change certain settings and then force them out to other users of this particular PC. The alternative option, which I'm not fond of, is to create a generic login for this PC.
Thanks in advance.
Software/Hardware used:
Software/Hardware used:
ASKED:
February 15, 2005 9:41 AM
UPDATED:
February 17, 2005 1:48 PM
Answer Wiki:
Does the software package on that PC allow you to print to a dedicated printer? See if you can set preferences in there rather than the profiles.
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No, the software uses the Windows default printer, not something specified by the software. Also, there are other settings that might be changed, such as a new desktop shortcut .
Good idea, though.
The only real way of controlling user environments is unfortunately AD. If every user is logging on as themselves then they will all have unique user profiles which they can change. Lockdown software like Deepfreeze will allow you to reset changes and lock in new changes but you won’t be able to maintain those changes.
In AD if you hang your policies off the machine and not the user you can control the environment on a per machine basis. If you configure the User configuration section of the GPO then when anyone logs on to that machine they get that config, but it doesn’t affect them elsewhere.
You can use a command-line utility call defprint. Put the settings in a batch file and have it run whenever someone logs into the system. I use it on our Citrix systems and also on our Windows XP based thin clients. If you need an example of a script let me know.
The script / batch seems to be the solution, but I have limited knowledge about the scripting, how do I create script? What’s file extension for a script? I visitted your site for the tutorial you made, but seems like it assumes that you have at least some basic knowledge in scripting? Thanks.
Use a .CMD extension. You can also use a .BAT extension but that causes it to run in 16-bit mode because it is a leftover from the NT 4 days.