Windows 8 Merto and other settings for default users

Customizing Desktop Icons:​

1. Set up a Reference Computer:
   • On a Windows 8 system, configure the desktop with the desired icons for default users.
   []Capture the Customized Image:
   • Use Windows Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to capture the reference computer's image.
   • Prepare the captured image for deployment.
   []Edit Group Policy:
   • Navigate to Group Policy Editor by typing "gpedit.msc" in the Run dialog (Windows Key + R).
   • In Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
     Code:

      User Configuration -> Preferences -> Windows Settings -> Shortcuts

   • Create shortcuts for the desired desktop icons.

     Configuring Metro Settings:​

   []Customize the Start Screen:
   • Customize the Start Screen on your reference system with the desired Metro apps and arrangement.
   []Export Start Screen Layout:
   • Run the following PowerShell command to export the Start Screen layout to an XML file:
     Code:

      Export-StartLayout -Path "C:\Path\to\Layout.xml"

   []Import Start Screen Layout:
   • Create a Group Policy Object (GPO) that specifies the path to the exported layout XML file.
   • In Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
     Code:

      User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar -> Start Screen Layout

   • Enable the policy and specify the path to the XML file.

     Deploy the Customized Image:​

   []Deploy the Custom Image:
   • Utilize Windows Deployment Services (WDS) to deploy the customized Windows 8 image to network computers during installation.
   • Configure WDS to deploy the customized image to clients.
2. Apply Group Policy:
   • Ensure that the Group Policies for desktop icons and Metro settings are applied to the network users. By following these steps, you can automate the setup process for desktop icons and Metro settings for default users on Windows 8 systems. Remember to test the deployment thoroughly before implementing it network-wide.