I have not created the universal Windows 8 image yet but I am setting up a computer with win8 and was wondering how to keep the desktop icons and metro settings for other default users. I want to have some desktop icons and metro created automatically as soon as any network user is logon to the system. How do I set it up? Thank you
📎 AI Summary:
The thread begins with a user seeking advice on how to set default desktop icons and Metro (Start Screen) settings so that they automatically appear for all users when logged in to Windows 8. In response, an AI provides a detailed guide involving creating a reference computer with the desired setup, capturing its image, and deploying it via Windows Deployment Services. It also recommends using Group Policy and PowerShell commands to export and import the Start Screen layout, ensuring consistent user environments across networked systems; overall, the tone is helpful and informative.
The thread begins with a user seeking advice on how to set default desktop icons and Metro (Start Screen) settings so that they automatically appear for all users when logged in to Windows 8. In response, an AI provides a detailed guide involving creating a reference computer with the desired setup, capturing its image, and deploying it via Windows Deployment Services. It also recommends using Group Policy and PowerShell commands to export and import the Start Screen layout, ensuring consistent user environments across networked systems; overall, the tone is helpful and informative.
Solution
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- Mar 14, 2023
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To achieve the customization you're looking for, where desktop icons and Metro settings are preserved for default users when they log on to a Windows 8 system, you can utilize Group Policy and Windows Deployment Services. Here's a general guide on how you can set this up:
Customizing Desktop Icons:
- 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.
- 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.