IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you
modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore
the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the
registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry
RESOLUTION
Create a batch file that calls the actual logon script. Using Notepad,
create a file that has the following entry:
START /MIN LOGON.BAT
Save the batch file and specify this file as the logon script name for the
user accounts in User Manager for Domains. Now, when the users log on to
Windows,
they will initially run the above batch file, which, in turn, calls the
logon
script and starts it minimized. The last entry in the real logon script
file must be
EXIT so the file will close properly.
This works great and solves the problem of users seeing the commands being
processed in the actual logon script.
Windows for Workgroups clients do not understand the
START command,
so this
won't work if you have those clients. Also, the initial call to the logon
script designated in User Manager for Domains still creates a logon dialog
box. The box disappears almost immediately, but may still cause a problemfor the administrator who does not want the user to see anything out of
the ordinary when logging on. To have the logon script dialog box
minimized during
logon and support all clients, do the following:
- For the initial preparation, insert a pause
statement into the logon
script specified in User Manager for Domains. This pause will be
important
because it is needed to access the properties of the logon script
window.
- Log on to the workstation as the user in question and, when the logon
script pauses, select Properties from the Control menu.
- Select the Layout tab in Windows or the Screen Size
and Position
tab, and set the Width and Height on the Screen
Buffer Size and Window Size to 1.
- Set the Window Position to 0 for the Left setting and set the Top
position to the highest number possible (this will vary depending on the
screen resolution). This will put the Window in the lower left-hand
corner of the screen.
- Select OK after changing the settings and then you will be
presented
with an Apply Properties dialog box. Select "Save properties for
future
windows with the same title" and then select OK.
- Log off as the user, remove the pause from the logon script, and then
log back
on. The dialog box is still present, but in the lower left corner of the
screen out of the users way.
If, at a later time, you need to resize the windows and cannot access it
through the screen, use Registry Editor and delete the following key:
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may
require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve
problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own
risk.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console\_ComputerName_NETLOGON_LogonScript
After that key is deleted, the default dialog box will once again be
presented for Windows with that same title.