Changing the Windows Explorer View to 'List' via Registry Change

A

adrianr

Hello,

Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2, Windows 2003 AD Domain in Windows 2000 mode.

I've written a script that changes the windows explorer view to 'list'. It
works by writing values to the 'Streams' key in HKCU and seems to work fine
when I run this as an administrator.

Standard Users do not have access to the Tools-> Options in Windows Explorer
(disabled via Group Policy)

However, when I login as a non-administrator, the view is still 'icons'.
I have written a second script to interrogate the registry to verify that
the changes that I made had been written successfully - they had.

Given that the non-administrator user has group policy settings applied to
them, would this be the reason why my registry changes are not taking effect?

As far as I can tell, there is no mention of the 'Streams' key in the ADM
files that are applied to the client/user.

The following policies are applied to Windows Explorer and seem to update
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Do not track shell shortcuts during roaming
Hide these drives in My Computer
Hide Manage on Explorer contect menu
No 'Computers Near Me' in Network Places
No 'Entire Network' in Network Places
Prevent access to these drives in My Computer
Remove DFS, Hardware Tabs
Remove Search
Remove UI to change Keyboard navigation indicator and menu animation settings
Remove Folder Options on tools
Turn on Classic Shell

I have performed a test and updated my scripts to write to the 'Policies'
Key (by adding the user to an administrative group). The results were that
the registry entries were created, but again, no change was made in Windows
Explorer

Also I could not find a policy that defined the Windows Explorer view,
otherwise I would have used that as a method of setting the view for the user.

I've included below the script that modifies the registry - It does a check
for XP or 2000 as we have both clients in our environment.

Any help would be appreicated either in suggesting an alternative method of
changing the explorer view, or suggestions why the registry changes are not
being 'read' or 'applied' by users who have the GPO's applied.

Script: It's an AutoIT script......

;@OSVersion
;Returns one of the following: "WIN_2003", "WIN_XP", "WIN_2000", "WIN_NT4",
"WIN_ME", "WIN_98", "WIN_95"

If @OSVersion = "WIN_2003" OR "WIN_XP" The
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams",
"Settings", "REG_BINARY",
"08000000040000000100000000777e137335cf11ae6908002b2e1262040000000200000043000000"
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults",
"{F3364BA0-65B9-11CE-A9BA-00AA004AE837}", "REG_BINARY",
"1c0000000400000000000000000090000000000001000000fffffffff0f0f0f014000300900000000000000030000000fddfdffd0f0004002000100028003c0000000000010000000200000003000000f50060007800780000000000010000000200000003000000ffffffff000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000")
RegDelete("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags")
Endif

If @OSVersion = "WIN_2000" The
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams",
"Settings", "REG_BINARY",
"09000000040000000000000000777e137335cf11ae6908002b2e12620300000001000000"
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults",
"{F3364BA0-65B9-11CE-A9BA-00AA004AE837}", "REG_BINARY",
"1c000000040000000000000000006c000000000001000000fffffffff0f0f0f0140003006c0000000000000030000000fddfdffd0e000400200010002800000000000000010000000200000003000000780060007800780000000000010000000200000003000000ffffffff")
Endif

Thanks in Advance,
Adrian
 
B

Brian K

Hello,

Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2, Windows 2003 AD Domain in Windows 2000 mode.

I've written a script that changes the windows explorer view to 'list'. It
works by writing values to the 'Streams' key in HKCU and seems to work fine
when I run this as an administrator.

Standard Users do not have access to the Tools-> Options in Windows Explorer
(disabled via Group Policy)

However, when I login as a non-administrator, the view is still 'icons'.
I have written a second script to interrogate the registry to verify that
the changes that I made had been written successfully - they had.

Given that the non-administrator user has group policy settings applied to
them, would this be the reason why my registry changes are not taking effect?

As far as I can tell, there is no mention of the 'Streams' key in the ADM
files that are applied to the client/user.

The following policies are applied to Windows Explorer and seem to update
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Do not track shell shortcuts during roaming
Hide these drives in My Computer
Hide Manage on Explorer contect menu
No 'Computers Near Me' in Network Places
No 'Entire Network' in Network Places
Prevent access to these drives in My Computer
Remove DFS, Hardware Tabs
Remove Search
Remove UI to change Keyboard navigation indicator and menu animation settings
Remove Folder Options on tools
Turn on Classic Shell

I have performed a test and updated my scripts to write to the 'Policies'
Key (by adding the user to an administrative group). The results were that
the registry entries were created, but again, no change was made in Windows
Explorer

Also I could not find a policy that defined the Windows Explorer view,
otherwise I would have used that as a method of setting the view for the user.

I've included below the script that modifies the registry - It does a check
for XP or 2000 as we have both clients in our environment.

Any help would be appreicated either in suggesting an alternative method of
changing the explorer view, or suggestions why the registry changes are not
being 'read' or 'applied' by users who have the GPO's applied.

Script: It's an AutoIT script......

;@OSVersion
;Returns one of the following: "WIN_2003", "WIN_XP", "WIN_2000", "WIN_NT4",
"WIN_ME", "WIN_98", "WIN_95"

If @OSVersion = "WIN_2003" OR "WIN_XP" Then
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams",
"Settings", "REG_BINARY",
"08000000040000000100000000777e137335cf11ae6908002b2e1262040000000200000043000000")
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults",
"{F3364BA0-65B9-11CE-A9BA-00AA004AE837}", "REG_BINARY",
"1c0000000400000000000000000090000000000001000000fffffffff0f0f0f014000300900000000000000030000000fddfdffd0f0004002000100028003c0000000000010000000200000003000000f50060007800780000000000010000000200000003000000ffffffff000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000")
RegDelete("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags")
Endif

If @OSVersion = "WIN_2000" Then
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams",
"Settings", "REG_BINARY",
"09000000040000000000000000777e137335cf11ae6908002b2e12620300000001000000")
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Defaults",
"{F3364BA0-65B9-11CE-A9BA-00AA004AE837}", "REG_BINARY",
"1c000000040000000000000000006c000000000001000000fffffffff0f0f0f0140003006c0000000000000030000000fddfdffd0e000400200010002800000000000000010000000200000003000000780060007800780000000000010000000200000003000000ffffffff")
Endif

Thanks in Advance,
Adrian
Click to expand...

I have a question. Why would you want to do this? Setting Windows
Explorer view can be done with a click-drag click on the View Icon.
If desired as the view throughout, it can be propagated through Folder
Options. I'd rather see your talents utilized scripting something that
takes 10 plus mouse clicks.
 
A

adrianr

Hey Brian,

I do want to implement this throughout, but users do not have access to
Tools/Options/Folder Options in Explorer. This has been removed via
Group Policy and I can't change that. The user environment has been locked
down so I need another way of achieving what could be done simply via the
'Folder Options'.

Thanks,

Adrian
 
J

ju.c

Aren't Folder View settings saved here?

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU


What if, logged on as Administrator, you "Reset All Folders", set your
"List View", then "Apply to All Folders", then copy the registry
settings from HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\
and incorporate into your script?


ju.c
 
A

adrianr

Hi,

I've seen various posts about where the settings are stored.
The ShellNoRoam seems to store settings for individual folders and this key
I believe is Windows XP only.
I have to implement this across Windows 2000 and Windows XP clients.

The 'Streams' seems to define/tell Explorer to not update the
ShellNoRoam/Bags (with the setting I used).
What is puzzling me is why my 'streams' change works as a user with no GPO
applied, but when I apply GPO,
the settings (whilst still set in the registry) do not seem to take effect.

I'll have a go with the 'ShellNoRoam' suggestion and see if that does the
job - Many Thanks for the suggestion!

Adrian
 
B

blugate

Hello,

Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2, Windows 2003 AD Domain in Windows 2000 mode.

I've written a script that changes the windows explorer view to 'list'.  It
works by writing values to the 'Streams' key in HKCU and seems to work fine
when I run this as an administrator.

Standard Users do not have access to the Tools-> Options in Windows Explorer
(disabled via Group Policy)

However, when I login as a non-administrator, the view is still 'icons'.
I have written a second script to interrogate the registry to verify that
the changes that I made had been written successfully - they had.

Given that the non-administrator user has group policy settings applied to
them, would this be the reason why my registry changes are not taking effect?

As far as I can tell, there is no mention of the 'Streams' key in the ADM
files that are applied to the client/user.

The following policies are applied to Windows Explorer and seem to update
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Do not track shell shortcuts during roaming
Hide these drives in My Computer
Hide Manage on Explorer contect menu
No 'Computers Near Me' in Network Places
No 'Entire Network' in Network Places
Prevent access to these drives in My Computer
Remove DFS, Hardware Tabs
Remove Search
Remove UI to change Keyboard navigation indicator and menu animation settings
Remove Folder Options on tools
Turn on Classic Shell

I have performed a test and updated my scripts to write to the 'Policies'
Key (by adding the user to an administrative group).  The results were that
the registry entries were created, but again, no change was made in Windows
Explorer

Also I could not find a policy that defined the Windows Explorer view,
otherwise I would have used that as a method of setting the view for the user.

I've included below the script that modifies the registry - It does a check
for XP or 2000 as we have both clients in our environment.

Any help would be appreicated either in suggesting an alternative method of
changing the explorer view, or suggestions why the registry changes are not
being 'read' or 'applied' by users who have the GPO's applied.

Script:  It's an AutoIT script......

;@OSVersion
;Returns one of the following: "WIN_2003", "WIN_XP", "WIN_2000", "WIN_NT4",
"WIN_ME", "WIN_98", "WIN_95"

If @OSVersion = "WIN_2003" OR "WIN_XP" Then
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explo­rer\Streams",
"Settings", "REG_BINARY",
"08000000040000000100000000777e137335cf11ae6908002b2e1262040000000200000043­000000")
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explo­rer\Streams\Defaults",
"{F3364BA0-65B9-11CE-A9BA-00AA004AE837}", "REG_BINARY",
"1c0000000400000000000000000090000000000001000000fffffffff0f0f0f01400030090­0000000000000030000000fddfdffd0f0004002000100028003c00000000000100000002000­00003000000f50060007800780000000000010000000200000003000000ffffffff00000000­0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000")
RegDelete("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags")
Endif

If @OSVersion = "WIN_2000" Then
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explo­rer\Streams",
"Settings", "REG_BINARY",
"09000000040000000000000000777e137335cf11ae6908002b2e12620300000001000000")
RegWrite("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explo­rer\Streams\Defaults",
"{F3364BA0-65B9-11CE-A9BA-00AA004AE837}", "REG_BINARY",
"1c000000040000000000000000006c000000000001000000fffffffff0f0f0f0140003006c­0000000000000030000000fddfdffd0e0004002000100028000000000000000100000002000­00003000000780060007800780000000000010000000200000003000000ffffffff")
Endif

Thanks in Advance,
Adrian
Click to expand...

HI!

I had the same problem, and finally I solved this way:

Navigate the registry to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
\Explorer]

and delete all entries except :

"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:00000091

close the registry, modify folder's view, apply to all folders.

Verify, it works!

I advise you to export the old registry key before to modify it, if
then works, up to you to create a batch file...

I hope this will help you

Best
Alessandro
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads

Script/regedit: Explorer-View-Arrange Icons by-Show In Groups... 2
Making folder Detail View stick for all folders 3
'Script' Explorer Details view for 'Default User' profile... 1
List of keys for the ...\Explorer\AppKey registry keys? 1
Windows 10 Hide Edge button in Internet Explorer 0
Windows Explorer opening folders in new window? 1
Default size for new Windows Explorer windows 2
removing 'log off' as a option 1

Top