shortcut on desktop

[Thomas]

I have an application on the server, the goal is: The user logs on to any XP
or Windows 2000 workstation and there is a (desktop shortcut to the
application) on the server.

Is the only way to make a roaming profile, or is it possible to just create
a shortcut in a logon script.

If this would not work (logon script) does some one know why, and if only a
roaming profile can be
used why.

The only thing necessary for this user is this shortcut to the server app,
nothing else. I have a gut feeling
it can be done.

 

[Michael Bednarek]

I have an application on the server, the goal is: The user logs on to any XP
or Windows 2000 workstation and there is a (desktop shortcut to the
application) on the server.

Is the only way to make a roaming profile, or is it possible to just create
a shortcut in a logon script.

If this would not work (logon script) does some one know why, and if only a
roaming profile can be
used why.

The only thing necessary for this user is this shortcut to the server app,
nothing else. I have a gut feeling
it can be done.

Try this: make the shortcut on the server in a location to which all
users have Read access. In the login script, determine whether the
shortcut already exists on the user's desktop; if not copy it there.
E.g.:

IF NOT EXIST "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\theshortcut.LNK" COPY "\\server\path\theshortcut.LNK" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\"

 

[Thomas]

Try this: make the shortcut on the server in a location to which all
users have Read access. In the login script, determine whether the
shortcut already exists on the user's desktop; if not copy it there.
E.g.:

IF NOT EXIST "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\theshortcut.LNK" COPY
"\\server\path\theshortcut.LNK" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\"

Followed your instruction, got it to work form the desktop or the logon
scripts folder. Either direction.
I made a group and added a user to test it and it work perfectly. Nice to
see that shortcut
pop up. This is probably a dumb question but, as a learning experience is
there a way to do the
same without UNC path. Can the server push the script to the user desktop
with out it being a share.
maintaining the If Not exist. Don't get me wrong I am elated. just a
thought.
Jerry

 

[Michael Bednarek]

Followed your instruction, got it to work form the desktop or the logon
scripts folder. Either direction.
I made a group and added a user to test it and it work perfectly. Nice to
see that shortcut
pop up. This is probably a dumb question but, as a learning experience is
there a way to do the
same without UNC path. Can the server push the script to the user desktop
with out it being a share.
maintaining the If Not exist. Don't get me wrong I am elated. just a
thought.

I'm not quite sure what you mean. Of course you can replace the UNC path
for the source to a mapped drive letter *IF* that drive letter exists
for the user at that time. However, I don't know how the drive letters
for users are created in your environment, so the UNC method is usually
safer.

If you want to push the shortcut from the server, you would have to
determine where the user's %USERPROFILE% is - not trivial. It's much
simpler to COPY from the user's context.

 

[Thomas]

Copying from the user context works effectively.

Michael thank you again for your help, your solution is right on.