Translate

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Automate printer deployment through group policy

With the advent of Windows Vista/7/10 and UAC, Microsoft provided a mechanism for IT administrators to enhance the security on their desktops while still having a mechanism to provided assistance when needed. It has also provided us the ability to granulize the sections of the OS that we allow end users to access. One of those areas is printer installations. Previously, if the drivers were not already on the workstation, you had to have administrative rights to install the printer. With the advent of UAC we can now allow non-administrators the proper rights to install printers without exposing the rest of the OS. 

To setup group policy to allow automatic drivers install we need to perform the following procedure.
Log on to a machine with the Group Policy Management Console installed.
Create a new policy in your Domain to hold the policy. Name it something similar to “Workstation Printer Deployment Configuration”
Open up the policy for Editing

Browse to Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options




Find the Policy Devices: Prevent Users from Installing Drivers – Select the check box to define this policy and then set it to disabled.




Now find the policy Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Printers


Find the policy in there labeled Point and Print Restrictions


Enable the policy and scroll down to Security Prompts.
Change downs to say, do not show warning or elevation prompt. This will enable windows vista users to install drivers w/o a UAC prompt (necessary for install at login). After that Click OK



Now browse down to user configuration and find the policy User Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Printers



Find the policy for Point and Print Restrictions.
Enable the policy and scroll down to Security Prompts.
Change downs to say, do not show warning or elevation prompt. This will enable windows vista users to install drivers w/o a UAC prompt (necessary for install at login). After that Click OK.


This will enable windows vista users to install drivers w/o a UAC prompt (necessary for install at login) In the same window, locate the policy, Prevent Addition of Printers.


Change that policy to disabled


Close out of the Policy Editor.
Now we need to place this policy on the domain. You need to apply it to a place that will apply both to all workstations and user objects, in my case the easiest was at the top of the domain root. Your mileage may vary on the location.

















Saturday, January 1, 2011

NTLDR is missing

Sometimes we get error boot "NTLDR" is missing while starting the machine. Here is the solution;
  • Start your PC and Boot using Windows Setup CD and enter into “Recovery Console” by pressing “R”.
  • Log into windows installation and enter admin password.
  • Enter following commands at prompt:
copy x:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy x:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

Note: "x" is your CD drive so change it accordingly.

A search window opens when we double click any folder/Drive.

We have noticed lot of times that whenever we double click any Drive or Folder, a Search window opens. if you are also experiencing the same than here are steps to resolve your issue.
  • Go to "Start"->"RUN"
  • Type "Regedit" and press enter
  • In the left pane select the below entries one by one
               HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT->Directory->shell
               HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT->Drive->shell
In right-side pane, delete the “Default” key. If it doesn’t work then delete the key “find” under both.

Search4Solutions24: Active Desktop Recovery Error

Search4Solutions24: Active Desktop Recovery Error: "If you get Active Desktop Recvover Error, Follow the below steps; Login into your machine, Click 'Start', go to 'Run', type 'RegEdit'. Locat..."

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

KeyBoard Shortcuts using "Windows" Key

Winkey    opens or closes the Start menu.
Winkey + BREAK displays the System Properties dialog box.
Winkey + TAB moves the focus to the next application in the taskbar.
Winkey + SHIFT + TAB moves the focus to the previous application in the taskbar.
Winkey + B moves the focus to the notification area.
Winkey + D shows the desktop.
Winkey + E opens Windows Explorer showing My Computer.
Winkey + F opens the Search panel.
Winkey + CTRL + F opens the Search panel with Search for Computers module selected.
Winkey + F1 opens Help.
Winkey + M minimizes all.
Winkey + SHIFT+ M undoes minimization.
Winkey + R opens Run dialog.
Winkey + U opens the Utility Manager.
Winkey + L Locks the System.

Applications Compatability settings in Windows-7 and Windows Vista

If you are notcing that applications are not compatible with Windows-7 or Windows Vista, follow the below steps to change the compatability settings:
  • Login into you machine.
  • Right Click the application or Setup program and Click "Properties".
  • Click "Compatability" Tab and Select the operating system as XP with Sp1/Sp2/Sp3.
  • Click Ok and start using the application.

Certificate Error in IE-7 and IE-8

Follw the below steps to resolve certificate error in IE-7 and IE-8

  • Login Into your machine.
  • open Internet Explorer, click "Tools" tab and select "Internet Options"
  • Select "Advanced" Tab and uncheck the boxes under security options.
Warn about Certificate address mismatch.
Check for publishers certification revocation.

Automate printer deployment through group policy

With the advent of Windows Vista/7/10 and UAC, Microsoft provided a mechanism for IT administrators to enhance the security on their deskto...