Using GPOs to create shortcuts

Using GPOs to create shortcuts
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753580.aspx

ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT

The property ARPSYSTEMCOMPONENT = 1 prevents the Programs and Features entry from appearing.  Setting it to 0 in a transform may not work though.  It may be necessary to remove the entire property table row to enable the display of the item in the Programs and Features applet.

Custom Action Ref

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa372048(v=vs.85).aspx

Capture Exclusions

This has item has been copied from
http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/registry-keys-and-files-be-excluded

There is a situation that happens where we all get confused while working on excluding lists.
Then when you complete a Setup Capture, the resulting package contains both necessary and unnecessary information and entries for the installation. The unnecessary information should be removed so it is important to know which entries are extra and what information is not important.

This is where having a concise Exclusion list becomes invaluable in ensuring that only non-essential keys and files are removed from the MSI.

Exclusion List

An Exclusion list of Files and Registry Keys has been compiled over time and is constantly being amended and updated. The following is said list as it currently stands.
Search the Database for the following list of items below. Go to the Setup Editor > Tables Right Click > Find.

Files to Exclude

As a general rule a repackaged application should not contain the following. Check updated list for each project:

• References to the computer name the product was scripted/compiled on eg. ABSCRIPT
• References to a particular user name.
• References to a particular domain/server i.e. 'Iloscr#'
• Presence of any setup executables or files. (setup.exe)
• Presence of any .REG files
• folders of files referring to WISE Solutions or InstallShield particularly under HKCU
• Config.sys
• Autoexec.bat
• User.dat
• User.da0
• .iss files
• .isu files
• uninst.exe (or deinstall) (we do not want end-users to have access to uninstall files)
• uninstall.exe (or deinstall)
• .tmp files
• Unnecessary .log files
• Pagefile.sys
• C:\Temp (this temporary folder should never contain info. needed by an application)
• C:\WINNT\RECENT (this area contains links to recently used data files)
• C:\WINNT\Debug
• C:\WINNT\Tasks
• C:\WINNT\System32\NtmsData
• C:\WINNT\dllcache

Registry Keys to Exclude

As a general rule a repackaged application should not contain the following registry keys. Check updated list for each project:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER settings
• HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLL's
• HKLM\Software\Description\Microsoft\Rpc\UuidPersistentData\
• HKLM\Software\Program Groups\
• HKLM\Software\Classes\
• HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
• HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WinLogon
• HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Mounted Devices
• HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Cryptography
• HKLM\Software\Microsoft\DRM
• HKLM\Software\Novell
• HKLM\Hardware\
• HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\
• HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\
• HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\hardwareProfiles\
• HKLM\System\ControlSet000\
• HKLM\System\ControlSet001\
• HKLM\System\ControlSet002\
• HKLM\System\ControlSet003\
• HKLM\System\ControlSet004\
• HKLM\System\ControlSet005\
• HKLM\System\ControlSet006\
• HKLM\System\Clone
• HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NICSHORTNAME\Parameters\Tcpip "NICSHORTNAME" will be something like "EL09x1"
• HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NWCWorkstation
• HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\DHCP
• HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\VCACHE
• HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\kmixer\Enum
• HKLM\System\Select
• HKLM\CLONE
• HKLM\SAM
• HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Syncmgr\Autosync
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Volatile Environment
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet\Explorer\Toolbar\Shellbrowser
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Syncmgr\Handlers
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\...MRU

Determine an AD object's OU

Open the AD Users and Computers plugin and use the find function to locate the object you are searching for.

Once located select View_Add/Remove Columns and add Published At.

The object details will then include a reference to the OU the object resides in.