Archive - December 2012

"Everywhere in life, there true question is not what we gain, but what we do." - Thomas Carlyle

Index

Remove Orphaned Reg Keys
Windows 8 Shortcut to Launch Start Screen
Windows 8 Remove Windows Store
Enable AutoLogin
Return IP Address
Remove Autologon
Compress a Folder

Uncompress a Folder
Split Text Files
Install Google Talk Plugin
List Print Commands
Find PST on Computers

Δ Monday, December 31st, 2012

Δ Remove Orphaned Reg Keys

How to search and delete reg keys

[download resource files]

Have you ever uninstalled an app but realized the app was still showing in Add/Remove Programs?
This will help you get rid of multiple hive keys that use the same DisplayName in the registry.

'REMOVE ORPHANED KEYS
On error resume Next
 
Dim strName, WshShell, oReg, keyname
 
Const HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE = &H80000002
 strComputer = "."
 
'=================================================
 'Change the value here with DisplayName's value
 strName = "YOUR APP NAME HERE"
 '================================================
 Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
 Set oReg=GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\default:StdRegProv")
 strKeyPath = "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall"
 oReg.EnumKey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, strKeyPath, arrSubKeys
 For Each subkey In arrSubKeys
  keyname = ""
     keyname = wshshell.RegRead("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\" & subkey & "\DisplayName")
  If keyname = strName then
   i = subkey
  End If
 Next
 
If i Then
  'MsgBox "DELETE GOES HERE"
  WshShell.Run "reg.exe DELETE " & chr(34) & "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\" & i & chr(34) & " /f",0,false
  End If
 
Set WshShell = Nothing
set ObjReg = Nothing

Δ [email me]

Δ Tuesday, December 25th, 2012

Δ Windows 8 Shortcut to Launch Start Screen

How to add a custom shortcut to access the start screen

[download resource files]

I've been spending some time testing Windows 8 and Server 2012 lately, mostly on
virtual machines. If you've worked with either OS in a VM (or even Remote Desktop),
you may have noticed the challenge in hitting the start screen button…the orb. It is very easy on
a real monitor, because you simply move the mouse to the bottom-left corner of the screen. But
on a VM, you can quickly move from the bottom-left corner of the VM to the applications on
'the real' system. So to make this a little easier for myself, I created a shortcut to launch the
start screen:

All that's required is a simple VBScript using "Sendkeys." Here's the code:

Save as startscreen.vbs
Create a shortcut on the desktop
Change icon if you would like
Add shortcut to the taskbar

Δ [email me]

Δ Monday, December 24th, 2012

Δ Windows 8 Remove Windows Store

How to remove a Windows 8 tile

[download resource files]

Have you seen the Windows 8 Store tile? Do you want it removed? This is how you do it.

<#
The sample scripts are not supported under any Microsoft standard support 
program or service. The sample scripts are provided AS IS without warranty  
of any kind. Microsoft further disclaims all implied warranties including,  
without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or of fitness for 
a particular purpose. The entire risk arising out of the use or performance of  
the sample scripts and documentation remains with you. In no event shall 
Microsoft, its authors, or anyone else involved in the creation, production, or 
delivery of the scripts be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, 
without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, 
loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use 
of or inability to use the sample scripts or documentation, even if Microsoft 
has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
#>

#requires -Version 3
Import-LocalizedData -BindingVariable Messages

Function New-OSCPSCustomErrorRecord
{
	#This function is used to create a PowerShell ErrorRecord
	[CmdletBinding()]
	Param
	(		
		[Parameter(Mandatory=$true,Position=1)][String]$ExceptionString,
		[Parameter(Mandatory=$true,Position=2)][String]$ErrorID,
		[Parameter(Mandatory=$true,Position=3)][System.Management.Automation.ErrorCategory]$ErrorCategory,
		[Parameter(Mandatory=$true,Position=4)][PSObject]$TargetObject
	)
	Process
	{
		$exception = New-Object System.Management.Automation.RuntimeException($ExceptionString)
		$customError = New-Object System.Management.Automation.ErrorRecord($exception,$ErrorID,$ErrorCategory,$TargetObject)
		return $customError
	}
}
	
function Remove-OSCAppxPackage
{
	<#
		.SYNOPSIS
			The Remove-OSCAppxPackage command will remove Windows Store Appx packages.

.DESCRIPTION
			This command can help you to remove several Windows Store Apps at one time.  
			
		.EXAMPLE
			PS C:\> Remove-OSCAppxPackage
			
			Description
			-----------
			List all Windows Store apps, and remove the apps specified by user.
		
		.LINK
			Windows PowerShell Advanced Function
			http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd315326.aspx
		
		.LINK
			Get-AppxPackage
			http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh856044.aspx
			
		.LINK
			Remove-AppxPackage
			http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh856038.aspx	
	#>
	[CmdletBinding(SupportsShouldProcess=$true,ConfirmImpact="High")]
	param
	()
	process
	{
		$index=1
		$apps=Get-AppxPackage
		#return entire listing of applications 
		Write-Host "ID`t App name"
		foreach ($app in $apps)
		{
			Write-Host " $index`t $($app.name)"
			$index++
		}
		$IDs=Read-Host -Prompt "Which Apps do you want to remove? `nInput their IDs and seperate IDs by comma"
		#check whether input values are correct
		try
		{	
			[int[]]$IDs=$IDs -split ","
		}
		catch
		{
			$errorMsg = $Messages.IncorrectInput
			$errorMsg = $errorMsg -replace "Placeholder01",$IDs
			$customError = New-OSCPSCustomErrorRecord `
			-ExceptionString $errorMsg `
			-ErrorCategory NotSpecified -ErrorID 1 -TargetObject $pscmdlet
			$pscmdlet.WriteError($customError)
			return
		}
		foreach ($ID in $IDs)
		{
			#check id is in the range
			if ($ID -ge 1 -and $ID -le $apps.count)
			{
				$ID--
				#Remove each app
				$AppName=$apps[$ID].name
				if($PSCmdlet.ShouldProcess("$AppName"))
				{
					Remove-AppxPackage -Package $apps[$ID] 
					if (-not(Get-AppxPackage -Name $AppName))
					{
						Write-Host "$AppName has been removed successfully"
					}
					else
					{
						Write-Host "Remove $AppName failed!"
					}
				}
			}
			else
			{
				$errorMsg = $Messages.WrongID
				$errorMsg = $errorMsg -replace "Placeholder01",$ID
				$customError = New-OSCPSCustomErrorRecord `
				-ExceptionString $errorMsg `
				-ErrorCategory NotSpecified -ErrorID 1 -TargetObject $pscmdlet
				$pscmdlet.WriteError($customError)
			}
		}
	}
}

Δ [email me]

Δ Friday, December 21st, 2012

Δ Enable AutoLogin

How to auto login to your computer

[download resource files]

Have you ever wanted to just bypass the initial logon? This is how you do it with PowerShell.
Make sure you add your credentials in the script.

<#  
.SYNOPSIS  
    This script defines a function that sets autologon  
.DESCRIPTION  
    Autologon enables the system to logon after a reboot without  
    you needing to enter credentials. This is an ideal scenario  
    for lab or training room systems. This script defines  
    a function that sets a userid/password and autologon. It does NOT  
    check to see if the value entries already exist.  
.NOTES  
    File Name  : New-AdminLogon  
    Requires   : PowerShell Version 2.0  
.LINK  
.EXAMPLE  
    Psh> New-AdminLogon -user DOMAINNAME\USERNAME -password 'YOURPASSWORDHERE'  
    Auto logon set for [DOMAINNAME\USERNAME] with password: [YOURPASSWORDHERE]           
  
#>  
  
Function New-AdminLogon {  
  
[cmdletbinding()]  
Param(  
[string] $User     = $(Throw 'No user id specified'),  
[string] $Password = $(Throw 'No password specified')  
)  
  
# Define registry path for autologon  
$RegPath = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon'  
  
# Set autologon  
New-ItemProperty -Path $RegPath -Name AutoAdminLogon -Value 1 -EA 0  
  
# Set userid and password  
New-ItemProperty -Path $RegPath -Name DefaultUserName -Value $User -EA 0  
New-ItemProperty -Path $regPath -Name DefaultPassword -Value $Password -EA 0  
  
# Say nice things and exit!  
Write-Host ("Auto logon set for [{0}] with password: [{1}]" -f $user, $password)  
}  
  
Set-AdminLogon -User 'DOMAINNAME\USERNAME' -Password 'YOURPASSWORDHERE'

Δ [email me]

Δ Thursday, December 20th, 2012

Δ Return IP Address

How to return ip address using powershell

[download resource files]

Demo

Simple PowerShell script to return IP Address.

<#  
.SYNOPSIS  
    Gets and displays the IP address of a computer  
.DESCRIPTION  
    This script uses Win32_NetworkAdapterConfiguration to  
    obtain, then display, a system's IP addresses.  
    NB: this only works on XP or later versions of Windows.  
.NOTES  
    File Name : Get-IPAddress.ps1  
    Requires : PowerShell V2  
.EXAMPLE  
    [ps] c:\foo> .\Get-IPAddress.ps1  
    IP Address   : 10.10.1.115  
    IP Address   : fe80::3953:f67b:2f1c:1323  
    IP Address   : 10.10.1.120  
    IP Address   : fe80::d8ed:afe2:2a97:a596
    4 IP addresses found on this system
#>  
    
##  
# Start of Script  
##  
    
# Get Networking Adapter Configuration  
$Computer = "."  
$IPconfigset = Get-WmiObject Win32_NetworkAdapterConfiguration  
    
# Iterate and get IP address  
$count = 0  
foreach ($IPConfig in $IPConfigSet) {  
   if ($Ipconfig.IPaddress) {  
      foreach ($addr in $Ipconfig.Ipaddress) {  
      "IP Address   : {0}" -f  $addr;  
      $count++   
      }  
   }  
}  
if ($count -eq 0) {"No IP addresses found"}  
else {"$Count IP addresses found on this system"}  
#End of Script

Δ [email me]

Δ Wednesday, December 19th, 2012

Δ Remove Autologon

How to remove auto logon

[download resource files]

This will remove the autologon functionality.

Δ [email me]

Δ Monday, December 17th, 2012

Δ Compress a Folder

How to use windows to compress folder

[download resource files]

Demo

This will compress a windows folder to save space on your had drive.

'Compresses the folder C:\Scripts. strComputer = "." Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" _ & "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2") Set colFolders = objWMIService.ExecQuery _ ("Select * from Win32_Directory where name = 'c:\\Scripts'") For Each objFolder in colFolders errResults = objFolder.Compress Wscript.Echo errResults Next

Δ [email me]

Δ Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

Δ Uncompress a Folder

How to use windows to uncompress a folder

[download resource files]

Demo

This will uncompress a folder that has been compressed to save space.

Δ [email me]

Δ Tuesday, December 11th, 2012

Δ Split Text Files

How to split a large text file

[download resource files]

Demo

Have you ever had large text file that needed to split into smaller files? That's exactly what this script will allow you to do.

Δ [email me]

Δ Monday, December 10th, 2012

Δ Install Google Talk Plugin

How to install google plugin using the msi and a batch file

[download resource files]

Google isn't known for their packaging software skills (most of their software gets installed into a
single user profile---which is bad for enterprise use). So when I receive a Google app, I usually have
to prep it for enterprise use. This plugin wasn't too bad...and thus the script is pretty simple.

REM TO BE USED FOR SYSTEM ACCOUNT INSTALLATION VIA LANDESK

@Echo on
title Administrative Installation by Eddie Jackson
color 0a
set CurDir=%cd%

set UserN=%username%

if [%UserN%] EQU [] set UserN=landesk
if [%UserN%] EQU %computername% set UserN=landesk

REM STOP WINDOWS UPDATE SERVICE
%windir%\system32\net.exe stop wuauserv

REM CLEARS PENDING REQUESTS
%windir%\system32\REG.exe DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager" /v "PendingFileRenameOperations" /f
%windir%\system32\REG.exe DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet1\Control\Session Manager" /v "PendingFileRenameOperations" /f
%windir%\system32\REG.exe DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet2\Control\Session Manager" /v "PendingFileRenameOperations" /f
%windir%\system32\REG.exe DELETE "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet3\Control\Session Manager" /v "PendingFileRenameOperations" /f

REM KILLS CURRENT TASKs
%windir%\system32\taskkill.exe /f /im iexplore.exe
%windir%\system32\taskkill.exe /f /im firefox.exe
%windir%\system32\taskkill.exe /f /im chrome.exe

REM REMOVE OLD VERSIONS
Rem none

REM INSTALLATION METHOD 1 - LANDESK INSTALLATION

rem win 7
if exist "C:\Program Files (x86)\LANDesk\LDClient\sdmcache\apps\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212\googletalkpluginaccel.msi" (
REM CREATE EVENT LOG
%windir%\system32\EVENTCREATE.exe /T INFORMATION /ID 777 /d "Software Packaging Engineer: Google Chat Plugin 3.0.2925 package installation STARTED by LANDesk" 
md "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google"
md "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\ChatPlugin"
md "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212"
copy /v /y "C:\Program Files (x86)\LANDesk\LDClient\sdmcache\apps\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212\googletalkpluginaccel.msi" "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212"
%windir%\system32\msiexec.exe /i "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212\googletalkpluginaccel.msi" /qn /norestart
goto :version
)

rem win xp
if exist "C:\Program Files\LANDesk\LDClient\sdmcache\apps\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212\googletalkpluginaccel.msi" (
REM CREATE EVENT LOG
%windir%\system32\EVENTCREATE.exe /T INFORMATION /ID 777 /d "Software Packaging Engineer: Google Chat Plugin 3.0.2925 package installation STARTED by LANDesk" 
md "C:\Program Files\Google"
md "C:\Program Files\Google\ChatPlugin"
md "C:\Program Files\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212"
copy /v /y "C:\Program Files\LANDesk\LDClient\sdmcache\apps\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212\googletalkpluginaccel.msi" "C:\Program Files\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212"
%windir%\system32\msiexec.exe /i "C:\Program Files\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212\googletalkpluginaccel.msi" /qn /norestart
goto :version
)

REM INSTALLATION METHOD 2 - LOCAL INSTALLATION
REM INSTALL SILENT
rem copy source files to directory
rem win 7
if exist "C:\Progra~2" (
REM CREATE EVENT LOG
%windir%\system32\EVENTCREATE.exe /T INFORMATION /ID 777 /d "Software Packaging Engineer: Google Chat Plugin 3.0.2925 package installation STARTED by %UserN%" 
md "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google"
md "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\ChatPlugin"
md "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212"
copy /v /y "%CurDir%\googletalkpluginaccel.msi" "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212"
%windir%\system32\msiexec.exe /i "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212\googletalkpluginaccel.msi" /qn /norestart

rem START WINDOWS UPDATE SERVICE
%windir%\system32\net.exe start wuauserv
goto :version
)

rem win xp
if exist "C:\Progra~1" (
REM CREATE EVENT LOG
%windir%\system32\EVENTCREATE.exe /T INFORMATION /ID 777 /d "Software Packaging Engineer: Google Chat Plugin 3.0.2925 package installation STARTED by %UserN%" 
md "C:\Program Files\Google"
md "C:\Program Files\Google\ChatPlugin"
md "C:\Program Files\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212"
copy /v /y "%CurDir%\googletalkpluginaccel.msi" "C:\Program Files\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212"
%windir%\system32\msiexec.exe /i "C:\Program Files\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212\googletalkpluginaccel.msi" /qn /norestart
rem START WINDOWS UPDATE SERVICE
%windir%\system32\net.exe start wuauserv
goto :version
)

:version
if exist "C:\Program Files\LANDesk\" %windir%\system32\REG.exe ADD "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MYSOFTWARE\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212" /v InstallDate /d "%date% %time%" /t REG_SZ /f
if exist "C:\Program Files\LANDesk\" %windir%\system32\REG.exe ADD "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MYSOFTWARE\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212" /v InstalledBy /d "%UserN%" /t REG_SZ /f

if exist "C:\Program Files (x86)\LANDesk\" %windir%\system32\REG.exe ADD "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\MYSOFTWARE\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212" /v InstallDate /d "%date% %time%" /t REG_SZ /f
if exist "C:\Program Files (x86)\LANDesk\" %windir%\system32\REG.exe ADD "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\MYSOFTWARE\Google\ChatPlugin\3.10.2.10212" /v InstalledBy /d "%UserN%" /t REG_SZ /f

REM CREATE EVENT LOG
%windir%\system32\EVENTCREATE.exe /T INFORMATION /ID 777 /d "Software Packaging Engineer: Google Chat Plugin 3.0.2925 package installation COMPLETED SUCCCESSULLY" 
pause
exit /b 0

Δ [email me]

Δ Friday, December 7th, 2012

Δ List Print Commands

How to list the hidden print commands

[download resource files]

Demo

Did you know that many apps have the abillty to directly accept and print a print job? This script will
show you all the applications and their associated print methods. Pretty nice if you need to automate
a print job for a specific application.

' usage: cscript FILE.VBS > PrintToCommands.txt

Option Explicit

Dim arrAssoc, arrKeys, arrSubKeys
Dim i, j
Dim objDic, objReg
Dim strFileType, strLine, strKey, strSubKey, strSubSubKey, strValue

Const HKCR = &H80000000

' No command line arguments required
If WScript.Arguments.Count > 0 Then Syntax

Set objReg = GetObject( "winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!//./root/default:StdRegProv" )
Set objDic = CreateObject( "Scripting.Dictionary" )

' List all keys in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive
objReg.EnumKey HKCR, "", arrKeys

For i = 0 To UBound( arrKeys )
	' Store registered extensions and their associated file types in a dictionary
	If Left( arrKeys(i), 1 ) = "." Then
		objReg.GetStringValue HKCR, arrKeys(i), "", strFileType
		objDic.Item( strFileType) = arrKeys(i)
	End If
	' Check if any commands are available for a file type
	strSubKey = arrKeys(i) & "\shell"
	objReg.EnumKey HKCR, strSubKey, arrSubKeys
	If IsArray( arrSubKeys ) Then
		strLine = ""
		For j = 0 To UBound( arrSubKeys )
			If Left( LCase( arrSubKeys(j) ), 5 ) = "print" Then
				' Skip DDE print commands
				strSubSubKey = arrKeys(i) & "\shell\" & arrSubKeys(j) & "\ddeexec"
				objReg.GetStringValue HKCR, strSubSubKey, "", strValue
				If Trim( strValue ) <> "" Then Exit For
				' Display the print command
				strSubSubKey = arrKeys(i) & "\shell\" & arrSubKeys(j) & "\command"
				objReg.GetStringValue HKCR, strSubSubKey, "", strValue
				strFileType = Split( strSubSubKey, "\" )(0)
				WScript.Echo objDic.Item( strFileType ) & vbTab _
				           & strFileType   & vbTab _
				           & arrSubKeys(j) & vbTab & strValue
			End If
		Next
	End If
	arrSubKeys = ""
Next

Set objDic = Nothing
Set objReg = Nothing

Sub Syntax
	WScript.Echo vbCrLf _
	           & "GetPrint.vbs,  Version 2.01" _
	           & vbCrLf _
	           & "List Print and PrintTo commands for all registered file types" _
	           & vbCrLf & vbCrLf _
	           & "Usage:  CSCRIPT.EXE  //NoLogo  GETPRINT.VBS" _
	           & vbCrLf & vbCrLf _
	           & "Notes:  Only one file extension will be listed for each registered file type." _
	           & vbCrLf _
	           & "        This script will list (non-DDE) print commands for all registered file" _
	           & vbCrLf _
	           & "        types.  To find print commands for a specific file type, use ASSOC and" _
	           & vbCrLf _
	           & "        FINDSTR.  E.g. to find the print commands for font files (*.fon):" _
	           & vbCrLf & vbCrLf _
	           & "        ASSOC .fon" _
	           & vbCrLf & vbCrLf _
	           & "        .fon=fonfile" _
	           & vbCrLf & vbCrLf _
	           & "        CSCRIPT GETPRINT.VBS | FINDSTR /R /I /B /C:""fonfile""" _
	           & vbCrLf & vbCrLf _
	           & "        .fon    fonfile    print    C:\WINDOWS\System32\fontview.exe /p %1"

WScript.Quit 1
End Sub

Δ [email me]

Δ Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Δ Find PST on Computers

How to search for a pst using PowerShell

[download resource files]

Demo

This uses PowerShell to find a PSTs and log their paths. It uses a computer list text file to search for PSTs.

$strComputers = Get-Content -Path "C:\computernames.txt"
[bool]$firstOutput = $true
foreach($strComputer in $strComputers)
{
$colFiles = Get-Wmiobject -namespace "root\CIMV2" -computername $strComputer -Query "Select * from CIM_DataFile Where Extension = 'pst'"
foreach ($objFile in $colFiles)
{
if($objFile.FileName -ne $null)
{
$filepath = $objFile.Drive + $objFile.Path + $objFile.FileName + "." + $objFile.Extension;
$query = "ASSOCIATORS OF {Win32_LogicalFileSecuritySetting='" + $filepath `
+ "'} WHERE AssocClass=Win32_LogicalFileOwner ResultRole=Owner"

$colOwners = Get-Wmiobject -namespace "root\CIMV2" -computername $strComputer -Query $query
$objOwner = $colOwners[0]
$user = $objOwner.ReferencedDomainName + "\" + $objOwner.AccountName
$output = $strComputer + "," + $filepath + "," + $user + "," + $objFile.FileSize/1KB + "," + $objFile.LastModified
if($firstOutput)
{
Write-output $output | Out-File -Encoding ascii -filepath "C:\pstdetails.csv"
$firstOutput = $false
}
else
{
Write-output $output | Out-File -Encoding ascii -filepath "C:\pstdetails.csv" -append
}
}
}
}

Δ [email me]

About

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   Systems Engineer

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