In this section I will
give you examples of how to build the VBScript to use in your logon script. I will help you chose which methods to use and which variables to change. There are two sections; one section specialises in
mapped network drives, while the other section deals with scripts for printers.
Please choose a Windows Logon Script to suit your particular task.
When I first saw Windows 2003, I investigated the new features. I wondered: 'How do I assign logon scripts to users?' I came up with two methods; the
traditional NT 4.0 style or assigning VBScripts via Active Directory Group Policies. (The traditional method was via the User's Properties, Profile tab.)
I even took a I step back
and asked the more fundamental question: 'What am I trying to achieve here?' The answer was, 'To provide users with the best environment for their work'. This lead me to investigate VBScript
methods for providing mapped network drives and connecting to shared printers.
Good news. Scripting possibilities improve dramatically when you progress from the old
DOS batch files, to the new WSH with its rich VBScript verbs. When you survey the big picture, you realize that Logon Scripts are only one of many jobs for WSH and VBScript. My point is that
knowledge of these scripting objects, syntax and methods will help you automate other computer tasks. As a bonus, if you master assigning Logon Scripts by Group Policy, then you will see how to apply
other settings using Group Policy (GPMC).
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' MNDUserName.vbs ' VBScript to map a network drive to the UserName. ' Author Guy Thomas http://computerperformance.co.uk/
' Version 1.3 - April 24th 2010 '
----------------------------------------------------' Option Explicit Dim objNetwork Dim strDriveLetter, strRemotePath, strUserName strDriveLetter = "J:" strRemotePath =
"\\grand\home"
' Purpose of script to create a network object. (objNetwork) ' Then to apply the MapNetworkDrive method. Result J: drive Set objNetwork = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Network")
' Here is where we extract the UserName strUserName = objNetwork.UserName objNetwork.MapNetworkDrive strDriveLetter, strRemotePath _ & "\" & strUserName
' Extra code just to add a message
box WScript.Echo " Launch Explorer, check: "& strDriveLetter WScript.Quit
' End of MapNetworkDrive Example logon script.
More Tasks for VBScript
WSH provides the objects, which our scripts then manipulate. Here are examples of the tasks that these objects and services can do for you:
Map network drives (Then assign to Logon Script)
Connect to printers (Then assign to Logon Script)
Manipulate Active Directory objects, e.g. Users passwords
Run basic functions such as CreateObject and GetObject
Modify environment variables e.g. Temp
Modify keys and values in the registry
Print a message to a Message Box on screen
Combine with WMI to measure and automate the operating system
Guy Recommends: SolarWinds' Free Bulk Import Tool
Import users from a spreadsheet. Just provide a list of the
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Then launch this FREE utility and match your fields with AD's
attributes, click and import the users.
Windows Scripting Host is aptly named; think of WSH as a butler who pampers their guests. When a logon script arrives from the
dedicated server,
WSH makes sure that all the objects and services that the script needs are available. It also
checks discretely for security and passes the script to the appropriate script engine, for example, ActiveX.
WSH is ideal for non-interactive scripting jobs, such as logon configuration, administrative scripting, or machine automation. Let me take you on a journey where you create mapped network drives or
printers. Together we will study examples of VBScripts, object, method and properties model.
Try PowerShell for Logon Scripts
You may have noticed that VBScript is being phased out in favour of
PowerShell. Although PowerShell is used primarily for interrogating
the OS, it's possible to employ cmdlets to
configure the users' environment. The best method is to create a
ComObject, which acts as a wrapper for familiar VBScript commands. Here is
example of PowerShell's New-Object cmdlet manipulating MapNetworkDrive:
You could save the above commands into a .ps1 file. However, the
tricky part is executing this .ps1 file as a logon script. I have
more information here:
PowerShell logon script and Group Policy.
»
Window 8 Group Policy Drive Maps
The modern group policy method of drive mapping does not require any
scripting. In Windows Server 2008 you can launch the Group Policy
Management Console and configure Drive Maps by clicking with a mouse.
See more on Windows 8 Group
Policy Drive Maps.
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Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is
most useful for PowerShell scripting.
SolarWinds
have produced this
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WMI counters to use for applications like Microsoft Active Directory,
SQL or Exchange Server.
