In this screencast I show you how to use the Group Policy Preferences Shortcuts Extension to deploy shortcuts to a users desktop. This video also demonstrates how you can configure the shortcut to only apply once for the users and how you can configure them to automatically be cleaned up when no longer required.
Screencast: How to use Group Policy Preferences to setup up Shortcuts
Screencast: How to use Group Policy Preferences to setup up Shortcuts http://ping.fm/MeJJb
Hi Alan, Great tutorial. Just thought I’d point out that you can disable an item in the right-click context menu if you go to the All Tasks sub-menu.
@Chris…. DOH!!! Yes… there is that way as well..
can you set a shortcut and prevent the user from deleting it using the gpo? Asking since I have used the old scripting methods to point the desktop to a shared folder on a dc/file server with an mandatory profile which would prevent them from changing the icons on the desktop.
Hi Allan,
I would like to know if there is a way to get shortcuts of applications to users desktop when they login using Group Policy. But the thing is applications are installed in the users computer (all the installation files will be only in the user’s computer). Is there a way I can have those applications shortcuts appear in the user’s desktop using GP? as the link to the file will be in the user’s computers. Please let me know.
Why would you make a tutorial video, and then make it private?
Hi Alan
Really great tutorial, just wondered if you could answer me one quick question, I want to use this policy but use a custom icon file for my office 365 portal. I know that I can use a custom icon but does this need to sit within the Windows/System32 folder on each workstation to apply correctly. I have the policy all setup and working and have applied to a couple of test users but cannot get the icon to display correctly.
Regards, Ricky
Thanks, very helpful. I ran into a problem whereby when you copy a shortcut it disables it. The shortcut was “greyed out”. Watching your video outlined how to disable shortcuts and re-enable them. I could not figure out that by copying a shortcut that the system automatically disables the shortcut. Now I know how to ensure it is operation able.