Here is a common scenario. You are deploying an operating system using MDT Lite Touch, during the deployment you install some user specific applications. However the users think that the deployment is completed an they close the application installs or perhaps start messing with the machine while it is still logged in as the local administrator. Now you could simply inform the user that they should not touch the computer until the deployment is completed. However in my experience this “don’t touch” approach has not always been 100% successful.
Well now we have a better way, you can hide explorer shell while MDT is “doing it’s thing”!
So how do we do this? It is simple, just add the following line to the customsettings.ini file:
HIDESHELL=YES
I have included before and after shots below:
Look explorer…
,
No explorer…. that’s better!
P.S. The exclamation marks are for you Rod
This post was contributed by Ben Hunter, a Senior Program Manager for MDT with Microsoft
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, confers no rights, and is not supported by the authors or Microsoft Corporation. Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified in the Terms of Use
MDT 2012: New Features – Hide Shell - The Deployment Guys - Site Home - TechNet Blogs Here is
Great feature, used to lock the workstation with the rundll trick but this is definitely better!
These are STILL my errors! The improvments are on UI, the backend still prone to these errors.. Yes, lots of "suggestion" on TechNet but most dont work!
Sorry - I have had nothing but horrors with MDT (2010, 2012 Beta 1, 2012 Beta 2)
----
A connection to the deployment share could not be made.
social.technet.microsoft.com/.../1c2a306d-e38d-4347-8761-3810513a139e
social.technet.microsoft.com/.../4c2a9586-2879-4e94-ba23-30d908347cd2
MDT Deploy Windows 7 - Domain Join Failed
social.technet.microsoft.com/.../152aba62-5442-45d6-a626-7454838d5dd5
There is not enough space on the disk error
social.technet.microsoft.com/.../389c64d9-6189-4e5d-8aac-fc8a445d6155
Invalid Credentials error: Even if you enter correct id, password, with or without domain prefix
social.technet.microsoft.com/.../303d2dbe-c6ff-4ec8-8e9b-edb140223bcd
social.technet.microsoft.com/.../d2ddf7bd-6e75-48a1-8b7f-f96e6d93ddeb
Access denied when running LiteTouch.VBS to Sysprep and Capture W7
social.technet.microsoft.com/.../4df4405b-98f6-40d5-847c-17555f751bab
Oh thank you!!!
Hi Amy,
The errors you are describing are all errors that should be easily fixed but I don't want to trivalize your issues. So feel free to email me directly at ben dot hunter at microsoft dot com and I would be happy to help you out. I am vacation without email for the next week with no access to email but will reply after that.
Lets make this horror show go away :).
Thanks,
Ben
Is the final release available for download?
It will be released at the same time as ConfigfigMgr 2012.
It would be very useful if there were were a UI for all these customsettings.ini settings ...
I may upgrade to 2012 solely for this feature! Unless you're willing to share how to make this do-able in 2010.
Is it possible to (automatically) sort applications in the deployment UI alphabetically in MDT 2012? It's one of my pet peeves ...
Hi LookingForSolutions,
We are currently looking at this feature. Keep tuned :).
/Ben
@LookingForSolutions
Keith Garner, has created a small application to sort your applications from a deployment share (also for task sequences itself)
For a small guide look at his post on:
deployment.xtremeconsulting.com/.../mdt-2010-application-ordering-new-tool
While the links aren't working anymore, you can get the files from his Skydrive:
cid-5407b03614346a99.office.live.com/.../MDT2010Ordering.zip
I've tested these tools on the 2012 beta, and they still worked.
Kind regards,
Stephan Schwarz.
MDT 2012 support XP sucessfully ?
MDT 2102 does support XP.
Is there any way to hide the command prompt that is behind the Task Sequence UI while HideShell is active?