SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR MANAGING WINDOWS

Managing even a small number of machines can be time consuming, tedious, and error-prone. Automating these tasks helps to standardize your environment and free your time to focus on more advanced and interesting challenges.

Listed below by general category are just a few sample scripts to give you an idea of the possibilities automation offers. They are purely "home-grown,"; rough around the edges, and not officially supported in any capacity, but feel free to contact ucs_toolkit@email.rutgers.edu to exchange ideas or ask for clarification. For more background information, return to the Windows Patching and Security page.

(Note that most of these scripts are designed to run on the workstation you intend to modify / manage. However, you can use WMI to remotely launch them. See below.)

Windows Firewall / IPSec - for non-Active Directory environments

• Configure firewall policies via the registry (XP only)
• Configure firewall settings via the command line (XP only)
• Configure ipsec filters via the command line (XP / 2K)

ADSI (Active Directory Services Interface)

• Disable unwanted services
• Manage local user accounts

WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation)

• Remote command / script execution (poor man's SMS)
• Change PC name to serial number
• Inventory MSI software
• Reboot a machine
• Detect whether a PC is a laptop

Miscellaneous

• Schedule local and remote Tasks
• Modify ACLS
• Batch convert Excel files to text
• Create "CMD Prompt Here" context menu item (visible when right-clicking folder)
• Automate shortcut creation
• Disable Simple Filesharing (XP)

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