Auto logoff (not shutdown) Win2K workstations??? Help!

[jonoman123]

Is there a way to make workstations automatically logoff after 15 (or more or less) minutes of inactivity? I don't want them to shut down and/or restart, nor do I want them to automatically lock the workstation. I strictly need them to logoff. I found this tool that looks likes it would work, except I don't see a countdown timer on it

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/psshutd...

I only need four workstations out of my whole domain to be able to do this, so if it's a local batch file, that's even better than broadcasting a through logon scripts. I don't care either way. Muchas Gracias!

 

[bcastner]

The Winexit screensaver does exactly this. It has been found in the Resource Kit since Windows NT. The Win2k Resource Kit download for Winexit:

http://www.dynawell.com/reskit/microsoft/win2000/winexit.zip

How to Configure the Winexit.scr Screen Saver:

Use Windows Explorer to locate the Winexit.scr file in the Windows 2000 Resource Kit folder on your hard disk.
Right-click the Winexit.scr file, and then click Install.
The Display Properties dialog box appears with the Screen Saver tab active. The Logoff Screen Saver entry is automatically selected. Click Settings.
Select the Force application termination check box to force programs to quit.
In the Countdown for n seconds box, type the number of seconds for which the logoff dialog box appears before the user is logged off.
In the Logoff Message box, type the message that appears during the logoff countdown. Click OK.
In the Display Properties dialog box, click Preview.
You see the Auto Logoff dialog box. It displays the logoff message and the countdown timer. Click Cancel.
Click OK.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q314999

http://www.win2000mag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=4541

 

[jonoman123]

I tried it and it works! Couldn't ask for anything easier to install. Thanks for the help bcastner!

 

[bcastner]

You are very welcome.
Bill Castner

 

[jonoman123]

Hey bcastner (or anyone else)... Any way to enforce this for all users on a PC? Without a policy server?

 

[bcastner]

You do not need a policy server for this one.
You do have to logon as each user and:
Right-click the Winexit.scr file, and then click Install.

 

[bcastner]

I should amend the above. A peculiarity of files with a .scr extension is that they may as well be (and can be) renamed with an .exe extension.

So, you could "push" this through a logon script in a large workgroup setting, or through Group Policy in a Domain.

I am sure Forum member Tsuji has a comment, but I personally was surprised hwo the .scr extension is by default defined quite as extensively as a file with an .exe extension.