Automatic Logoff with Screensaver

[paul123456]

i needed to know how to have all windows xp cleints autolog off after 10 minutes of non-usage is there a way u can use the xp logoff screensaver to do this, using gpo to use this after 10 minutes of inactivity. i heard there was a way something about the resource kit. anyone have any of ideas
thks Thanks, PAUL

 

[CoolClark]

It's called winexit.scr. Copy it to your system32 directory and then set it up like you would a regular screen saver.

 

[paul123456]

well it just so happends that i have that one. but i would like to control it with group policy so i dont have to go to each individual computer and install. do u no how i would do this? Thanks, PAUL

 

[CoolClark]

Are you running AD and are all of your clients 2000?

 

[paul123456]

yes i am running AD and all of my clients r XP machines. i know theres an option in desktop to excecute the logon.scr but i tried and it doesn't work. maybe their a different way of doing this. Thanks, PAUL

 

[CoolClark]

Look in Group Policies-> User Configuration-> Administrative Templates-> Control Panel-> Display

You can set Screen Saver info from here. You will need to copy the screen saver to all computers using it.

 

[paul123456]

what about the default logon screen saver on the xp machines that when activated lock the computer. i tried doing the gpo to activate this scr but it didnt work maybe there a way do it that way Thanks, PAUL

 

[CoolClark]

Not sure I understand the question.

 

[brontosaurus]

You need to enable Active Desktop, set the default screen saver, and set the lock workstation all via policy...

 

[paul123456]

i still haven't figured out how to do this guys, please if anyone has done this or knows how to do this respond. i would like to use the screen saver that comes with xp pro. that locks the workstation. but i am open to anything that either locks the workstation or logs the user off. i am on a win2k environment. with AD and all of my clients are xp pro machines. i want to auto log off the users after a certain amount of time. Thanks, PAUL

 

[paul123456]

anyone? Thanks, PAUL

 

[CoolClark]

Create a group policy.

Edit the policy

Goto "User Configuration"
Goto "Administrative Templates"
Goto "Control Panel"
Goto "Display"

There are 4 policies you will need to set

Enable "Screen Saver"
Enable "Screen Saver Executable Name"
Set the screen saver name to "logon.scr"
Enable "Password protect the screen saver"
Enable "Screen Saver timeout"
Set the time to whatever you want

Once you have done this make sure "Apply Group Policy" is checked for the appropriate group or user(s) under the properties of the policy.

Finally run the following lines from the command prompt on the DC:

secedit /refreshpolicy machine_policy /enforce

secedit /refreshpolicy user_policy /enforce

This will replicate the policy change. If you don't do this the change can take 45min. depending on your settings.

 

[paul123456]

hey coolclark i have done exactly what u suggested, that was the first thing i did (and yes i did enforce the policy with the secedit com.) i thought that would do it but unfortuntaly it did'nt work, however all my users have the screensaver enabled and it does work. it just doesn't lock the workstation. have u done this and has it worked for u?


MSCE
MSCA
A+
NET+ Thanks, PAUL

 

[CoolClark]

I did it just like above and it worked fine. Try creating a new policy and just add yourself to it.

 

[paul123456]

tried it again, and it doesn't work for me. has anyone else had any luck doing this. keep in mind coolclark that i have xp pro machines. the screensaver does come on. but it fails to lock the worstation. if your absolutely positive that this works let me know. if anyone has done and has been successful please post so i can figure out what i did wrong. Thanks, PAUL