Windows settings

Overview

To make a player truly stand-alone, it is important to make some settings to Windows to ensure the player automatically logs on and starts, and that when asked to restart/shutdown, that it will not hang waiting for applications to end. It is also recommended to turn off any Windows warnings that may appear and interfere with the normal running course of the applications.

Startup

Dise applications

Dise Replay and Dise Probe can be set to start automatically when Windows starts. They do it by simple creating a shortcut in the start menu "Startup" folder. In one of the steps in the Dise Setup Wizard you have the option to create startup shortcuts. You can also go into the Replay or Probe Preferences and check the Start Replay/Probe when Windows starts box.

Windows login

• Select Start > Run and type in control userpasswords2.
• Select the account with which to log on.
• Uncheck the box Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer..
• Click Apply.
• You will be asked for the password, enter it and confirm.

By Windows registry

The autologin settings can also be done using a registry change. Paste the following code in a text document and change the domain, username and password:

Example:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"AutoAdminLogon"="1"
"DefaultDomainName"="domain"
"DefaultUsername"="username"
"DefaultPassword"="password"

Save the file as "autologon.reg".

This can even be distributed to all players to setup. To accomplish this, enter in a text document:

Example:

regedit /s autologon.reg

Save the file as "diseupdate.bat". Next, distribute the two files.

Network connections

Often the player needs to access files over the network. When the file server from which Probe downloads content needs authentication, please make sure that you specify the username, password and domain in the download location preferences.

In the cases where you have data connected to network files, we recommend mapping a network drive to the wanted folder, provide login details (domain, user, password) to access and have it automatically log in on startup. Either use the "Map network drive" in Windows Explorer or open a command line window and type:

Create a mapped drive:

net use S: \\server\share /user:domain\username /persistent:yes password

Updates

For automatic remote updates to work properly it is generally recommended to disable the UAC (User Account Control) on players. UAC is a windows security measure which asks for administrator credentials (on a different desktop) when protected files are changed or run.

Disabling system messages

In Windows Vista/7, to turn off the Action Center warnings, paste the following code in a text document.

Example:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"HideSCAHealth"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"HideSCAHealth"=-

Save the file as "disablewarnings.reg". Run the file to change the settings to Action Center.

Shutdown

When asked to shutdown/restart, Windows by default will wait for applications to do it cleanly. This is not the desired behavior when nobody is there to interact. Instead we want Windows to force kill any remaining applications. Paste the following code in a text document:

Example:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"AutoEndTasks"="1"
"WaitToKillAppTimeout"="1000"
"HungAppTimeout"="1000"
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout"="1000"

Save the file as "forceshutdown.reg". Run the file to change the settings to Windows' shutdown behavior.

Further reading

Using Windows As A Signage Platform - dailydooh.com