Although AppSense Personalization works almost “out of the box”, there are still a couple of user settings which do not persist after a log off.
I revisited my old list of registry keys and hiving actions and tested them out with AppSense Environment Manager 8.2 on a Windows 7 client machine.
The list below is an overview of the settings that did not persist. Add the registry keys you need to your session data (or desktop settings, if you have an older version of AppSense) to make the setting persist.
Taskbar properties
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects2
Taskbar toolbars
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Desktop
Taskbar notifications
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\
Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify
Windows explorer preview pane
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
Modules\GlobalSettings
Additional clocks
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\TimeDate\AdditionalClocks
Control panel icon size
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ControlPanel
Network mappings
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Network
Desktop icon settings
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel
Microsoft Office user information
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Common\UserInfo
Autoplay
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
AutoplayHandlers\EventHandlersDefaultSelection
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\
AutoplayHandlers\UserChosenExecuteHandlers
Recently used programs
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\UserAssist
Windows Explorer Folder View
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU
And for 64-bit:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\
Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\Local Settings\
Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU
Pinned Items
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Startpage2
In addition to the registry keys, the actual pinned items also have to be copied (to the user home drive for example) at logon/log off.
If you have AppSense Environment Manager 8.2 you can use the mirror action for the folders below. If you have an older version of Environment Manager, just use a copy action
%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\StartMenu
%AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar
Recent documents
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RecentDocs
In addition to the registry keys, the actual items also have to be copied (to the user home drive for example) at logon/log off.
If you have AppSense Environment Manager 8.2 you can use the mirror action for the folder below. If you have have an older version of Environment Manager, just use a copy action
%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
Update 14 december 2011:
Citrix Session Printers can also be personalized with a little workaround which I have described here.
Hi Michael. This is really good info. Thanks a bunch for sharing this. I’ve taken the liberty of using this information to create a Building Block for RES Workspace Manager. It includes some additional registry settings which you don’t have above.
My article is available here: http://bit.ly/ukWn0T – Your comments are welcome.
/Max
And an additional key.
Searchproviders (Your searchbar in Internet Explorer)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes
The settings that you have windows folder view don’t seem to work for me have you had any problems with this on Win 7 64bit?
I finally figured out what was missing and its a little different than what you have posted here are the ones I had to put in Session Data for Windows Explorer Folder View to work correctly on Win7 x64 w/SP1
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
Hi Clinton,
I did indeed test these settings for Windows 7 x64 SP1 and figured out you need different keys then for x86 (as you can see in my post), but I did not need the ones you found.
Thanks for the additions!
Great stuff. Going to implement your suggestions, Do you have a base policy to share? No big deal copying what is listed but would be nice for a stater template of best practice type things.
Thanks for sharing this info. I’ve been trying to look for documentation on HKCU keys for a while in order to customise mandatory and default user profiles. The information seems scarce. Do you happen to know where I may be able to find more info about HKCU keys and tuning user profiles?
Hi youfoobar,
The way I find most keys is by using a tool called “Regshot”. It allows you to make a before and after snapshot of the registry, so it’s easy to see where your settings are being written.
[...] The post can be found here: http://www.michelstevelmans.com/appsense-personalization-additional-registry-keys-overview/ [...]
This works to add the data, but how do you apply it? Especially the Recently Used Programs list. We tried hive in and hive out, that didn’t work either.
Hi Guys, i recently done an article defining all the reg keys and folders need to correctly hive out taskbar, start menu and toolbar settings. It basically does the same as “Desktop Settings” in EM but if you apply them in policy as hive actions you get alot more control and you can use conditional arguments against hiving them etc.
http://byteben.com/bb/appsense-start-menu-taskbar-icon-toolbar-personalization-windows-7/
Toolbar Registry Keys / AppData Folders
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\TimeDate
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\EnableAutoTray
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MenuOrder
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop
CSIDL_APPDATA\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
Taskbar Registry Keys / AppData Folders
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\TimeDate
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\ShellBrowser\ITBar7Layout
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\DisablePreviewDesktop
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\TaskbarGlomLevel
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Taskbar\Glomming
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\TaskbarSizeMove HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\TaskbarSmallIcons
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\EnableAutotray
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects2\Settings
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband
CSIDL_APPDATA\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned
Start Menu Registry Keys / AppData Folders
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_AdminToolsRoot
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_AutoCascade
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_EnableDragDrop
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_JumpListItems
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_LargeMFUIcons
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_MinMFU
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_NotifyNewApps
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_PowerButtonAction
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_SearchFiles
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_SearchPrograms
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowControlPanel
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowDownloads
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowHelp
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowHomegroup
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowMyComputer
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowMyDocs
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowMyGames
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowMyMusic
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowMyPics
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowNetConn
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowNetPlaces
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowPrinters
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowRecentDocs
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowRecordedTV
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowRun
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowSetProgramAccessAndDefaults
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowUser
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowVideos
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_SortByName
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_TrackDocs
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_TrackProgs
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\StartMenuAdminTools
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\StartMenuFavorites
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ApplicationDestinations\MaxEntries
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage2
CSIDL_APPDATA\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned