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#122943 - 2004-07-15 12:45 AM Thinking of a KiX software inv. system (for XP)
KentLarsson Offline
Getting the hang of it

Registered: 2004-07-08
Posts: 50
Loc: Sweden, Avesta
Hi!

My thoughts about creating a software inv. system using kix, the key issue is fast as i want to run this as the last part of the loginskript and not hog the machines to much.

In Windows XP the most frequently used programs reside in the start menu (with the normal XP layout), how many programs that are listed is the users choise.

I am thinking about logging it, looking for non-workrelated programs as sol.exe and numerous of others (i could do pattern matching as well). To make it effective i would set the number of programs on start menu to 15 or similar as part of the loginscript.

Questions that come to mind:
  • Is it possible to use the "Classic Start Menu" (and force it) of the startmenu while Windows XP still logs the most frequently used applications? (if not, the users will notice that their games etc turn up in the startmenu and delete them)
  • Are these two the only keys of importance? (HKCU = HKEY_CURRENT_USER)
    Code:

    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ComDlg32\LastVisitedMRU

    HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\MUICache

  • This isnīt logged in Windows 2000 and NT right? (i donīt belive so but i wish they where )

    What do you think? I think that it will be fast and give me about as much information as i need while following the K.I.S.S. rule.. Am i onto something?
    _________________________
    Best regards, Kent

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    #122944 - 2004-07-15 03:42 AM Re: Thinking of a KiX software inv. system (for XP)
    Radimus Moderator Offline
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    Registered: 2000-01-06
    Posts: 5187
    Loc: Tampa, FL
    I think you'd be best off with a hidden script that enume all running processes and logs them to some type of ini file, wait a minute or 2 and then log again.
    _________________________
    How to ask questions the smart way <-----------> Before you ask

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    #122945 - 2004-07-15 05:17 AM Re: Thinking of a KiX software inv. system (for XP)
    Sealeopard Offline
    KiX Master
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    Registered: 2001-04-25
    Posts: 11165
    Loc: Boston, MA, USA
    Processes like this shouldn't even be done via login script. There are already examples of software/hardware inventory systems posted and IIRC, there's even a KiXforms script as well. Most of them support the collection from remote systems. Login scripts should only be used to support direct user functionality, e.g. drive/printer mappings and user configs.
    _________________________
    There are two types of vessels, submarines and targets.

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    #122946 - 2004-07-15 09:42 AM Re: Thinking of a KiX software inv. system (for XP)
    KentLarsson Offline
    Getting the hang of it

    Registered: 2004-07-08
    Posts: 50
    Loc: Sweden, Avesta
    Canīt agree with you. If the process takes half a second and gives me valuable data i think itīs perfect.

    The very beauty of it imho is the fact that i do not need a running process checking the machine with a certain interval, i do it once for every logon and no more.

    Sure i can miss things, but i donīt want to disturb the machines to much. And checking a few registry entries during the logon isnīt heavy in any way..

    So, if we focus on how this could be done instead now. I am sure that opinions if this should be done are different but i have mine made up as long as itīs an easy and lightweight process. So! Any ideas on the how?
    _________________________
    Best regards, Kent

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    #122947 - 2004-07-15 12:37 PM Re: Thinking of a KiX software inv. system (for XP)
    NTDOC Administrator Offline
    Administrator
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    Registered: 2000-07-28
    Posts: 11634
    Loc: Space
    I run this during logon and most computers complete it in under 10 seconds. But it is completely silent and if it takes longer to run the user is not even aware it is running. They can still launch other applications and stuff while this is running.

    My Computer Info for Helpdesk use Part 3
    http://www.kixtart.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=116475

    As far as tracking what the user runs and has run in real time or close to real time, I have not done as that borders on illegal activity unless authorized with user consent and knowledge. I'll let that portion or decision up to you.
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    #122948 - 2004-07-18 07:03 PM Re: Thinking of a KiX software inv. system (for XP)
    KentLarsson Offline
    Getting the hang of it

    Registered: 2004-07-08
    Posts: 50
    Loc: Sweden, Avesta
    Do you/anyone else think that it is the correct places to look in the registry mentioned in my orginial post? I am just looking to make a inventory script to look for software which our users may not run, so i am constructing something new...

    About the places in the registry and my other questions in the original post though? Anyone?
    _________________________
    Best regards, Kent

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    #122949 - 2004-07-18 09:14 PM Re: Thinking of a KiX software inv. system (for XP)
    NTDOC Administrator Offline
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    Registered: 2000-07-28
    Posts: 11634
    Loc: Space
    Personally I think you will be fighting a losing battle trying to look at the registry to determine what people are using and trying to prevent it. If that is your goal then use policies to only allow AUTHORIZED applications to be run, then nothing can be run except those applications on your list.

    Though on a side note I still don't really see the reasoning behind this. If an employee can not be trusted to do his/her work then let them go and hire someone else that will.
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    #122950 - 2004-07-19 09:44 AM Re: Thinking of a KiX software inv. system (for XP)
    KentLarsson Offline
    Getting the hang of it

    Registered: 2004-07-08
    Posts: 50
    Loc: Sweden, Avesta
    Quote:

    Personally I think you will be fighting a losing battle trying to look at the registry to determine what people are using and trying to prevent it.


    There are a couple of common games and applications which we do not want the users to run. Of course we will never be able to prevent everything, but this is also a method to locate which users that run this non-authorized stuff.

    Quote:

    If that is your goal then use policies to only allow AUTHORIZED applications to be run, then nothing can be run except those applications on your list.


    Not an option as our environment is far to complex and such policies would only result in more work for us. If we inventory what is run we can check runned software when we have the time.

    Quote:

    Though on a side note I still don't really see the reasoning behind this. If an employee can not be trusted to do his/her work then let them go and hire someone else that will.

    This doesnīt work in reality.

    Altough. If you have nothing to contribue with regarding the topic then please do not answer either. I wish to discuss how not why.
    _________________________
    Best regards, Kent

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    #122951 - 2004-07-19 08:10 PM Re: Thinking of a KiX software inv. system (for XP)
    NTDOC Administrator Offline
    Administrator
    *****

    Registered: 2000-07-28
    Posts: 11634
    Loc: Space
    This is a discussion board, not an order desk. Discussing opinions often helps other to see or seek another means of handling a task. However if you feel my links or opinions are of no value to you then I'll not reply again as you wish.
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    #122952 - 2004-07-19 11:01 PM Re: Thinking of a KiX software inv. system (for XP)
    KentLarsson Offline
    Getting the hang of it

    Registered: 2004-07-08
    Posts: 50
    Loc: Sweden, Avesta
    I stated several times in the thread that i wish to discuss how and not why regarding this issue. Everything except that is off-topic to this thread. No mock intended but i do wish to dicuss how to do this in this thread, not anything else.
    _________________________
    Best regards, Kent

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    #122953 - 2004-07-20 02:53 AM Re: Thinking of a KiX software inv. system (for XP)
    Sealeopard Offline
    KiX Master
    *****

    Registered: 2001-04-25
    Posts: 11165
    Loc: Boston, MA, USA
    Under Windows 2000/XP/2003 and AD you can use group policies to disallow certain programs based on hash, certificate, path, or Internet zone rule. This would be the preferred way. And if you still have Windows 9x/NT and an NT4 domain, it's about time to get rid of it and switch to AD.
    _________________________
    There are two types of vessels, submarines and targets.

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