Organize the Start Menu for Unattended XP

[bobtomato]

I did a quick search and didn't see a similar post so...

I like my Start Menu organized, so why not do it automatically when installing a XP unattended install?

Basically after you have your XP cd setup the way you like, (ie. slipstreamed, hotfixes added, integrated programs, ect.) This is the phase where I assume most people would test their install out on a Virtual Machine. Once everything is working, organize your Start Menu the way you see fit. I like the following layout:

Accessories

Games

Graphics

Internet

Office

Multimedia

System Tools

But that's just my choice. Sort your programs into these folders (also is a good time to change the folder icons if you choose) once your are done you want to create a self-extracting exe of the Start Menu folder. I use winrar with the following settings:

;The comment below contains SFX script commands

Path=C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\
SavePath
Silent=1
Overwrite=1

Once you have your exe ready to be deployed (place in XPCD\$OEM$\$$\Temp\) you need to make sure that the Start Menu is wiped when installing. I have done this by adding a small .cmd file to do that at the end of the install (after final reboot). I place a file called Cleaner.cmd in the XPCD\$OEM$\$Docs\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder. This is what the file looks like:

@Echo off

RD /S /Q "%systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu"
RD /S /Q "%userprofile%\Start Menu\Programs"
del "%userprofile%\Desktop\*.lnk" /q /f
del "%systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\*.lnk" /q /f
del "%userprofile%\My Documents\My Pictures\*.lnk" /q /f
del "%userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\*.lnk" /q /f

%systemdrive%\windows\Temp\StartMenu.exe
EXIT

Now you can create a new image with fully organized and customized Start Menu.

Edited February 3, 2011 by bobtomato