This is the tenth installment in a series of posts about the new features and options in AppSense Version 8 Service Pack 2.  (If you have not yet downloaded this latest release, you can read more info and download it from here )

AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 SP2 includes an automatic refresh of items which use the following registry keys, or subkeys:

control panel\accessibility\stickykeys
control panel\appearance
control panel\colors
control panel\cursors
control panel\desktop
control panel\international
control panel\keyboard
control panel\mouse
keyboard layout
software\microsoft\plus!
software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\policies\explorer
software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\policies\system\wallpaper
software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\themes

These registry keys are all refreshed by using the SystemParametersInfo win32 function to individually set known items.

In addition, any change to the desktop folders causes an icon refresh to be sent and AppSense Environment Manager also broadcasts a system wide policy update message.

Refreshes are sent after all other actions have taken place.

A broadcast message for environment variables is sent whenever Environment Manager updates any variables. Environment Manager listens for broadcasts from other programs, such as VBScripts, to pick up any environment variable changes from within them.

Tip: If the key you are setting requires a refresh but is not in the list above, try setting a dummy value that matches one of the above registry keys. This forces a refresh.

P:S
As this is an ever growing blog topic, the previous posts on the other new features we have detailed can be found below:

NEW FEATURE No. 1 – AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 Service Pack 2 – Run As

NEW FEATURE No. 2 – AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 Service Pack 2 – Connect As

NEW FEATURE No. 3 – AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 Service Pack 2 – Improved compression and data handling protocol

NEW FEATURE No. 4 – AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 Service Pack 2 – Manipulation of files in Personalization Analysis

NEW FEATURE No. 5 – AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 Service Pack 2 – Run Once

NEW FEATURE No. 6 – AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 Service Pack 2 – Group SID Refresh

NEW FEATURE No. 7 – AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 Service Pack 2 – Trigger Action Time Audit Event

NEW FEATURE No. 8 – AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 Service Pack 2 – Stop If Fails

NEW FEATURE No. 9 – AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 Service Pack 2 – New Application Categories in the User Interface

NEW FEATURE No. 10 – AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 Service Pack 2 – Refresh

NEW FEATURE No. 11 – AppSense Environment Manager 8.0 Service Pack 2 – Registry Hive Exclusions

This advanced and enhanced tool lets you keep your desktop settings away from unwanted access and brings more security for your desktop. The name of the tool is Advanced Desktop Shield. This tool will be very useful to those who are using their system for public use like schools, colleges, universities, internet cafes, libraries and other public places.

Click to control your LAN remotely

Moreover, with this tool, you can create a reliable shield in your system and you can create a backup, restore your settings, and manage your desktop layout. Therefore, nobody can change your desktop settings even your wallpaper and screensaver. This tool is supposed to work with Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista.

[ More ]

[Windows Only]

Do you keep changing your Windows desktop resolution (screen size)? And are you among those who arrange their desktop icons to suit their needs and preferences? [I like the Recycle Bin to stay in the bottom-right of the desktop. Makes things lot easier as I can delete temporary files/folders that re on my desktop after work easily by dragging-and-dropping.]

Whenever you change the screen resolution one undesired thing that happens is that the desktop icons get re-arranged in a way that many people would not like. So, you end up spending good time arranging icon to your desired locations.

Here are two small freewares for Windows that will save you from the hassles when you change screen resolution or want to have different setting for icons –Icon Restore and DesktopOK.

Icon Restore

Icon Restore lets you save the state of your desktop icons and restore them . This small freeware installs LAYOUT.DLL (along with the required registry entries) from Microsoft. It adds two new options to the pop up menu that opens when any Windows system icon (like My Computer) is right clicked — “Save Desktop Icon Layout” and “Restore Desktop Icon Layout”.

There is currently no way to uninstall Icon Restore using Windows’ Add/Remove Programs. If you wish to uninstall Icon restore, you will have to download an uninstaller application from the Icon Restore site. [I recommend you download the unistaller as well with the program.]

DesktopOK

Another small application DesktopOK does a very similar job, also allowing you to save and restore multiple layouts. This means you can have any number of desktop setting with icons at different positions for the same screen resolution.

DesktopOK stays in your system tray when minimized. When you want to change your screen size or desktop icon positions with the same screen size, you can open it, save your desktop state, and then make any changes you want. Restore your desktop to the previous state when you want your previous state. You can also keep a couple of saved layouts for different situations.

Download DesktopOK (ZIP file)

[Via Download Squad]

I miss my laptop sooooo much.  Part 2.

The Teenager sat me down last night for “a talk”.

He carefully explained to me that while he didn’t mind me using his computer, it was important that i remember to show a little more respect and reverse any changes i make to his desktop settings when i’m done so as not to interrupt his computer experience once he gets back on his machine.

It was all i could do not to twitch, slouch, pout, whine and make excuses about the non-existent ergonomics, the filthy desk, my back and neck pain, his ridiculously high monitor resolution that decreases desktop icons to the size of pinpricks, etc., etc. 

Instead, I hung my head, apologized and promised to do better next time.

…and yes (in case you’re wondering), his talk bore a striking resemblance to a chat i’d had with him a few months back when he’d borrowed my laptop. 

oh well, at least he kept a straight face through most of it…