It is often helpful when users can find the name of their device quickly and easily. Physical lettering doesn't always work everywhere.
A well-known solution for this is BGInfo (BgInfo - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs) For me, BGInfo is not always optimal on work devices, especially when the user has the option to change the background image himself. Depending on the resolution or the picture, the picture or the info display may be distorted.
Some time ago I switched to the program DesktopInfo (Desktop Info – Glenn's Page (delahoy.com)), which I am very satisfied with. With the correct configuration, the hostname is displayed on the wallpaper. The display can be formatted as desired. The Configuration for the Hostname on the Desktop can easily be distributed via Intune.
Glenn has various examples of this on his homepage: Desktop Info Gallery – Glenn's Page (delahoy.com)
Distribution via Microsoft Intune
I created a Win32 package for the automated distribution: scloud / DesktopInfo at main FlorianSLZ / scloud (github.com)
| File | Description |
|---|---|
| install.ps1 | 1. Open log 2. End existing DesktopInfo processes 3. Copy DesktopInfo.exe, hostname.ini and DesktopInfo.ps1 to the device 4. Create VBScript for program start 5. Create a scheduled task with the "Logon" trigger. --> Action: Start DesktopInfo with hostname.ini 6. Start the task |
| DesktopInfo.exe | Program file |
| DesktopInfo.ps1 | Starts the EXE with the argument of hostname.ini |
| hostname.ini | Defines appearance of the PC name |
| DesktopInfo.png | Image for Win32 Package |
| check.ps1 | Checks the installation using the EXE version |
| uninstall.ps1 | Deletes the scheduled task and the local program data |
For the logic of the Win32 app package I have my template as in the post "my take on win32 apps - Intune | scloud" described used.
Upload the intunewin file
- Upload the intunewin file to Apps> Windows> Windows Apps> Add
Für die Logik des Win32 App-Paketes habe ich meine Vorlage, wie im Post "my take on win32 apps - Intune | scloud" beschrieben verwendet.
Upload der intunewin-Datei
- Upload the intunewin file at Apps > Windows > Windows Apps > Add
- Select the install.intunwwin file and define at least the title and the publisher:
- Store installation and deinstallation commands as a system
| Install command | %SystemRoot%\sysnative\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -executionpolicy bypass -command .\install.ps1 |
| Uninstall command | %SystemRoot%\sysnative\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -executionpolicy bypass -command .\uninstall.ps1 |
- Requirements 64bit and any Windows version.
- Detection rule, check.ps1
- We have no dependencies.
- Assign and you're done.
Summary
DesktopInfo also makes it easy to display the host name on the device. This helps the support person to quickly refer the caller to the device. If the name concept is also cleverly chosen, the supporter can also derive part of the configuration from it.
HI Florian,
Thanks for the details. I was trying to create application in Intune using your "install.intunewin" package but its not populating the Install & uninstall commands in the Intune App Portal.
Regards,
Ravikant
Hi Ravikant, thx for your feedback.
That's right, you must define them yourself. I used the logic from my win32 template (https://scloud.work/en/my-take-on-win32-apps/).
I added the needed properties right away.
Thanks Florian. I will try it once in my test environment.
Whats the vbs for?
We block Wscript.exe, so need to run it without this?
The VBS is just a wrapper for the start of the ps1 but will do it silently without a command prompt.
If you want to run it without it, you could change the action in the scheduled task:
$action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "powershell.exe" -Argument "-executionpolicy bypass -windowstyle hidden -command `"$scriptPath`""
Thanks! Very useful 🙂 I had the same concern about bginfo, so desktop info is a welcome alternative (and probably more flexible too).
Any solution that allows the user to copy paste it to chat?
Not with this. But you could use the task tray tool, I created here: https://scloud.work/send-support-information-to-teams-channel/