Splash Screen for Windows: Start-SplashScreen

I recently found myself in need of a visually appealing way to present my PowerShell scripts. I wanted to provide users with feedback on the script's progress and enhance the overall user experience. That's when I decided to create the PowerShell Script Start-SplashScreen to display a minimal Splash Screen on Windows devices.

Table of Contents

• What is Start-SplashScreen?
• Why Use Start-SplashScreen?
• How to Use Start-SplashScreen
• My Favorite Use Case (so far)
  • Conclusion

What is Start-SplashScreen?

Start-SplashScreen is a PowerShell script I developed to execute a series of scripts while displaying a customizable splash screen. This splash screen provides real-time updates on the script's progress, including the script name currently running and its status.

Why Use Start-SplashScreen?

• Flexibility: Run both local PowerShell commands and scripts from online repositories.
• Improved User Experience: A splash screen can significantly enhance the perceived professionalism and complexity of your scripts.
• Real-Time Feedback: Users can monitor script progress, reducing frustration and uncertainty.
• Customization: Easily tailor the splash screen's appearance to match your branding or preferences.

How to Use Start-SplashScreen

Download the Script: You can find the Start-SplashScreen script on my GitHub repository or way easier download it via the PowerShell Gallery:

Install-Script -Name Start-SplashScreen

Define Your Processes: Create an array of objects, each containing a Name and Script property. The Script property can be a local PowerShell command or a URL to an online script.

Customize the Splash Screen (optional): Use optional parameters like MessageHeader, MessageText, MessageFinished, ClosingTimer, ColorBackground, and ColorText to personalize the splash screen.

$processes = @(
  @{
    Name = "Reading IP Adresses"
    Script = "Get-NetIPAddress"
  },
  @{
    Name = "Windows Quality Updates"
    Script = "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/FlorianSLZ/OSDCloud-Stuff/main/OOBE/Windows-Updates_Quality.ps1"
  },
  @{
    Name = "Windows Firmware and Driver Updates"
    Script = "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/FlorianSLZ/OSDCloud-Stuff/main/OOBE/Windows-Updates_DriverFirmware.ps1"
  }
)

Start-SplashScreen -Processes $processes -MessageHeader "Windows Preparation"

This example runs one PowerShell command and two scripts, "Get-NetIPAddress" and the installation of Quality Updates as well as firmware and driver updates. All while displaying a splash screen with the header "Windows Preparation".

This looks like this:

My Favorite Use Case (so far)

One of my favorite applications for Start-SplashScreen is in conjunction with OSDCloud and SetupComplete.cmd. I use it to create a streamlined Windows setup process. The splash screen displays the progress of installing Windows updates, activating Windows, and executing additional PowerShell scripts as needed. This approach provides a professional and informative experience for end-users and the end user is blocked from clicking the running PowerShell Window away.

Here's a short demo on how a enrollment like this looks after finishing installing Windows, during the first reboot (before the visible OOBE).

As an inspiration for the SetupComplete process, I heavily relied on Akos' excellent blog post in his OSDCloud series: OOBE Challenges #2: A Better Solution – Ákos Bakos (akosbakos.ch)

Conclusion

Start-SplashScreen is a versatile tool that can significantly enhance your PowerShell scripts. By providing visual feedback and customization options, it creates a more engaging user experience. I encourage you to try it out and see how it can benefit your projects.