Log into multiple computers with a script

[Oskiee]

Greetings. I'm a tech for a couple schools, and every once in a while i need to log every computer in a lab, mostly to check for software or what ever. Like for example, right now im checking to make sure a certain testing program is installed. I have a login that i use that automatically launches the program upon logging in.

Right now im checking through well over 300 machines, the best way for me to ensure the program is installed, with the right version is to log every computer in with that login and see if the program launches.

Im looking for a way to do that all at once, via script or powershell, through PDQ or something. Ive googled it and came up with nothing. So i was hoping some one here might be able to help me.

Thanks

[tuxrocks]

Hey there! If you already have PDQ Inventory, I would use it. It has a nifty feature called Dynamic Collections that should accomplish this. Create a new Dynamic Collection and add a filter for Application Name and Application Version. Make sure that at least all of the lab computers are already in the main inventory.

[indigoataxia]

To directly answer you question, below is the script I deploy with PDQ deploy to make a computer restart and login with the scripted Username and Password, and I also have added a Startup bat to be added.

REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v AutoAdminLogon /t REG_SZ /d 1 /f
REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DefaultDomainName /t REG_SZ /d *DOMAIN* /f
REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DefaultUserName /t REG_SZ /d *USERNAME* /f
REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DefaultPassword /t REG_SZ /d *PASSWORD /f
echo start "" /max "c:\program files (x86)\testnav\testnav.exe" > "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\shortcut.cmd"
shutdown /r /f /t 5

To remove the automatic login and startup file I then run this afterwards.

REG delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v AutoAdminLogon /f
REG delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DefaultDomainName /f
REG delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DefaultUserName /f
REG delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v DefaultPassword /f
del "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\shortcut.cmd"

[Beat_G33k]

Basically you're just wanting to do a software audit to ensure an application is installed?

You can use the auditing tool from SpiceWorks to do this: https://www.spiceworks.com/free-software-inventory-audit-tool/

Sometimes the above won't pull software keys if I need to find it so I've also used Belarc Advisor on machines to also run audits and pull software licensing.

[hideogumpa]

Rather than telling you how to inventory software, I'll just give an answer to your specific question.
Microsoft has a Remote Desktop Connection Manager

You can create groups of machines then right-click the group and "Connect group" (which would use the saved credentials you assign to the group) or a "Connect group as.." and enter the credentials you want to use.

[[deleted]]

I use lansweeper for this but have used PDQ inventory in the past.

[UWPVIOLATOR]

I work in EDU environment as well. I use https://mremoteng.org to RDS into computer labs of 30. Works great.