Environment Variable editing across a domain

Spammeh · 3 Dec 2010 at 15:59

Hi All,

If possible, some help with this would be great. I'm wanting to change the value of an environment variable across a number of PCs on our domain - its for Autodesk software licensing.

Currently, when the application is installed, it has an environment variable called "ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE" which has a value similar to this:
@SW7;@AS06-NT;

What I want to do is to change that variable to @AS22-MC;@AS23-NT;@AS24-LN; via group policy so that when we change over to our new license server, the end user isn't affected. I know this can be done via script / GPO but having never done this before, a quick point in the right direction would be great

Cheers,

Ev0 · 3 Dec 2010 at 18:34

Are you running a 2003 or 2008 domain?

http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/environment.htm

I'd either do it by adding the reg key on the machines, which is easier in 2008 I believe as you can do it directly in the GPO without having to script it, or by a vbs script that runs on machine startup.

HungryHippos · 4 Dec 2010 at 00:18

You can use Group Policy preferences to deploy reg changes even if you're running Windows Server 2003 DC's:

Deploying Group Policy Preferences

Group Policy preferences do not require you to install any services on servers. Windows Server 2008 includes Group Policy preferences by default as part of the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC). Administrators will also be able to configure and deploy Group Policy preferences in a Windows Server 2003 environment by installing the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) on a computer running Windows Vista with SP1. Both RSAT and Windows Vista SP1 will be available in the first quarter of 2008.

Although you don’t have to install any services to create GPOs that contain Group Policy preferences, you must deploy the Group Policy preferences client-side extension (CSE) to any client computer to which you want to deploy preferences. The CSE will be available as a separate download from Microsoft. It supports the following Windows versions:

• Windows XP with SP2
• Windows Vista
• Windows Server 2003 with SP1

Windows Server 2008 already includes the CSE.

Spammeh · 6 Dec 2010 at 14:38

I'm running a 2003 domain at the moment, with a majority of these PCs on XP and Win7. Is this the best way to do this or is there a more simple way?

Ev0 · 6 Dec 2010 at 16:48

Batch file/vbs as a startup script will be the simplist way then imho if the above is too much.

#Chri5# · 6 Dec 2010 at 21:03

Without wanting to sidetrack too far, is that the Autotask PSA software?

If so, how do you find it? I'm in the process of setting up a demo for work.

Spammeh · 7 Dec 2010 at 14:54

Not sure what PSA software it is. Its the AutoCAD series of products if that helps