How to Run a Domain Logon Script in the Foreground with the Start.exe Command-Line Tool

By default, logon scripts run in the background. You can use the Start.exe command-line tool to run local and domain logon scripts on computers that are running Windows.

To create a domain logon script that runs in the foreground by using Start.exe, create a file named Logon.bat that contains the commands that you want to run. Then, create a file named Newfile.bat to call the Logon.bat file. Place both files in the Netlogon share on the domain controllers. In a Windows-based domain, start the Active Directory Users and Computers tool in Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and configure the user to use the Newfile.bat file as the logon script.

NOTE: In a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0-based domain, start the User Manager for Domains tool and configure the users to use the Newfile.bat file as the logon script.

Include the following line in the Newfile.bat file: When a user logs on, the logon script runs in the foreground.

NOTE: The file names Logon.bat and Newfile.bat are used in this article for illustration purposes only. You can use other file names.

Preferred Method for Windows-Based Clients

The preferred method for Windows-based clients is to use Group Policy to control the user's environment for logon scripts. The following Group Policy setting are available for logon scripts:

• User Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Logon\Logonff
  • Disable logoff
  • Run logon scripts synchronously
  • Run legacy logon scripts hidden
  • Run logon scripts visible
  • Run logoff scripts visible
  
  
• Computer Configuration\Adminstrative Templates\System\Logon
  • Run logon scripts synchronously
  • Run legacy logon scripts hidden
  • Run startup scripts visible
  • Run shutdown scripts visible
  • Maximum wait time for Group Policy scripts

For more information about the Start tool, type start /? at a command prompt.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: