AutoIt
AutoIt is a freeware BASIC-like scripting language designed for automating the Windows GUI and general scripting. It uses a combination of simulated keystrokes, mouse movement and window/control manipulation in order to automate tasks in a way not possible or reliable with other languages.
Services
With extensive experience with Microsoft technologies and Windows deployment projects we have a wide range of skills and services that can help ensure that your deployment projects are a success.
Scripting and Development
All deployment projects need a level of automation to succeed. This automation is usually achieved by some level of scripting or bespoke development. AutoIt Consulting have extensive experience in writing scripts and tools for a variety of situations.
Windows Deployment
Designing and deploying Microsoft Windows 7 can be a challenge for customers. AutoIt Consulting has experience of helping to deploy Windows clients for large enterprises using technologies such as Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) and System Center Configuration Manager.
Windows Image Engineering
For large-scale deployment projects a master Windows image is usually used. This image is then deployed to thousands of machines using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT), ConfigMgr or other methods. Getting the master image right is critical.
Welcome
Welcome to the AutoIt Consulting website.
Posts
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SCCM Package and Program Return Codes and Reboot Behaviour
Overview This post describes the ways that SCCM handles reboots for a Package & Program deployment. The behaviour depends on the Program configuration, deployment method, and return code. For example, a Package will perform differently when deployed in a Task Sequence than when it is deployed directly to a collection. This post will explain the…
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SCCM Package Success, Reboot and Retry Return Codes
Overview This post describes the return codes that SCCM understands for Package and Program deployments and shows which codes are classed success, reboot, or retry. The meaning of return codes for Packages and Programs is defined in the SCCM site control file. Codes are assigned into three categories: The full list of codes defined by…
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SCCM Create Task Sequence Media Wizard and Network Ports
Overview This post describes the firewall ports that need to be opened between an SCCM console and SCCM servers in order to use the Create Task Sequence Media wizard. I recently had to run the Create Task Sequence Media wizard from an SCCM console installed in a secure environment. All the network ports as documented…
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Single Instance WinForm App in C# with Mutex and Named Pipes
Overview This post shows how to create a single instance WinForm C# application using a Mutex. It also demonstrates how to send any object between instances with Named Pipes. While writing OSD Background I wanted an application that would only allow a single instance to run at any given time. In addition I wanted it…
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Script to Detect if Running from SCCM Task Sequence and Avoid False Positives
Overview This post shows how a script can detect if it is running from inside an SCCM Task Sequence in a way that avoids false positives. The Problem At times it’s useful for a script to detect if it is running from an SCCM Task Sequence so it can alter its behaviour accordingly. The most…
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GImageX v2.2.0 Released for Windows 10
Overview GImageX v2.2.0 has been released. GImageX is a freeware GUI for working with imaging WIM files providing an alternative to DISM. It can be used to capture, apply, mount, export, split and delete WIM files. GImageX is provided as a 32-bit and 64-bit native application that can be run even in WinPE. GImageX uses the…
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AutoIt Cmdlets for Windows PowerShell
Overview The newest versions of the AutoIt scripting language now come with a bonus for PowerShell users. A set of native PowerShell Cmdlets! This allows you to add the unique features of AutoIt – window manipulation and keystroke simulation – to your usual PowerShell scripts. As an additional bonus, the AutoIt PowerShell Cmdlets and Assemblies…
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WinPE Version List
Overview This post contains a WinPE version list including the WinPE version, the Windows version, and the numeric Windows version string that it was built from. It covers all versions of WinPE from the initial Windows XP versions to the latest Windows 10 versions. Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE or WinPE) is a lightweight version…
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Automating Office 365 Click-to-Run First Use Without Group Policy
Overview This post shows how to automate the numerous “first-run” dialogs that are shown when a user runs an Office 2013 or Office 365 application for the first time. With a standard local installation of Office 2013 this can be done in two ways. Firstly, by using Group Policy (the recommended way). Secondly, by using…
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Get the Current Script Directory in PowerShell, VBScript and Batch
Overview This post shows how to quickly get the current script directory using PowerShell, VBScript and Batch – the most commonly used scripting languages for Windows. The scripts I write usually read in other files or call other scripts. In order for these scripts to run from any location – such as a UNC path…