Send information to Windows 2000 Pro users during logon

by Jim Boyce | Aug 08, 2005 4:18:00 PM

Tags: Jim Boyce, dialog box, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows, group policy, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Professional Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: There may be times when you need to send Windows users vital information (such as details about security requirements). In order to guarantee users see this information, learn how you can modify two group policies that enable you to display information during logon.

Windows 2000 Professional provides you with several methods to send users information about security requirements, upcoming network or company events, or any other type of message. For example, you could use e-mail, but doing so doesn't guarantee that all of your users will see the information. One way to guarantee that the information at least gets displayed on the user's computer is to show the message during logon.

Windows provides two group policies that enable you to display information during the logon process. This information appears in a dialog box after the user presses [Ctrl][Alt][Delete] and before the Log On To Windows dialog box is displayed. The dialog box includes a single OK button—you specify the dialog box title and the message contents for the dialog box.

Follow these steps to modify these two group policies:

1. Open the Local Policies\Security Options branch of Group Policy.
2. Set the policy Message Text For Users Attempting To Log On to contain the message that you want displayed in the dialog box.
3. Set the policy Message Title For Users Attempting To Log On to what you want to appear in the dialog box's title bar.
4. Close the console, log off, and then log on to test the message.

Now you can be certain that all users receive your message when they log on to their machines.

Want more Win2K tips and tricks? Automatically sign up for our free Windows 2000 Professional newsletter, delivered each Tuesday!

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Not bad but...jason.riggs@...  | 08/09/05

Logon informationthomas.dalton@...  | 08/09/05

If you only have local rightsjsharris@...  | 08/09/05

doesn't workdjameson@...  | 08/09/05

Logon MessageRickster06  | 08/15/05

script itdjameson@...  | 08/15/05

What if you don't use Ctl Alt Del feature?itleslie  | 08/09/05

Create a GPO to force a logon script, and put y...Tony K  | 08/09/05

ctrl+alt+delte importantdjameson@...  | 08/09/05

I think it will display anywayRay Jefferson  | 08/10/05

I think it will display anywaymbaron@...  | 08/10/05

Need more Informationbreptak@...  | 08/09/05

Formatting the TextAugustUser  | 08/15/05

Doesn't work...lwebb@...  | 09/12/05

EDITPMidnite  | 04/27/07