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Overview
The purpose of this document is to detail the steps necessary to configure Fences as a template for repeated use on more than one Windows user on the same machine or network-wide. These steps are usually applied to a base image that is replicated across the corporate PC infrastructure.
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This is legacy documentation. Please refer to the updated Enterprise Configuration Guide for Fences 4.0 for current best practices. |
Considerations
Fences does not create desktop icons as part of applying the layout. The layout file only instructs Fences to create Fences and move icons into the Fences. For creating default icons see, Creating Default Shortcuts or use your own GPO to have them exist natively.
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If you have a Fences Folder Portal within the layout, they will not work when the template is distributed.
Installing Fences and Template Creation
Installing Fences
Download Fences from the link here: Download. Install Fences as you normally would any program using the default values throughout the setup wizard.
Creating and Saving the Layout Template
Create Fences and place icons in the Fences to design a “template” layout
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Video of Creating and Saving the Layout Template: https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/Fences_Layout_Acme001.mp4
Applying the Layout
Now that you have saved the layout, the following steps will instruct Fences to automatically apply it to all users on a PC’s where the layout exists (we will cover how this can be deployed network wide later).
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Video of Appling the Layout: https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/Fences_Layout_Acme002.mp4
Important Notes
Fences will not be created for items that are not on the desktop. Said another way, if a Fence is empty, it is not created. Furthermore, if an icon does not exist on another users Windows account, and the default template had only that icon in it, the Fence will not be created.
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If you want to ensure that all shortcuts are put into a Fence, but may have additional applications installed after you create your layout, use a “Default Fence” to capture the remaining shortcuts.Configure the “default Fence” by right clicking on a Fence in your layout and click on Organize, “Place all icons in this Fence by default“. Do this before you save your layout file.
Advanced Topics
Creating Default Shortcuts
In order to instruct Fences to create shortcuts on the desktop when run for the first time, additional XML must be created. Please note, this is an advanced topic and should be avoided if possible.
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Shortcut targets can be in either %programfiles% or %programfiles(x86)% and Fences will find them in either location.
Network-wide Deployments
When considering your deployment, you will have to choose what users will get the layout (if not all) you created and that they (must) have the icons on the desktop for it to be applied properly. Once known, those users will need the proper registry settings and the layout in the proper place on their PC:
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