There is a Windows 8.1 Group Policy intended for just this situation.
- Log on as a (new) user and configure the Start Screen layout the way you want.
Export the Start Screen Layout to XML using the "Export-StartLayout" PowerShell command; saving it to a network location all computers have access to:
Export-StartLayout -Path "\\server\sharedFolder\SchoolLab.xml" -As XML
Using GPedit.msc, create a new Policy (better idea), or edit an existing one.
- Open the policy, and navigate to
User Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
, and edit the Start Screen Layout policy setting. - Enable the policy setting and type in the path to the XML configuration file you created before (ie:
\\server\sharedFolder\SchoolLab.xml
). - Apply the new Policy to the OU containing the Users you want it to apply to.
The users start screen will be configured as per the XML configuration file the next time they log onto the computer.
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