[MrJinje]

I'm wondering about the placement of Metro App tiles on my Start Screen. How do they track the location of tiles, is it in the registry, a config xml hidden somewhere (winning guess), or like quick launch was via shortcuts in a folder location.

Normally I'd check the GP ADM template for this info, but apparently it doesn't exist ATM.

EDIT: Got an idea, why not just remove the Metro Apps I don't like. This script will remove every Metro app installed in the RTM, alternatively you can run these in offline mode against a mounted wim. Pick and choose what you want to remove.

x86

dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.Bing_1.2.0.137_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingFinance_1.2.0.135_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingMaps_1.2.0.136_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingNews_1.2.0.135_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingSports_1.2.0.135_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingTravel_1.2.0.145_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingWeather_1.2.0.135_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.Camera_6.2.8514.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:microsoft.microsoftskydrive_16.4.4204.712_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.Reader_6.2.8516.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_16.4.4206.722_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:microsoft.windowsphotos_16.4.4204.712_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.XboxLIVEGames_1.0.927.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.ZuneMusic_1.0.927.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.ZuneVideo_1.0.927.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

x64

dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.Bing_1.2.0.137_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingFinance_1.2.0.135_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingMaps_1.2.0.136_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingNews_1.2.0.135_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingSports_1.2.0.135_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingTravel_1.2.0.145_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingWeather_1.2.0.135_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.Camera_6.2.8514.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:microsoft.microsoftskydrive_16.4.4204.712_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.Reader_6.2.8516.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_16.4.4206.722_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:microsoft.windowsphotos_16.4.4204.712_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.XboxLIVEGames_1.0.927.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.ZuneMusic_1.0.927.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
dism /online /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.ZuneVideo_1.0.927.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

It does not work for pre-existing user accounts that already have access to the appx, but accounts created after removing it do not have access.

This post has been edited by MrJinje: 30 August 2012 - 04:02 AM

[MagicAndre1981]

the layout of the metro apps is stored in a file called appsFolder.itemdata-ms in C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows

[MrJinje]

MagicAndre1981, on 14 August 2012 - 03:18 PM, said:

the layout of the metro apps is stored in a file called appsFolder.itemdata-ms in C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows

Thanks, that was actually a big help. Here is some links I've found now that might be pertinent.

https://chentiangema...eloper-preview/

ShellTile API - Windows Phone but why not Windows 8 ?

http://msdn.microsof...v=vs.92%29.aspx

Customized a clone image

http://www.techplex....lone-image.aspx

Links to metro developer resources

http://social.msdn.m...d0-ea27de4c8b52

[MrJinje]

Can someone run this command on an clean install of Windows 8 x64 so I can get the correct Appx package names. FYI, 2012 does not seem to have any Appx installed, so don't need any of this for server.

You'll need to run as administrator.

The read-out is a long list, so added the 'clip' at the end, which copies the result to the clipboard. It won't actually print anything in your powerskull window, just right click and paste it back here for me.

dism /online /Get-ProvisionedAppxPackages | clip

[MagicAndre1981]

Quote

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.2.9200.16384

Image Version: 6.2.9200.16384

Getting the list of app packages (.appx) in this image...

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingFinance
Version : 1.2.0.135
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingFinance_1.2.0.135_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingMaps
Version : 1.2.0.136
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingMaps_1.2.0.136_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingNews
Version : 1.2.0.135
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingNews_1.2.0.135_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingSports
Version : 1.2.0.135
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingSports_1.2.0.135_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingTravel
Version : 1.2.0.145
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingTravel_1.2.0.145_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingWeather
Version : 1.2.0.135
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingWeather_1.2.0.135_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.Bing
Version : 1.2.0.137
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.Bing_1.2.0.137_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.Camera
Version : 6.2.8514.0
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.Camera_6.2.8514.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : microsoft.microsoftskydrive
Version : 16.4.4204.712
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : microsoft.microsoftskydrive_16.4.4204.712_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.Reader
Version : 6.2.8516.0
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.Reader_6.2.8516.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps
Version : 16.4.4206.722
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_16.4.4206.722_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : microsoft.windowsphotos
Version : 16.4.4204.712
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : microsoft.windowsphotos_16.4.4204.712_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.XboxLIVEGames
Version : 1.0.927.0
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.XboxLIVEGames_1.0.927.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.ZuneMusic
Version : 1.0.927.0
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.ZuneMusic_1.0.927.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.ZuneVideo
Version : 1.0.927.0
Architecture : x86
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.ZuneVideo_1.0.927.0_x86__8wekyb3d8bbwe

The operation completed successfully.

[MrJinje]

MagicAndre1981, on 17 August 2012 - 02:05 PM, said:

Architecture : x86

Thanks for the help, but t'was all for nought, as I already grabbed the x86 package names from my iso. Am only missing the package names on W8x64, which I do not yet have the ISO. Then I can update my first post for future readers.

[MrJinje]

Found something new, unattend.xml will allow us control of 24 pre-installed start tiles. Check you unattend.chm for the "Start Tiles" syntax.

Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup\StartTiles

<StartTiles>
     <LockScreen>    
          <Badge>
               <AppId>BadgeAppId</AppId>
          </Badge>
     </LockScreen>
     <WideTiles>
          <WideTile1>
               <AppId>AppIdwide1</AppId>
               <FirstRunTask>BackgroundTaskwide1</FirstRunTask>
          </WideTile1>
          <WideTile2>
               <AppId>AppIdwide2</AppId>
               <FirstRunTask>BackgroundTaskwide2</FirstRunTask>
          </WideTile2>
          <WideTile3>
               <AppId>AppIdwide3</AppId>
               <FirstRunTask>BackgroundTaskwide3</FirstRunTask>
          </WideTile3>
     </WideTiles>
     <SquareTiles>
          <SquareTile1>
               <AppId>AppIdSquare1</AppId>
               <FirstRunTask>BackgroundTaskSquare1</FirstRunTask>
          </SquareTile1>
          <SquareTile2>
               <AppId>AppIdSquare2</AppId>
               <FirstRunTask>backgroundTaskSquare2</FirstRunTask>
          </SquareTile2>
          <SquareOrDesktopTile1>
               <AppIdOrPath>C:\programdata\microsoft\windows\start menu\programs\desktoptile1.lnk</AppIdOrPath>
          </SquareOrDesktopTile1>
          <SquareOrDesktopTile2>
               <AppIdOrPath>C:\programdata\microsoft\windows\start menu\programs\desktoptile2.lnk</AppIdOrPath>
          </SquareOrDesktopTile2>
     </SquareTiles>
</StartTiles>

This post has been edited by MrJinje: 19 August 2012 - 02:29 PM

[boogerlad]

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingFinance
Version : 1.2.0.135
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingFinance_1.2.0.135_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingMaps
Version : 1.2.0.136
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingMaps_1.2.0.136_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingNews
Version : 1.2.0.135
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingNews_1.2.0.135_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingSports
Version : 1.2.0.135
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingSports_1.2.0.135_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingTravel
Version : 1.2.0.145
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingTravel_1.2.0.145_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.BingWeather
Version : 1.2.0.135
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.BingWeather_1.2.0.135_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.Bing
Version : 1.2.0.137
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.Bing_1.2.0.137_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : microsoft.microsoftskydrive
Version : 16.4.4204.712
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : microsoft.microsoftskydrive_16.4.4204.712_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.Reader
Version : 6.2.8516.0
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.Reader_6.2.8516.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps
Version : 16.4.4206.722
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_16.4.4206.722_x64__8wekyb3d8bb
we

DisplayName : microsoft.windowsphotos
Version : 16.4.4204.712
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : microsoft.windowsphotos_16.4.4204.712_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

DisplayName : Microsoft.XboxLIVEGames
Version : 1.0.927.0
Architecture : x64
ResourceId :
PackageName : Microsoft.XboxLIVEGames_1.0.927.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

[MrJinje]

Thanks, guess they are the exactly the same, save for the 'x64' bit.

This post has been edited by MrJinje: 30 August 2012 - 04:03 AM

[MrJinje]

Quote

Quoted from Computermensch of technet.
The rest (i.e. the layout) you can probably only find cached in part locally inside \Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer and \Local\Microsoft\Windows\RoamingTiles (the last folder only seem to contain stuff if your Windows account is connected to (or is in fact a qualified) Microsoft Account).

These are the files names I found in mine, curious to know if anyones else's names are slightly different or not. When I get a chance I will drop these into my unattended install and see if I can't get it to push my custom start screen settings on first boot.

C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\TileCacheDefault-2447812_80.dat
C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\TileCacheLogo-2448125_100.dat
C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\TileCacheStartView-2447328_80.dat
C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\TileCacheTickle-2447937_80.dat

[Tripredacus]

My numbers are different. They start with 159... this number seems to be a timestamp.

How did you go about this already? I found that Windows won't let me personalize anything unless the OS is activated. Kinda hard to test that way if you ask me. I searched the registry for a place that maybe I can change what "wallpaper" is on the "ImmersiveShell" but there wasn't really anything that stood out.

[tazmaniandevil]

I finally worked this one out through trial and error. It is not at all intuitive, and I have no idea how to do it any other way.

Customise your desktop on a test account then run sysprep and boot into audit mode. Copy the appsFolder.itemdata-ms and appsFolderLayout.bin files from %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows to the system you develop your images on.
Mount your install.wim file using DISM, and copy the 2 files into Users\default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows
Unmount the image.

It's a PITA having to mount/unmount after each new addition to the desktop, but I guess this will become less frequent once we are all happy with the distribution image.

If anyone knows of an easier method, please tell.

[MagicAndre1981]

Is the $OEM$ method not working?

sources\$OEM$\$1\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows

Have you tried this? Should be easier instead of mounting the image all time.

[tazmaniandevil]

I tried that to begin with, but at some point it seemed to be over-writing my settings. I tried adding them from a batch file using RunSynchronous too, and it was only partially successful. I suspect it's a permission thing.

[MagicAndre1981]

ok

[maxXPsoft]

bummer
Can't string them together as you can do with packages or I haven't got it right yet
Dism.exe /image:D:\zMountDir /Remove-ProvisionedAppxPackage /PackageName:Microsoft.BingFinance_1.2.0.135_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe /PackageName:Microsoft.BingMaps_1.2.0.136_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

But the desktop Metro is looking better removing all from my .wim

And then Unpin the rest

 unpin.JPG (26.45K)
Number of downloads: 13

This post has been edited by maxXPsoft: 12 November 2012 - 08:15 PM