NetExec
NetExec V2.1
NetExec V2.1 improves support for personalized desktop settings. It is now possible to use a user-specific background images for each desktop.
- Support for desktop images
If the user profile of a desktop session defines a background image, NetExec now activates the image when switching to the desktop.
- Maintaining of desktop geometry settings
Similar to the support of desktop backgrounds, NetExec now saves and restores geometry information for each desktop separately. This includes specifically the position of the taskbar and the resulting client area used for maximized windows.
- Improved protection for CustomClients
All sensitive information stored in CustomClients is no longer encrypted by the CustomClients themselves, but passed to the NetExec service. This prevents attacks by means of debugging tools.
- New installer
The installer of NetExec has been significantly improved.
New in NetExec V2.0
NetExec V2.0 has been completely redesigned to support UNICODE and offers a lot of new options like logon scripts, mapping of home drives and session-specific DOS devices:
- Compatibility patch for MS Outlook and other applications
Some applications, like Microsoft Outlook, are not designed for a multi-user environment and refuse to run in more than one instance at a time. The new NetExec Application Compatibility layer (NEAppComp.dll) can make these applications work.
- Win+<Key> hotkey support
If dealing with multiple desktops, the shells' hotkeys (Win+E, Win+R, Win+D, ...) are now rooted to the active desktop.
- Screensaver now runs even ib protected sessions
The screen saver is now activated even if the current input session is password protected. (Note that always the primary users screen saver is executed. This is by design.)
- Desktops can be created in background
Desktop-Manager now provides an option to create a new desktop in the background. This is especially useful for creation of desktops from shell shortcuts or batch files during logon.
- Desktop-Manager now supports execution of logon scripts
Desktop-Manager now provides an option to execute the users' login script if creating a new desktop.
- Automatic mapping of home drives
Both LocalExec and Desktop-Manager now provide an option to automatically map the personal home drive of an user account.
- Session independent drive letter namespace (Windows 2000)
In Windows 2000 and Windows NT4 the drive letters namespace is a global resource. It is shared by all Sessions. This means for example that a drive letter P: can not be mapped to \\SERVER\Tom in one session and to \\SERVER\Helga in another session.
Beginning with Windows XP Microsoft has changed this. Now each session gets an independent set of drive letters, which is a great improvement.
For Windows 2000 (but not for NT4) LocalExec and Desktop-Manager provide a new option to mimic the Windows XP behavior and to provide each session a (pseudo-)independent set of drive letters.
- More convenient and secure default settings in LocalExec and Desktop-Manager
If you run LocalExec or create a new desktop in Desktop-Manager, some options that have been disabled by default in prior versions of NetExec are now enabled and vice versa. This is for security and convenience reasons. For example the Close on primary logoff option is now checked by default.
- Better environment support
NetExec now includes some environment variables in the environment block of a new created process or desktop which have not been present in prior versions. This includes the standard variables HOMEDRIVE, HOMEPATH and HOMESHARE, but also the new NetExec-specific environment variables NESESSION, NEDESKTOP and NEOWNDOSDEVICES.
- LocalExec and CustomClients return exit code of called program
FIf started in synchronous mode (/WAIT), LocalExec and CustomClients now return the exit code of the called application. This is useful for case discrimination in batch files.
- UNICODE support
For better internationalization support, NetExec has been ported completely to UNICODE and now supports user accounts and passwords with non-ANSI characters.
New in NetExec V1.61
NetExec V1.61 enables you to prevent your CustomClients of beeing misused by including MD5 checksums over the target to execute. It also contains a workaround for a bug in Windows 2000 SP3 that causes problems if executing 16 bit apps.
- CustomClients with target checking
CustomClient-Creator now supports a new option, which lets you include a MD5 checksum of the target to execute in the CustomClient. Later on the actual target is checked against this sum and execution is canceled if the target has been changed.
- Workaround for bug in Windows 2000 SP3
Windows 2000 SP3 refuses to run a 16 bit app as another user with extended group memberships, unless an Administrator has been logged in. This is obviously a bug in SP3, NetExec V1.61 contains a workaround.
New in NetExec V1.6
In Version 1.6 especially user interface improvements have been implemented.
- Splash Screen with new desktops name if switching desktops
If you switch desktops, Desktop-Manager now shows for a short period a splash screen with the name of the new desktop. If you have more than two desktops open, this makes navigation between them much easier.
- Improved tray icon functionality
If switching desktops by clicking the tray icon, it is now possible to skip password protected desktops.
The tip-window that is shown if you move the cursor over the Desktop-Manager tray icon, now shows beside the desktop name also the account used to create this desktop.
If you click the tray icon with the middle mouse button or the mouse wheel, the "New desktop session" windows appears.
- Improved detection of shell crashes
Due to bugs in the implementation of the windows shell (especially on Windows 2000), Deskman sometimes reported shell crashes while the shell itself was still running fine. This was happening mostly on Windows 2000 systems and after returning from hibernation. Now the shell crash detection algorithm works differently and less "hysterically" and should work fine even on Windows 2000.
- Auto completion of file paths in LocalExec
On Windows 2000 and Windows XP or NT 4 with Internet Explorer 5.0 or above, LocalExec now uses the well-known auto completion feature if editing file paths.
New in NetExec V1.51
NetExec V1.51 contains some small bug fixes and a lot of improvements for CustomClient-Creator.
- Extended user interface for CustomClientCreator
The CustomClient-Creator user interface has been extended. It is now possible to create more than one client without having to restart the program. A context sensitive help system is now also available.
- Create editable CustomClients
It is now possible to create CustomClients, that can later be modified by loading them again into the CustomClient-Creator. This is especially useful for users, which change their passwords regular, because they now do not have to recreate all CustomClients. Special security features ensure that nobody can abuse this option.
- Command Line Interface for NEClientCreator
The CustomClient-Creator now has a complete command line interface. Using this it is now possible to create or modify (e.g. setting new passwords) CustomClients for batch jobs.
New in NetExec V1.5
NetExec V1.5 has been improved for Windows XP and contains a new CustomClient-Creator.
- Extended group membership now also available for CustomClients
The extended group membership feature is now also available for CustomClients. NetExec 1.5 contains an extended version of CustomClient-Creator.
Note: Clients created with CustomClient-Creator (CCC) V1.5 will also run on NetExec 1.45 installations. So you can utilize the new features without having to roll out a NetExec update to every computer. Of course CustomClients created with an older version of CCC still run on NetExec 1.5.
- Support for Windows XP and Windows 2000 Terminal Server
LocalExec and CustomClients now also work from Terminal Server sessions and additional logon sessions created by Windows XPs "Fast user switching".
- Workaround for nasty bug in Windows 2000 shell
On Windows 2000 it sometimes happens that, after the system awaked from suspension or hibernation, the shell process (Explorer.exe) does no longer respond to Desktop-Manager, which leads Deskman to show a dialog telling that the shell has crashed. This is a bug in the Windows 2000 shell and seems to be solved in Windows XP. NetExec V1.5 contains a workaround for this.
New in NetExec V1.45
Compared to V1.34 NetExec 1.45 brings you a lot of improvements:
- Improved usability
The user interface of all programs has been extended. The windows are now resizable and the focus jumps directly to the password fields if the account is known.
- Extended group memberships
If you create a new session with LocalExec or Desktop-Manager you can now extend the new session by an additional group membership. Using this you can, for example, work with admin rights but in your own (non admin) account and with your own profile.
- Desktop-Manager
If you use the shortcuts defined in the NetExec configuration to switch between desktops, it is now possible to jump over a password protected desktop
It is now possible to use alternate programs as shell process for new desktops.
A Workaround to close copies of the primary session is now available.
The "Taskbar not working properly after closing a desktop" problem, that occurred if you use Desktop-Manager with recent versions of the shell (IE4 or above with ActiveDesktop) or Windows 2000, has been solved.
- LocalExec
LocalExec now has an improved command line parser that allows to build complex command lines with spaces and quotes.
- New help system
The NetExec help system has been rebuild. All windows now support context sensitive help.
- Setup
NetExec now has a "real" setup program to install and uninstall the product.
- Who
The who.exe utility has been extended. It is now able to show group memberships, privileges and additional information about the current user account. Type who /? in a command window to find out more about the new features.