LeoMoon AUTOM8r

LeoMoon AUTOM8r is a profile-based Windows configuration and automation tool built using AutoIt. We designed this tool to create identical Windows setups and images without relying on dependencies like Active Directory, WinRM, or OpenSSH. With AUTOM8r, you can apply various system configurations, install and uninstall applications, and run custom scripts based on settings defined in an INI file.

Features

• Apply system configurations and modifications
• Install and uninstall applications silently
• Manage environment variables
• Pin applications to the taskbar
• Run custom scripts during different stages of setup
• Network-based installation support

Prerequisites

• Windows 10 or later
• AutoIt installed (for development purposes)
• Administrative privileges for execution
• Network location to host the files

Categories of Automation

1. Copy Required Files

Copies the necessary files from the specified network location to the local machine. This includes setup files and any additional resources needed for the configuration.

2. Configure Environment Variables

Defines and adds environment variables as specified in the AUTOM8r.ini file. This ensures that the necessary paths and variables are set up correctly for the system and applications.

3. Run Init-Mods (Initial Modification Scripts)

Executes initial modification scripts defined in the [init-mods] section of the INI file. These scripts run before the application installation and can perform tasks like setting system configurations, changing PC names, or disabling UAC.

4. Install Fonts

The font installation process involves installing fonts located in fonts\common on all hosts and installing fonts located in fonts\hostname on individual hosts if the directory exists. Below is a detailed explanation and an improved version of the script provided for installing fonts on Windows.

• Common Fonts: The fonts in the fonts\common directory will be installed on all hosts.
• Host-specific Fonts: The fonts in the fonts\hostname directory will be installed only on the host with the corresponding name. If the hostname directory does not exist, only the common fonts will be installed.

5. Install Programs and Program Post Scripts

Installs applications silently using the commands defined in the [install-apps] section. Post-installation scripts can also be specified to run additional configuration tasks for each installed program.

6. Uninstall Programs

Uninstalls unwanted applications as specified in the [uninstall-apps] section. It works by identifying the application name and executing the uninstallation commands.

7. Cleanup Startup Registry

Removes specified keys from the startup registry to prevent unwanted programs from running at startup. This is defined in the [startup-reg-delete] section and checks common startup paths for the keys to be removed.

8. Run Post-Mods

Executes post-modification scripts defined in the [post-mods] section of the INI file. These scripts run after application installation to apply further system configurations and tweaks.

9. Run Specific Apps at the End (Optional)

Runs specific applications after all configurations and installations are complete. This is defined in the [run-apps] section and is useful for launching applications for further configuration.

10. Cleanup

Performs cleanup tasks such as removing temporary files, reversing temporary configurations, and finalizing the setup process. This ensures that the system is left in a clean state after automation.

Getting Started

Setup

• Network Location:
  • Ensure the necessary files and folders are available at a network location accessible by the target machines.
  • Example: \\example.local\public\AUTOM8r

That looks good! Here's a slightly refined version for clarity:

Directory Structure

• Root Directory:

  • AUTOM8r.exe - The compiled AutoIt script.
  • AUTOM8r.ini - Configuration file.
  • modules - Directory containing all the required files and scripts.

• Modules Directory:

  • init-mods - Folder containing initial modification scripts.
  • post-mods - Folder containing post-modification scripts.
  • install-apps - Folder containing application setup files and post-install scripts.
    • Application setup files should be named in the format appnameSetup.(exe|msi|iso).
    • Post-install scripts should be named in the format appnamePost.bat.
  • tools - Folder containing tools used by AUTOM8r.

Execute the Program

• Copy AUTOM8R.exe and AUTOM8r.ini profile to the target computer.
• Run AUTOM8r.exe with administrative privileges on the target machine.

Configuration

Copy the AUTOM8r.ini file and create a profile for each type of computer you want to automate. Define your setup parameters within each profile. In the INI file, 1 means the item will be executed, run, or installed, and 0 means it will be skipped.

Scripts bundled with AUTOM8r

These are the current scripts bundled with AUTOM8r. Users can extend it and add their own scripts by modifying the AUTOM8r.ini file and placing the corresponding script files in the appropriate directories.

List of init-mods Scripts (Initial Modification)

• Change PC Name.bat
• Disable UAC.bat
• Enable RDP.bat
• Enable Dark Theme.bat
• Enable Small Icons.bat
• Show Hidden Files.bat
• Change User Folder.bat
• Configure Date Time Format.bat
• Change Background To Mid Gray.bat
• Enable WSL.bat
• Enable Classic Context Menu.bat
• Enable Old Start And Taskbar.bat
• Show File Extensions.bat
• Disable Data Collection.bat
• Disable New App Notification.bat
• Disable Automatic Driver Update.bat
• Disable Recent.bat
• Disable Notification Center.bat
• Disable Cortana.bat
• Disable Hypervisor.bat
• Disable People Band.bat
• Disable Windows Ink.bat
• Disable Pen Flicks.bat
• Disable Tablet Mode.bat
• Disable Auto Recovery.bat
• Disable AutoPlay.bat
• Disable Program Compatibility Assistant Service.bat
• Disable Windows Search Service.bat
• Disable Windows Suggestions.bat
• Disable ThumbsDB.bat
• Disable Remote Assistance.bat
• Disable Storage Sense.bat
• Disable Auto Sign-on.bat
• Show All Tray Icons.bat
• Hide Task View Button.bat
• Hide Taskbar Keyboard Button.bat
• Cleanup Sound Devices.bat
• Remove Microsoft Quick Assist.bat
• Remove OneDrive.bat
• Add Additional Clocks.bat
• Add CMD To Right Click.bat
• Add Control Panel To Right Click.bat
• Add Network Connections To Right Click.bat
• Add Programs And Features To Right Click.bat
• Fix Network Drives Not Showing.bat
• Fix Downloads Folder Listing.bat
• Fix Icon Spacing.bat
• Configure PowerCFG.bat

List of Supported Applications

While this is the current list of supported applications that AUTOM8r can install silently, you can add your own application with silent swtich to the INI.

• 1password
• 7zip
• adobe-after-effects
• adobe-lightroom-classic
• adobe-media-encoder
• adobe-photoshop
• audacity
• autoit
• blender
• chrome
• cura
• docker
• dropbox
• everything
• exodus
• fastpictureviewer
• filezilla
• firefox
• gimp
• git
• inkscape
• inno
• jre
• krita
• libreoffice
• lockhunter
• mediainfo
• microsoft-office-2021
• npp
• obs
• ojdk
• openhashtab
• openshell
• openvpn
• parsinegar
• pcloud
• persian-keyboard
• potplayer
• python
• qview
• steam
• sumatrapdf
• telegram
• virtualbox
• visual-cpp
• vlc
• vmwarews
• vnc
• vsbuildtools
• vscode
• winrar

List of Post Application Scripts

• gitPost.bat
• potplayerPost.bat
• pythonPost.bat
• vscodePost.bat

List of post-mods Scripts (Post Modification)

• Cleanup.bat

Targeting Specific Windows Version for init-mods and post-mods Scripts

When writing batch scripts for init-mods and post-mods, you may need to target specific Windows version. Here is an example of how to do this:

wmic os get name | find "Windows 10 " > nul && (echo Windows 10 & GOTO :WIN_10)
wmic os get name | find "Windows 11 " > nul && (echo Windows 11 & GOTO :WIN_11)

exit /b

:WIN_10
@REM Tasks for Windows 10
exit /b

:WIN_11
@REM Tasks for Windows 11
exit /b

Adding New Applications

To add a new application to the configuration, you need to create a new section in the INI file. Below are the steps and guidelines for creating this section, including how to handle silent switches and ISO installations.

Example Section for a Standard Application

Here is a template for adding a standard application:

[appname]
display-name = Application Name
partial-search = 1
silent-switches = --silent
win-wait = disabled
click-element = disabled
process-close = disabled
run-close = disabled
post-setup = 0

• appname: Replace appname with the actual name of the application.
• display-name: The name that will be displayed in the application list. This in combination with partial-search is used to determine whether the application is already installed or not.
• partial-search: Set to 1 if partial matching should be used when searching for the application.
• silent-switches: The command-line switches used to perform a silent installation.
• win-wait: If you need to wait for a specific window to appear during the installation, provide the full path to the executable file that triggers the window. For example: win-wait = C:\Path\To\Executable.exe. Set to disabled to disable this feature.
• click-element: If you need to click a specific UI element during the installation, provide the details of the element to click. For example: click-element = button:install. Set to disabled to disable this feature.
• process-close: If you need to close a specific process after installation, provide the full path to the process executable. For example: process-close = C:\Path\To\Process.exe. Set to disabled to disable this feature.
• run-close: If you need to run then close the installed program to generate config files, provide the full path to the executable. For example: run-close = C:\Program Files\appname\appname.exe. Set to disabled to disable this feature.
• post-setup: Set to 1 will execute a post script named appnamePost.bat. Ensure that appnamePost.bat exists in the install-apps folder.

Character Replacement in Silent Switches

Due to INI file format limitations, certain characters in the silent switches must be replaced:

• Replace the equal sign (=) with |EQUAL|.
• Replace the comma (,) with |COMMA|.

These replacements are necessary to prevent the INI parser from misinterpreting the configuration.

Example:

Original silent switch:

--silent=value1,value2

Modified for INI file:

silent-switches = --silent|EQUAL|value1|COMMA|value2

Example Section for an ISO Installation

For applications that are installed from an ISO file, an additional setup-file key is required to specify the path to the setup file within the ISO.

[adobe-photoshop]
setup-file = Adobe 2024\Set-up.exe
display-name = Adobe Photoshop
partial-search = 1
silent-switches = --silent|EQUAL|1
win-wait = disabled
click-element = disabled
process-close = disabled
run-close = disabled
post-setup = 1

• appname: Replace appname with the actual name of the application.
• setup-file: The relative path to the setup file within the ISO. This can be an .exe, .msi, or .bat file.
• display-name: The name that will be displayed in the application list.
• partial-search: Set to 1 if partial matching should be used when searching for the application. This in combination with partial-search is used to determine whether the application is already installed or not.
• silent-switches: The command-line switches used to perform a silent installation. Replace = with |EQUAL| and , with |COMMA| as described above.
• win-wait: If you need to wait for a specific window to appear during the installation, provide the full path to the executable file that triggers the window. For example: win-wait = C:\Path\To\Executable.exe. Set to disabled to disable this feature.
• click-element: If you need to click a specific UI element during the installation, provide the details of the element to click. For example: click-element = button:install. Set to disabled to disable this feature.
• process-close: If you need to close a specific process after installation, provide the full path to the process executable. For example: process-close = C:\Path\To\Process.exe. Set to disabled to disable this feature.
• run-close: If you need to run then close the installed program to generate config files, provide the full path to the executable. For example: run-close = C:\Program Files\appname\appname.exe. Set to disabled to disable this feature.
• post-setup: Set to 1 will execute a post script named appnamePost.bat. Ensure that appnamePost.bat exists in the install-apps folder.

Unattended Windows Deployment

To automate the execution of AUTOM8r during an unattended Windows deployment, add the following commands to the FirstLogonCommands section of your unattend.xml:

<FirstLogonCommands>
    <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
        <Description>Enable SMB Guest Access</Description>
        <Order>1</Order>
        <CommandLine>reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters" /v AllowInsecureGuestAuth /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f</CommandLine>
    </SynchronousCommand>
    <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
        <Order>2</Order>
        <Description>Download AUTOM8r.exe</Description>
        <CommandLine>powershell -Command "$ProgressPreference = 'SilentlyContinue'; Copy-Item -Path '\\lmbts.local\public\AUTOM8r\AUTOM8r.exe' -Destination 'C:\Windows\Temp\AUTOM8r.exe'"</CommandLine>
    </SynchronousCommand>
    <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
        <Order>3</Order>
        <Description>Download AUTOM8r.ini</Description>
        <CommandLine>powershell -Command "$ProgressPreference = 'SilentlyContinue'; Copy-Item -Path '\\lmbts.local\public\AUTOM8r\AUTOM8r.ini' -Destination 'C:\Windows\Temp\AUTOM8r.ini'"</CommandLine>
    </SynchronousCommand>
    <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
        <Order>4</Order>
        <Description>Run AUTOM8r</Description>
        <CommandLine>powershell -Command "Start-Process -FilePath 'C:\Windows\Temp\AUTOM8r.exe' -ArgumentList '-q' -Verb RunAs"</CommandLine>
    </SynchronousCommand>
</FirstLogonCommands>

This ensures that AUTOM8r and its configuration file are downloaded and executed during the first logon, automating the entire setup process with administrative privileges.

Contributing

1. Fork the Repository:

   • Fork the project repository to your GitHub account.

2. Make Changes:

   • Implement your changes and test thoroughly.

3. Submit a Pull Request:

   • Submit a pull request with a detailed description of your changes.

License

LeoMoon AUTOM8r is freeware and open source. Feel free to modify and distribute it under the terms of the GPLv3 License.