There are a few configuration changes that I make on computers that need to be set in the Windows registry.
With having over 600 computers that I oversee, making sure certain settings are configured are needed. Our System Admins do a good job at configuring most things – but there are other changes that I like to take on myself.
One of those configuration items that I change in the registry is to disable the automatic loading of Microsoft Office Communicator when new users login. In many circumstances, the program is not used – and should not be used – by the majority of our staff. So when a new user logs into a computer, we do not want Microsoft Office Communicator automatically starting.
To remove the automatic loading of Office Communicator when new users sign into a Windows computer, you’ll need to make a change in the registry. This setting is stored in the ntuser.dat file in the C:\Documents and Settings\Default User folder.
So to disable Microsoft Office Communicator from loading in the registry, open up the Registry program (regedit.exe). Click the HKEY_USERS key and then to up to File and choose “Load Hive”.
You will then browse to the C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\NTUser.DAT file. Open this file and it will ask you to name it. Simply enter ‘ntuser’.
Now, you have loaded the default user registry hive so you can make the change needed. Go here in the registry:
HKEY_USERS\ntuser\Software\Microsoft
Now you need to create a new folder here – so right-click in Microsoft, choose New and then Key. You will name this key “Communicator”.
After the folder has been made, ensure you have the Communicator folder selected. Now, you need to create a new REG_DWORD entry.
Right-click in the white pane on the right-side and click New – DWORD Value. The name of the key needs to be “AutoRunWhenLogonToWindows”.
Now, give this key a value of “0” to disable Microsoft Office Communicator from automatically starting up upon login. If you want it enabled, set the setting to “1”.