Purpose:

The purpose of this article is to teach you how to display a message when users try to log on to a domain of windows server 2003.

Message Display at Logon:

You can configure Windows Server to display a message to users when they log on. You can set the message display functionality to personalize the logon process, provide news or information and for other similar purposes. The message appears after the user presses CTRL+ALT+DEL and disappears after the user clicks OK. After the message disappears, the user can complete the logon process.

To configure windows server 2003 to display a massage

Follow these steps in order to accomplish the task

1.         On the domain controller, click Start, point to Programs, click Administrative Tools       and then click Domain Security Policy.

 

2.         Expand the following folder:

              Local PoliciesSecurity Options

3.         In the right pane, follow these steps to create the message:

§       Click Interactive logon: Message title for users attempting to log on, and then type the text that you want to appear in the title bar of the message dialog box.

§       Click Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on, and then type the text of the message that you want to appear in the message dialog box.

To configure an Organizational Unit to display a message when users log on

Follow these steps in order to accomplish the task

1.         On the domain controller, open the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in.

2.         Right-click the Organizational Unit that you want to display a message to its users when they log on to the domain and then click Properties.

3.         Click the Group Policy tab, and then click New.

4.         Type a name for the Group Policy object (GPO), and then press Enter.

5.         Click Edit.

6.         Expand to the following folder:

                  Computer ConfigurationWindows Settings Security SettingsLocal PoliciesSecurity Options

7.         In the right pane, follow these steps to create the message:

§       Click Interactive logon: Message title for users attempting to log on, and then type the text that you want to appear in the title bar of the message dialog box.

§       Click Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on, and then type the text of the message that you want to appear in the message dialog box.

Summary:

If you use a Group Policy setting to configure Windows Server to display a message when users log on, the operating system writes the registry changes. You can also configure a stand alone computer to display a message when users try to logon to that computer.