The Remote Connection Facilitator is now RCF+ !!
RCF+ is a
Microsoft Windows Vista/7 Sidebar Gadget that will assist you in automatically displaying and connecting to remote computers and Active Directory user objects. This utility
queries for objects in Active Directory, displays the results, and allows you to
connect to the machines using Offer Remote Assistance or Remote Desktop with a simple mouse click. The utility has a drop
down menu so you can search for machines or users by Organizational Units. Additionally, RCF+ provides a number of utilities that allow you to
display information and manage functions of a remote computer or an Active Directory user object. You can now unlock Active Directory user accounts, change and reset passwords,
edit name and contact information and more!
UPDATE *** UPDATE *** I am being told (I have not verified) that Microsoft has corrected the problem of Forefront wrongly detecting this utility as a virus ***
ATTENTION: MICROSOFT FOREFRONT ANTI-VIRUS USERS! Microsoft Forefront may detect this gadget as a virus.
If you use any other anti-virus software such as McAfee, Symantec, AVG, Trend Micro, etc, you can safely proceed with the download and use this gadget.
If you use IE8 it will complain that This download has been reported as unsafe because Forefront reports the false positive virus detection to
Microsoft's SmartScreen Filter. This issue is being worked on but for now... Sorry Microsoft Forefront users, you cannot use this gadget.
Version 2.00, released 5/22/2009 -
DOWNLOAD ~
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View User & Troubleshooting Guide
See installation INSTRUCTIONS below
PLEASE USE THE NEW FORUM TO REPORT ISSUES, ASK QUESTIONS OR COMMENT ON THIS PRODUCT
FEATURES:
NEW Features in 2.00
- Search Active Directory for USERS or MACHINES
- Edit basic Active Directory user data
- Change user passwords
- Unlock user accounts
- Force password change on next logon
- Machine names now use FQDN
- ENTER key press initiates action on object (Thanks to John Butrym for this feature)
- View password age and last logon info for user
- Object list now displays Active Directory Description field
- Object list now supports searching by typing in first 3 - 5 characters of object
- New size and colors of main gadet
- Error logging has been added
- One-Click Google search for running processes on remote machines
Core Features
- Dynamically search Active Directory OU's / Containers for objects (users or machines)
- Search single level or nested organizational units for objects
- Supports a TARGETED nested OU search
- Connect to target machine with Offer Remote Assistance
- Connect to target machine with Remote Desktop
- Remote Desktop console session (administrative) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 machines
- Remote Desktop console session (administrative) on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 machines
- Modify Active Directory User Account data and passwords
- Reset/Unlock user accounts
- Stores up to 4 unique configurations (ie. domains)
Additional Features
- Utility mode, for targeted machines
- Reboot remote machine
- Shutdown remote machine
- Explore C$ of targeted machine
- Display Remote Processes
- Kill Remote Processes
- Display services running on remote machine
- Stop/Start services on remote machine
- View current logged on user and other basic info
- Remotely retrieve serial number of machines
- Remotely retrieve Operating System version of machines
- Dynamic web links to vendor web sites based on machine manufacturer
- Alternate credentials may be used
- Containers (ie. computers) can be specified for computer searches along with OU's
- Can store up to four unique configurations
- Queries Microsoft Active Directory for OS version and service pack level
- Choose from 5 different "skin" colors for the main gadget
- Compact yet functional docked size on the Windows Sidebar
- Larger undocked size for easier viewing and alternate screen placement
- More - see actual program for the MANY features
SCROLL DOWN to view the Screen Shots, usage instructions, and requirements.
DOWNLOAD ~
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View User & Troubleshooting Guide
If you have found this utility useful please consider making a DONATION. Donations help keep this site running
and provide resources to enhance and develop new scripts.
SCREEN SHOTS of Version 2.00
Main Gadget - Docked on Windows Sidebar
Gadget Flyout - Access to all functions - BASIC INFO showing
Gadget Flyout - Processes All
Gadget Flyout - Processes One
Gadget Flyout - Services
Gadget Flyout - User, Account Tab
Gadget Flyout - User, General Tab
Gadget Settings Dialog
INSTRUCTIONS
First-time use
- Download the file R-C-F-plus.zip to your local drive on your Windows Vista or Windows 7 computer
- Rename the file with a .gadget extension. In other words, change the ZIP extension to GADGET
- Double click the renamed file: R-C-F-plus.gadget
- Choose INSTALL
- Edit your settings/configuration as desired
Download the Complete User & Troubleshooting Guide
REQUIREMENTS
Program itself
- Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows 7 Machine
- Administrative rights on the local machine
Utility Mode
- Administrative rights on the Target Computers
- If the Windows firewall is enabled you need the following exceptions (can be set in a GPO)
- Allow remote administration exception
- Allow file and printer sharing exception
Offer Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop
- All of these settings can be set in a GPO
- Member of "Offer Remote Assistance Helpers" group on target machines
- Member of "Remote Desktop Users" group on target machines
- Need to "Allow users to remotely connect to this computer" on target machines
- Need to "Allow helpers to remotely control the computer" on target machines
- If Windows firewall is enabled you need the following exceptions
- Allow Remote Desktop exception
- Program Exceptions:
- %SystemRoot%\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Binaries\helpsvc.exe
- %SystemRoot%\System32\Sessmgr.exe
Try these links for more assistance with setting up your target computers with these requirements:
How to configure a computer to receive Remote Assistance offers
Windows XP SP2 Firewall blocks offer Remote Assistance FIX
Permission Denied FIX for Windows XP Service Pack 2
Remote Assistance FAQ for Technical Users
Do you want to make this application even more powerful? Why not configure all of the Microsoft Windows XP workstaions in your domain
to auto accept an Offer Remote Assistance request. Yes, you no longer have to explain to the end users over the telephone
that they have to answer "OK" on a pop-up window to allow you to connect. Now you can automatically connect and take control
of the end user's computer without the "pop-up and wait" annoyance. Follow these instructions to rollout this feature to
the computers in your environment.
FAQ - RCF for Microsoft Windows Vista
Q. How do I backup my configuration settings?
A. The RCF utility stores its settings in two locations, the registry and the application data folder under your user profile.
The registy stores the domain DN information and all other settings from the settings page EXCEPT the OU distinquished names,
those are stored in text files in your profile. To backup your settings simply export the following registry key:
"HKCU\Software\Remote-Connection-Facilitator" and save the file. Then copy all files from the following directory:
"C:\Users\Your-LogOn-Name\AppData\Local\Remote-Connection-Facilitator\" to a safe place.
Q. How do I restore my configuration settings?
A. Import the registry file that was exported in the previous step. Copy the INI files that you backed up in the previous step
and paste them into the folder: "C:\Users\Your-LogOn-Name\AppData\Local\Remote-Connection-Facilitator\"
replacing any existing files in this location
Q. Where did the remote desktop 'direct connect' shortcut link go?
A. It is still on the front of the gadget it is simply disquised. It is the RCF computer logo on the top of the gadget.
simply mouse click on the RCF computer logo on the front of the Vista gadget and the remote desktop connection window will open.
Q. Can I create my own skins for the RCF Microsoft Windows Vista gadget?
A. Although the skins for RCF are hard-coded IT IS actually possible to modify them to your liking if you stay within the following
constraints. The skin files (images) must remain the same dimensional size and must keep the existing file names. The skin files are
stored in the following folder: "C:\Users\Your-LogOn-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets\RCF.gadget\themes" Modify
the color, look, style, but keep the images the same size and name. Save them back into their original folders and thats it. The other
minor restraint is that the names of the skins on the settings page cannot be changed. Not that "big-a-deal" because you simply choose one
and click OK. If you modified skin 1 it is the first option on the settings page. If you modified skin 5 it is the last skin option
on the settings page. I realize it is a bit crude but look on the bright side, at least this version has skin color options. The previous
version did not. AND... it is still a FREE Windows Vista gadget :-)
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