Pestalozzi Lab Setup

This repository contains PowerShell scripts for configuring Pestalozzi laboratory computers with standardized naming, user accounts, and system settings.

Overview

The setup process is designed to quickly provision lab computers with:

• Standardized PC naming convention (PESTAL-ZAM-##)
• Two dedicated user accounts (Admin and Student)
• Automatic student login on startup
• Bloatware removal
• Browser configuration
• Hardware serial number tracking

Files

setup.ps1

The main configuration script that sets up a lab computer. Run this script first on each new lab PC.

What it does:

1. PC Naming - Prompts for PC number and renames computer to PESTAL-ZAM-## format
2. User Accounts - Creates or resets:
   • Admin account: Pestalozzi Admin (Password: Pest@l0zz!@2026)
   • Student account: Pestalozzi Student (No password required)
3. Account Cleanup - Removes all other user accounts for a clean slate
4. Auto-Login - Configures Windows to automatically log in the Student account
5. Browser Setup - Configures Microsoft Edge to open Google on startup
6. Bloatware Removal - Removes unwanted pre-installed apps (Solitaire, Spotify, TikTok, etc.)
7. System Restart - Restarts the computer to apply all changes

Usage:

# Run with administrator privileges
.\setup.ps1

When prompted, enter the PC number (e.g., 01, 02, 03, etc.). The computer will be renamed and restart automatically.

LogSerials.ps1

Logs hardware serial numbers to a USB-based tracking file.

What it does:

1. Retrieves the computer name and BIOS serial number
2. Extracts the PC number from the computer name
3. Searches all connected drives for pestalozzi_laptop_serial_number.txt
4. Appends a new entry in the format: ##. PESTAL-ZAM-## serial number XXXXXXXX

Usage:

# Run after setup.ps1 with a USB drive inserted containing the log file
.\LogSerials.ps1

This script requires the pestalozzi_laptop_serial_number.txt file to exist on a USB drive.

pestalozzi_laptop_serial_number.txt

A log file (typically on USB) that tracks all configured lab computers and their hardware serial numbers.

Format:

01. PESTAL-ZAM-01 serial number 5CD523CRQP
02. PESTAL-ZAM-02 serial number 5CD523CRS0
03. PESTAL-ZAM-03 serial number 5CD523CRS6
...

Quick Start Guide

First-Time Setup (On Each Lab PC)

1. Prepare a Windows PC - Ensure you have admin access and Windows 10/11 is installed

2. Download scripts - Clone or download this repository to the PC (or USB drive)

3. Run setup script:

   # Open PowerShell as Administrator
   # Navigate to the scripts directory
   cd path\to\pestalozzi.lab.setup
   
   # Execute setup
   Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force
   .\setup.ps1

4. Enter PC number - When prompted, type the PC number (e.g., 01 for the first computer)

5. Wait for completion - The script will configure everything and restart the computer

6. Log the serial number - After restart, run LogSerials.ps1 with the serial log USB inserted

Subsequent Runs

• You can run setup.ps1 again on the same PC to reset accounts and remove any extra users
• Use LogSerials.ps1 to update the hardware log with new serial numbers if needed

Account Credentials

Admin Account:

• Username: Pestalozzi Admin
• Password: Pest@l0zz!@2026

Student Account:

• Username: Pestalozzi Student
• Password: None (no password required, boots directly)

Computer Naming Convention

All lab computers follow this naming pattern: PESTAL-ZAM-##

• PESTAL = Institution prefix
• ZAM = Lab location code
• ## = Computer number (01–99)

Examples:

• PESTAL-ZAM-01
• PESTAL-ZAM-02
• PESTAL-ZAM-12

System Configuration Details

Removed Bloatware

• Solitaire
• Zune Video
• Bing News
• Skype
• Disney+
• Spotify
• TikTok

Browser Settings

• Microsoft Edge opens to Google on startup
• RestoreOnStartup configured

Auto-Login

• Student account logs in automatically
• Registry keys configured in HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Prerequisites

• Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise
• Administrator access
• PowerShell execution policy allowing script execution
• (For LogSerials.ps1) USB drive with pestalozzi_laptop_serial_number.txt file

Troubleshooting

PowerShell Execution Policy Error

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force

Auto-Login Not Working

• Verify the Student account password is set to blank (empty string)
• Check registry keys: HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Serial Number Not Logged

• Ensure pestalozzi_laptop_serial_number.txt exists on USB drive
• Check that USB drive is inserted before running LogSerials.ps1
• Verify write permissions to USB drive

Notes

• All scripts must be run with Administrator privileges
• The setup script removes all accounts except the two configured accounts (and Windows system accounts)
• Auto-login is disabled for the Admin account; only Student account auto-logs in
• Keep the admin password secure and share only with authorized IT staff

Support

For issues or questions, contact the Pestalozzi Lab IT administrator.