Create script that handles registry variables

[Thouldre]

I heard good things about the AutoHotKey community so I am hoping you guys can help me with this :

How to create a script that changes the location (Category) of all network profiles from "public" (0) to "private" (1) and handles variables like the random generated folder names for each network?
Also the amount of folders will increase with time as the device will connect to more networks...

[qwerty12]

Thanks to Lexikos and HotKeyIt who showed me the proper way to do this

Run this as administrator:

Code: Select all

#NoEnv
#NoTrayIcon
SetBatchLines, -1

NetworkListManager := ComObjCreate("{DCB00C01-570F-4A9B-8D69-199FDBA5723B}")
IEnumNetworkConnections := NetworkListManager.GetNetworks(NLM_ENUM_NETWORK_ALL := 3)
for INetwork in IEnumNetworkConnections
		INetwork.SetCategory(1) ; NLM_NETWORK_CATEGORY_PRIVATE

Using the COM interface to do this is better than manipulating the registry directly because:

• it's an actual documented way(!)
• if you're connected to a network at the time of running the script, the active network's designated category will change on-the-fly - when changing the active network's Registry key, IIRC reconnection or a restart is required to effect change

[BoBo]

Thanks to Lexikos and HotKeyIt who showed me the proper way to do this

Run this as administrator:

Spoiler

Code: Select all

#NoEnv
#NoTrayIcon
SetBatchLines, -1

NetworkListManager := ComObjCreate("{DCB00C01-570F-4A9B-8D69-199FDBA5723B}")
IEnumNetworkConnections := NetworkListManager.GetNetworks(NLM_ENUM_NETWORK_ALL := 3)
for INetwork in IEnumNetworkConnections
		INetwork.SetCategory(1) ; NLM_NETWORK_CATEGORY_PRIVATE

Using the COM interface to do this is better than manipulating the registry directly because:

• it's an actual documented way(!)
• if you're connected to a network at the time of running the script, the active network's designated category will change on-the-fly - when changing the active network's Registry key, IIRC reconnection or a restart is required to effect change

GMX (a German email provider) offers to connect to a members media center using WebDav.
After mapping the network-drive (to Z:) I've searched the registry for any changes and came up with this:

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1277220127-497109434-765616382-1000\Network\Z]
"RemotePath"="https://webdav.mc.gmx.net"
"UserName"="<member@gmx.de>"
"ProviderName"="Web Client Network"
"ProviderType"=dword:002e0000
"ConnectionType"=dword:00000001
"DeferFlags"=dword:00000001

Question: would qwerty12's method allow that on-the-fly change/setting, instead of doing any RegWrite/explorer-refresh workaround?
Thx for listening.

[qwerty12]

Question: would qwerty12's method allow that on-the-fly change/setting, instead of doing any RegWrite/explorer-refresh workaround?
Thx for listening.

No, that's something different. I've not tested it, but DriveMap should allow you to map a WebDAV server to a drive letter from an AutoHotkey script (and the changes should take effect then and there).

[BoBo]

Question: would qwerty12's method allow that on-the-fly change/setting, instead of doing any RegWrite/explorer-refresh workaround?
Thx for listening.

No, that's something different. I've not tested it, but DriveMap should allow you to map a WebDAV server to a drive letter from an AutoHotkey script (and the changes should take effect then and there).

Thx

[Thouldre]

Thanks to Lexikos and HotKeyIt who showed me the proper way to do this

Run this as administrator:

Code: Select all

#NoEnv
#NoTrayIcon
SetBatchLines, -1

NetworkListManager := ComObjCreate("{DCB00C01-570F-4A9B-8D69-199FDBA5723B}")
IEnumNetworkConnections := NetworkListManager.GetNetworks(NLM_ENUM_NETWORK_ALL := 3)
for INetwork in IEnumNetworkConnections
		INetwork.SetCategory(1) ; NLM_NETWORK_CATEGORY_PRIVATE

Using the COM interface to do this is better than manipulating the registry directly because:

• it's an actual documented way(!)
• if you're connected to a network at the time of running the script, the active network's designated category will change on-the-fly - when changing the active network's Registry key, IIRC reconnection or a restart is required to effect change

Thank you very much! But there still is a problem: I am connected to a VPN via the TAP Adapter which uses the "public" profile and my firewall is precisely configured that way.
So maybe there is a way to make an exception for OpenVPN but force everything else to use "private"?

[qwerty12]

So maybe there is a way to make an exception for OpenVPN but force everything else to use "private"?

You could avoid specific connections by connection name:

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for INetwork in ComObjCreate("{DCB00C01-570F-4A9B-8D69-199FDBA5723B}").GetNetworks(3) { ; NLM_ENUM_NETWORK_ALL
		if (INetwork.GetName() == "<name of specific connection name>") { ; use MsgBox % INetwork.GetName() inside a loop like this one if you want to find out your available choices
			INetwork.SetCategory(0) ; NLM_NETWORK_CATEGORY_PUBLIC
			; or comment the above line to leave the setting as it is, instead of forcing the Public category to be set, and just
			continue
		} else {
			INetwork.SetCategory(1) ; NLM_NETWORK_CATEGORY_PRIVATE
		}
}

For connected connections only, you can try this if you want to filter by adapter name:

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VarSetCapacity(adapterGuid, 16), VarSetCapacity(adapterGuidStr, 140), adapters := GetAdaptersAddresses()

for INetwork in ComObjCreate("{DCB00C01-570F-4A9B-8D69-199FDBA5723B}").GetNetworks(1) { ; NLM_ENUM_NETWORK_CONNECTED
	for k, v in INetwork.GetNetworkConnections() {
		try if ((INetworkConnection := ComObjQuery(k, "{DCB00005-570F-4A9B-8D69-199FDBA5723B}"))) {
			if (DllCall(NumGet(NumGet(INetworkConnection+0)+12*A_PtrSize), "Ptr", INetworkConnection, "Ptr", &adapterGuid) == 0) { ; ::GetAdapterId
				if (DllCall("ole32\StringFromGUID2", "Ptr", &adapterGuid, "WStr", adapterGuidStr, "Int", 68)) {
					if (adapters[adapterGuidStr].Description == "<name of network adapter>") { ; also look at FriendlyName instead of Description
						INetwork.SetCategory(0) ; NLM_NETWORK_CATEGORY_PUBLIC
						noop := "or comment the above line to leave the setting as it is, instead of forcing the Public category to be set" ; for lack of a better option in AutoHotkey...
					} else {
						INetwork.SetCategory(1) ; NLM_NETWORK_CATEGORY_PRIVATE
					}
				}
			}
			ObjRelease(INetworkConnection)
		}
	}
}

; just me: https://autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=18768
GetAdaptersAddresses()
{
	; initial call to GetAdaptersAddresses to get the size needed
	If (DllCall("iphlpapi.dll\GetAdaptersAddresses", "UInt", 2, "UInt", 0, "Ptr", 0, "Ptr", 0, "UIntP", Size) = 111) ; ERROR_BUFFER_OVERFLOW
		If !(VarSetCapacity(Buf, Size, 0))
			Return "Memory allocation failed for IP_ADAPTER_ADDRESSES struct"

	; second call to GetAdapters Addresses to get the actual data we want
	If (DllCall("iphlpapi.dll\GetAdaptersAddresses", "UInt", 2, "UInt", 0, "Ptr", 0, "Ptr", &Buf, "UIntP", Size) != 0) ; NO_ERROR
		Return "Call to GetAdaptersAddresses failed with error: " . A_LastError

	Addr := &Buf
	Adapters := {}
	While (Addr) {
		AdapterName := StrGet(NumGet(Addr + 8, A_PtrSize, "Uptr"), "CP0")
		Description := StrGet(NumGet(Addr + 8, A_PtrSize * 7, "UPtr"), "UTF-16")
		FriendlyName := StrGet(NumGet(Addr + 8, A_PtrSize * 8, "UPtr"), "UTF-16")
		Adapters[AdapterName] := {Description: Description, FriendlyName: FriendlyName}
		Addr := NumGet(Addr + 8, "UPtr") ; *Next
	}
	Return Adapters
}

(Also, if anybody knows the magic incantation to retrieve a GUID through INetworkConnection's IDispatch interface, compared to me going for the more simple option of calling GetAdapterId directly from the vtable, please let me know)

[Thouldre]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really appreciate your time! It's working as hoped!
I decided to use a combination of the first and the third script. First one always at startup and the third as a scheduled task triggered when connected to a new network.

I hope you can answer this question: How to execute a script automatically at startup before a user logs in?

[qwerty12]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really appreciate your time! It's working as hoped!
I decided to use a combination of the first and the third script. First one always at startup and the third as a scheduled task triggered when connected to a new network.

Good to hear (and thanks for the Task Scheduler idea)

I hope you can answer this question: How to execute a script automatically at startup before a user logs in?

Hmm, what are you trying to do? I wrote a mishmash of functions for running AutoHotkey on the logon screen's desktop, but that might be overkill for your purposes - you might be able to get away with just having Task Scheduler to just start a simple script in the services session...

[Thouldre]

I've converted the .ahk to .exe and created an scheduled task to run it when a user logs in. That works, but I need to run the .exe at startup not at login which means before a user even has to login.

I ticked "run whether user is logged on or not" and switched the trigger from user logon to startup but unfortunately that is not working... Why?

[qwerty12]

I ticked "run whether user is logged on or not" and switched the trigger from user logon to startup but unfortunately that is not working... Why?

Assuming it's this script you want to run and that your task scheduler settings set to run the script as a user with enough privileges, Task Scheduler might be starting your script before the Network List Service service is started. I don't really know enough about what's going on here to be able to give you a definitive answer. Other than waiting for the service to start, you can use your original idea of manipulating the registry directly (not tested):

Code: Select all

Loop, Reg, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles, K
{
	currKey := A_LoopRegKey . "\" . A_LoopRegSubKey "\" . A_LoopRegName
	RegRead, ProfileName, %currKey%, ProfileName
	if (!ErrorLevel) {
		if (ProfileName != "<name of profile>") {
			RegWrite, REG_DWORD, %currKey%, CategoryType, 0
			RegWrite, REG_DWORD, %currKey%, Category, 1 ; private network: set to 0 for a public designated one
		}
	}
}

[Thouldre]

Thanks, the script is working but unfortunately not as a scheduled task. At least now I know the issue lies with task scheduler!

Thank you for your time and work! You were a huge help! Thanks!

[Thouldre]

I still have a small question if you don't mind: How to completely disable or hide the following question of Windows or maybe just click automatically yes?

[qwerty12]

How to completely disable or hide the following question of Windows or maybe just click automatically yes?

Sorry, I don't know - I keep my UAC level at the highest, which disables that window automatically, but, erm, doing that might be a bit drastic for that purpose....

[Thouldre]

I've created a scheduled task to take care of that which means this prompt is not only unnecessary it's also a security risk if accidentally clicked.

Found the solution! If somebody has or is going to have the same issue, just add the following registry key:

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network\NewNetworkWindowOff

[eekhelpspike]

I have a slightly different problem, and this looks like a good starting point for fixing it. I have a 2003 DC and all my PCs are beating the DC to booting, and not properly connecting to the domain. Their connections show up as "Network #" and a profile of "public". If I disable/re-enable the connection, the connection connects with the proper "Domain" profile (contoso.local). I guess if there doesn't exist a "domain" connection, reset all network adapters? Does the GetNetworks() differentiate between "private" and "domain"? I tried for INetwork in ComObjCreate("{DCB00C01-570F-4A9B-8D69-199FDBA5723B}").GetNetworks(2) and it returns the same value as "3" (all the public connections).

[eekhelpspike]

Ok, so I got this far:

Spoiler

for INetwork in ComObjCreate("{DCB00C01-570F-4A9B-8D69-199FDBA5723B}").GetNetworks(1) { ; 1 is NLM_ENUM_NETWORK_CONNECTED, 3 is NLM_ENUM_NETWORK_ALL
if (INetwork.GetCategory() <> 2) { ; 2 is NLM_NETWORK_CATEGORY_DOMAIN_AUTHENTICATED
NetworkName := INetwork.GetName()
;NetworkName := INetwork.GetDescription()
msgbox % NetworkName
RunWait, netsh interface set interface "%NetworkName%" DISABLED,,hide
Sleep,10000
RunWait, netsh interface set interface %NetworkName% ENABLED,,hide
Sleep,2000
}
}

But GetName nor GetDescription return what the disable/enable commands are expecting. Any way to disable/enable connections with inetwork?

[qwerty12]

Sorry, I didn't see this. Look at the second script here. If you replace what's inside the if (DllCall("ole32\StringFromGUID2", "Ptr", &adapterGuid, "WStr", adapterGuidStr, "Int", 68)) { block with MsgBox % adapters[adapterGuidStr].FriendlyName you should, hopefully, see the name netsh is expecting.

EDIT: No problem, eekhelpspike. I'm glad you managed to devise a solution. Sadly, running as admin is annoying, but IMHO, it's for the better in this case

[eekhelpspike]

Sorry, I didn't see this. Look at the second script here. If you replace what's inside the if (DllCall("ole32\StringFromGUID2", "Ptr", &adapterGuid, "WStr", adapterGuidStr, "Int", 68)) { block with MsgBox % adapters[adapterGuidStr].FriendlyName you should, hopefully, see the name netsh is expecting.

No problem! Thanks for responding.
Excellent. Got this working:

Code: Select all

VarSetCapacity(adapterGuid, 16), VarSetCapacity(adapterGuidStr, 140), adapters := GetAdaptersAddresses()

for INetwork in ComObjCreate("{DCB00C01-570F-4A9B-8D69-199FDBA5723B}").GetNetworks(1) { ; NLM_ENUM_NETWORK_CONNECTED
	if (INetwork.GetCategory() <> 2) {
		for k, v in INetwork.GetNetworkConnections() {
			try if ((INetworkConnection := ComObjQuery(k, "{DCB00005-570F-4A9B-8D69-199FDBA5723B}"))) {
				if (DllCall(NumGet(NumGet(INetworkConnection+0)+12*A_PtrSize), "Ptr", INetworkConnection, "Ptr", &adapterGuid) == 0) { ; ::GetAdapterId
					if (DllCall("ole32\StringFromGUID2", "Ptr", &adapterGuid, "WStr", adapterGuidStr, "Int", 68)) {
						NetworkToReset := adapters[adapterGuidStr].FriendlyName
						;MsgBox % NetworkToReset
						Sleep,500
						RunWait, netsh interface set interface "%NetworkToReset%" DISABLED,,hide
						Sleep,5000
						RunWait, netsh interface set interface %NetworkToReset% ENABLED,,hide
						Sleep,2000
					}
				}
				ObjRelease(INetworkConnection)
			}
		}
	}
}

GetAdaptersAddresses()
{
	; initial call to GetAdaptersAddresses to get the size needed
	If (DllCall("iphlpapi.dll\GetAdaptersAddresses", "UInt", 2, "UInt", 0, "Ptr", 0, "Ptr", 0, "UIntP", Size) = 111) ; ERROR_BUFFER_OVERFLOW
		If !(VarSetCapacity(Buf, Size, 0))
			Return "Memory allocation failed for IP_ADAPTER_ADDRESSES struct"

	; second call to GetAdapters Addresses to get the actual data we want
	If (DllCall("iphlpapi.dll\GetAdaptersAddresses", "UInt", 2, "UInt", 0, "Ptr", 0, "Ptr", &Buf, "UIntP", Size) != 0) ; NO_ERROR
		Return "Call to GetAdaptersAddresses failed with error: " . A_LastError

	Addr := &Buf
	Adapters := {}
	While (Addr) {
		AdapterName := StrGet(NumGet(Addr + 8, A_PtrSize, "Uptr"), "CP0")
		Description := StrGet(NumGet(Addr + 8, A_PtrSize * 7, "UPtr"), "UTF-16")
		FriendlyName := StrGet(NumGet(Addr + 8, A_PtrSize * 8, "UPtr"), "UTF-16")
		Adapters[AdapterName] := {Description: Description, FriendlyName: FriendlyName}
		Addr := NumGet(Addr + 8, "UPtr") ; *Next
	}
	Return Adapters
}

I've got to run as admin, but I'll pick my battles. Probably fine if I'm going to schedule it like the previous posters.
Thank you so much, qwerty12!