Windows 7, MSG.EXE and Group Policy Preferences

So, as of Windows Vista, NET SEND is gone.  But you want to send a console message via popup to a remote user or computer?  Windows Vista shipped with the MSG.EXE utility, which is still around in Windows 7.  But there’s a small problem, which led me to another small problem, but thankfully there’s an easy solution.

Problem 1 – You may need to modify a Registry Value on all your networked Windows 7 computers.

• HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer
• Value: AllowRemoteRPC
• Required value: 1 (REG_DWORD)

Problem 2 – Trying to set that on a remote Windows 7 box

The Remote Registry service is disabled by default.  You can start turning on services manually, but…

Solution – Use Group Policy Preferences to do it all at once

1. Create a new GPO named something that makes sense
2. Edit the new GPO
3. Expand Computer Configuration / Preferences / Windows Settings
4. Click on Registry
5. Right-click and select New –> Registry Item
6. Select Action: Update, Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
7. Key Path: browse to the key shown above
8. Select the Value name: AllowRemoteRPC
9. Set the Value data: 1, specify type REG_DWORD
10. Click OK

If you also want to enable remote Registry editing…

1. Expand “Control Panel Settings”
2. Select “Services”
3. Right-click and select New –> Service
4. Startup: Automatic, Service Name “Remote Registry”, Service Action: Start Service
5. Click the Recovery tab
6. Specify First and Second failure action as “Restart the Service”
7. Specify Restart fail count after to 1 day, Restart service after 1 minute
8. Click OK