Scenario

Lets script a custom aws appstream image

A customer wanted to setup AWS AppStream 2.0 Image Automation for their AppStream image creation especially as there were situations where two or more images were potentially required including monthly updates (minimum) so they needed a repeatable, consistent solution for this.

Solution

You can only automate this so far within the current AppStream 2.0 limitations.

Creation of the image builders, the builder image itself, creation or the fleets and stacks then based on this image.

Short of joining your image builder to a domain that launches a script at computer startup – there is no immediate way to call a ‘zero touch build’ for AppStream images, and no current way to automate the Image Builder test and optimize wizard (the wizard you run to seal and snapshot the image)

Things to Consider Scripting / Adding

• IEES Disable for all users
• Local Timezone and Regional Settings (particularly if outside the US and your regional settings are not available for selection from the End User interface) (for example UK English and Timezone)

Set-WinSystemLocale en-gb
Set-Culture en-GB
Set-WinSystemLocale en-GB
Set-Timezone "GMT Standard Time"

• If your images wont be domain joined then
  • Create a login script to apply user settings at ‘login’
  • If you manipulate local Group Policy (gpedit.msc) use the microsoft tool  LGPO.exe to backup and restore the settings easily
  • You can publish Windows Explorer in the Image Assistanc via a batchfile with content

cd %userprofile%\my files\temporary files -Force
start .

Examples

You can automate the image builder application injection using sqlite.exe per below

example.sql file to pass into C:\ProgramData\Amazon\Photon\PhotonAppCatalog.sqlite

INSERT INTO Applications (Name, AbsolutePath, DisplayName, IconFilePath, LaunchParameters) VALUES (“My Intranet Website”, “C:\Program Files (x86)\internet explorer\iexplorer.exe”, “Intranet”, “C:\ProgramData\Amazon\Photon\AppCatalogHelper\AppIcons\ie.png”, “https://www.myintranet.org.uk”)

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