Hands On With the GP Power Tools – Administrator Tools: Dex.ini Configuration

This post is part of the Hands On With the GP Power Tools (GPPT) – Administrator Tools series in which I am taking a hands on look at the various tools offered by GPPT.

The Dex.ini Configuration (GP Power Tools area page >> Setup >> Dex.ini Configuration) window can be used to automate changes to the Dex.ini settings for all workstations. This is a very useful tool, especially when there are either a lot of desktop clients installed or a lot of Citrix/terminal servers:

There are five key settings when entering switches to update in the Dex.ini file:

Search Mode – there are five search options available, but I favour always using the default option of Setting Exact match as this prevents errors whereby a setting could be set to an incorrect value by accident.
Setting or Search String – is where you enter the name of the Dex.ini switch which is to have it’s value changed.
Silent – when marked the setting is updated without the user being asked to confirm; I would generally set this as marked,as the configuration is going to be maintained by an administrator.
Log – mark this option to have the change logged.
Value – is the new value for the switch specified in the Setting or Search String field.

There is a (near if not completed) list of available Dex.ini switches created and maintained by MVP Leslie Vail.

As Leslie warns on her blog post, care should be taken when setting a Dex.ini switch; this is true whether you are manually configuring or using the GPPT Dex.ini Configuration window.

The window is a fantastic way of updating all clients with the new settings, but mistakes can prevent Microsoft Dynamics GP from working.

To mitigate the possibility of this, GPPT has two functions available.

Firstly, at the bottom of the window is a checkbox, Do not update any Dex.ini settings automatically which applies only to the current workstation.

Secondly, GPPT checks a few settings which are known to cause problems with Dynamics GP and will prompt for confirmation:

Microsoft Dynamics GP

This Setting or Search String will change or remove the system Dex.ini setting “Pathname.ini” and could prevent Microsoft Dynamics GP from launching, continue?

When you answer No the action is continued and the row deleted from the list; you will need to confirm deletion of the row.

Click to show/hide the Hands On With the GP Power Tools – Administrator Tools Series Index

Hands On With the GP Power Tools – Administrator Tools
Resource Information Introduction
Resource Information – Tables & Fields
Security Profiler
Using Security Profiler to Create Security Tasks
Security Information
Security Log
Security Analyzer
Introduction to Deny Based Security
Deny Based Security – Enhanced Security
Deny Based Security – Security Denied
Deny Based Security – Security Hidden
Deny Based Security – Review
Administrator Settings – Introduction
Administrator Settings – Colors Tab
Administrator Settings – Usability Tab
Administrator Settings – Features Tab
Dex.ini Configuration
Dictionary Control
Company Login Filter
Window Position Memory

What should we write about next?

If there is a topic which fits the typical ones of this site, which you would like to see me write about, please use the form, below, to submit your idea.

Looking for support or consultancy with Microsoft Dynamics GP?

I no longer work with Microsoft Dynamics GP, but the last company I worked for was ISC Software in the UK; if you’re looking for support or consultancy services with Microsoft Dynamics GP you can contact them here.

PrintFriendly Email Linkedin Twitter Facebook

Related Posts
Hands On With the GP Power Tools – Administrator Tools: Administrator Settings – Introduction
Hands On With the GP Power Tools – Administrator Tools: Deny Based Security – Review
Hands On With the GP Power Tools – Administrator Tools: Series Index
Hands On With the GP Power Tools — Administrator Tools: Conclusion
Hands On With the GP Power Tools – Administrator Tools: Administrator Settings – Features Tab
Hands On With the GP Power Tools – Administrator Tools: Introduction to Deny Based Security
Hands On With the GP Power Tools – Administrator Tools: Deny Based Security – Security Denied
Hands On With the GP Power Tools – Administrator Tools: Deny Based Security – Security Hidden