Windows Orchestrator
Automation for Dedicated Workstations
Optimizes a Windows PC for continuous operation. PowerShell scripts manage auto-login, restart defined processes, and control updates for increased availability.
The Windows Orchestrator is an engineering solution created to meet a specific need: ensuring the operational continuity of server-type applications on Windows Desktop workstations.
The initial use case was for AllSys, a personal artificial intelligence. To ensure its constant availability, it was necessary to overcome the inherent limitations of Windows.
The Challenge: Making a Workstation Reliable
- Unmanaged Restart A power outage would leave the machine stuck on the login screen, making the application remotely inaccessible.
- Performance Degradation System instability over time required periodic reboots to maintain nominal performance.
The Limits of Existing Tools
Faced with these problems, third-party utilities proved unsuitable. Their approach was to block actions, not orchestrate them. A solution that was integrated, script-drivable, and capable of executing custom logic, such as running backup scripts before a scheduled restart, was missing.
Our Answer: System Orchestration
- Automatic Recovery Ensures session login and the restart of defined applications after an incident.
- Preventive Maintenance Allows for scheduling a controlled daily restart, with the execution of custom scripts beforehand.
Main Features
Graphical Assistant
Simple configuration via a guided interface, without manual file editing.
Multilingual Support
Interface and logs available in 11 languages, with automatic detection of the system language.
Power Management
Disables sleep mode and Fast Startup for maximum stability.
Process Manager
Restarts your main application at each session opening to ensure it starts correctly.
Update Control
Disables the automatic mechanism. Manual control of installations is retained.
Scheduled Restart
Schedules a daily system restart, with the execution of custom actions beforehand.
Installation
Download
Clone or download the project from GitHub to the target computer.
Configuration
Run `1_install.bat` to launch the graphical configuration assistant.
Installation
Accept the privilege request (UAC) for the creation of scheduled tasks.
Operational
The configuration is applied immediately. The machine is now autonomous for future restarts.
Architecture
The architecture integrates natively with the core of Windows, the Task Scheduler. This approach ensures maximum stability and near-zero resource consumption.
1. The System Script (`config_systeme.ps1`)
Executed at startup with `SYSTEM` rights, it configures the machine environment (power, updates, auto-login) and establishes the foundation for stability.
2. The User Script (`config_utilisateur.ps1`)
Triggered at each session opening, it restarts your application to ensure it starts in a clean state.
3. The Pre-Restart Action
The system script can create a task that executes a custom command (backup, cleanup) before the scheduled restart, turning a necessity into an opportunity.