# Client customizer

## Introduction

This software lets you create customized ThinLinc client installation programs. This means that when users install the customized version, they will automatically get the default settings you have configured.

One advantage with this is that you can provide, for example, a default server name. A custom client can also be used to enhance security: You can distribute SSH host keys with the client itself, so that users don’t need to be concerned with SSH host key fingerprint verification.

Note

The client customizer only works for the Windows client.

## Installation

Before you can start, you have to install the build environment. This is done by running the command tl-x.y.z-client-customizer.exe located in the client bundle. This will also create a shortcut to the build directory in the Start menu.

## Building a customized client

To create a customized client, do the following:

1. Edit `settings.reg`. This file contains all the parameter names and default values that are used in tlclient. To customize the client, edit any of these values, and they will be installed in the registry when you install the customized client itself. You can also add your server’s SSH host keys (see below).

2. Custom branding can be added to the client by simply dropping a file called `branding.png` in the root directory of the client customizer. See Adding custom branding to the login window for more details.

3. Run `build.bat` in the same directory. The file `setup.exe` will now be created. This is the installation program for the customized client.

## Adding SSH host keys

To add your server’s SSH host key to `settings.reg`, do the following:

1. Use tlclient to connect to your server, if you haven’t already done so. Confirm the server’s host key, if necessary.

2. Run the registry editor, and select `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Cendio\ThinLinc\tlclient\KnownHosts`

3. Export this key to an external text file.

4. Open the text file from the previous step in an editor.

5. Copy the line corresponding to your ThinLinc server. Paste this line into `settings.reg`, section `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Cendio\ThinLinc\tlclient\KnownHosts`

6. Save `settings.reg`, and proceed to create the customized client as described above.