How to set up a Visitor Check-in Kiosk on Windows touch PC

The following guide is AskCody's recommendation to set up kiosk mode on Windows Touch PCs using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Chromium version) and a touch keyboard

What is it for

AskCody delivers a product license key for setting up Visitor Check-in Kiosk and in addition to this provides hardware setup recommendations. The Check-in Kiosk is designed to be displayed full screen on touch devices and in this case a Windows Touch PC. The recommended setup is a simple setup with Chrome or Microsoft Edge in kiosk mode and Windows default touch keyboard we refer to this as Standard Kiosk mode. If a kiosk needs to be completely locked down which is typically used in unmanned receptions, this article also mentions software that can provide this. 

Requirements

• Windows 10
• Stable internet connection 
• 1080P display or larger display resolution
• Landscape view
• The newest version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge

Prepare kiosk setup

Using Google Chrome

• Download and install Google Chrome
• Place the Windows Taskbar on the screen top and hide the taskbar (This is due to the taskbar sometimes flashing when running in secure lockdown mode).
• In Google Chrome disable google translateSettings -> Advanced Settings -> Language

Using Microsoft Edge

• Download and install Microsoft Edge
• Place the Windows Taskbar on the screen top and hide the taskbar (This is due to the taskbar sometimes flashing when running in secure lockdown mode).
• In Microsoft Edge Disable the translate settings -> Settings -> Languages -> disable the "Offer to translate pages that aren't in a language you read " setting.

Set the browser in kiosk mode

Using Google Chrome

A Chrome shortcut on the desktop will be configured to open in kiosk view that will show the URL in full screen, disable Chrome's built-in touch gestures, and make chrome skip the print dialog.

• Right Click on the desktop shortcut and choose properties

• In the field Target, type the following after the target path for Google Chrome:

--incognito --kiosk --kiosk-printing --disable-pinch --overscroll-history-navigation=0 [INSERT URL]

Using Microsoft Edge

• Right Click on the desktop shortcut and choose properties

• In the field Target, type the following after the target path for Microsoft Edge:

--inprivate --kiosk --kiosk-printing --disable-pinch --overscroll-history-navigation=0 [INSERT URL]

(Optional) Make Chrome or Edge automatically start-up when Windows boots:

• Search for and open the Windows Run dialog box. 
• In Run write the following:

shell:startup

This will open the default startup folder in Windows.

• Place the Chrome/Edge shortcut here and it will automatically open when Windows starts.

Printer Setup (Check-in Kiosks with label printing)

 The --kiosk-printing tag in the Chrome target above enables Chrome to do silent printing (printing without print dialog). Learn more about Printer Setup and Configuration in our "How to configure visitor label print for the Visitor Check-in Kiosk on Windows PC" article.

Using Tablet Mode for using the Windows onscreen keyboard 

• Go into Windows settings -> Tablet settings
• Force Windows to Use Tablet Mode
• Restart Windows
• Search for the desktop folder and press the Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge Shortcut created for kiosk mode. (If the Google Chrome/Microsoft Edge shortcut is added to the startup folder it will automatically open full screen).

Using a different onscreen keyboard

If it is preferred not to use the built-in onscreen keyboard in Windows, it is possible to download and install other virtual keyboard software and install this on the PC. However, when using another onscreen keyboard it is very important to make a check if the keyboard requires the use of a browser extension to work properly. 

Secure Lockdown 

Secure lockdown is a program that provides the option to further lock down the Windows Touch PC so that the possibility for user errors and misuse are minimized. This is ideal for Check-in Kiosks that are located in unmanned receptions.  

Configuring Secure Lockdown 

• Install Secure Lockdown
• Open Secure Lockdown and set a new password. accept. Net framework update
• Choose the Chrome or Microsoft Edge shortcut as "Master application."

More information about Secure Lockdown Setup can be found here

Using Secure Lockdown

• Tap the Secure Lockdown icon, and press Alt-Shift-S
• Enter your Secure Lockdown Password and select enable Secure Lockdown. Press no to restart.
• When Windows is booted in Secure Lockdown, press Alt-Shift-S and enter the password.
• Deselect enable Secure Lockdown."
• Now Windows will boot up instead of Secure Lockdown."