A method and system for central management of plural network clients interfaced with a network host, each network client automatically calling a login routine (20) and a start-up routine (22) associated with initiation of a login script at the network client. Configuration and start-up management can be based upon an operating system determination with several different operating systems, such as Windows 95 and Windows NT, deployed across the network. The login routine (20) can install the start-up routine (22) on the network client at login, allowing the start-up routine (22) to direct the network client to install predetermined local utilities and to load predetermined network utilities. An associated launch manager (24) can establish launch manager values to allow a network user to individualize his network client within constraints defined by computing standards established through the login routine.