When I recently reinstalled Windows on a family member's computer, I created
one profile, customized it, and then copied it to everyone's user accounts.

The original profile was in the 'Administrators' group. The user accounts I
wanted to copy it to were to be set as 'Users/Limited.'

Problem is, when I go to set their accounts to 'Users/Limited,' their
profiles break. Their desktop background disappears, their icons are all
moved, the start menu changes from classic to a messed up version of the new
XP start menu, and some programs (e.g. Outlook) don't work correctly?

And, I can't figure out why. I'm not new to Windows. I have set up plenty of
computers and networks before. I just figured it would be easier this time to
copy the profiles. But, it's not working as intended.

I though about just backing up their 'My Documents,' erasing their profiles,
creating new ones, and recreating the settings and replacing their 'My
Documents.' That's a lot of work, though, and I would prefer to not do it
unless it's necessary.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

/// Chris Isherwood

Almost certainly due to ownership or permissions issues with the profile
contents.



"Christopher Isherwood" wrote:

> When I recently reinstalled Windows on a family member's computer, I created
> one profile, customized it, and then copied it to everyone's user accounts.
>
> The original profile was in the 'Administrators' group. The user accounts I
> wanted to copy it to were to be set as 'Users/Limited.'
>
> Problem is, when I go to set their accounts to 'Users/Limited,' their
> profiles break. Their desktop background disappears, their icons are all
> moved, the start menu changes from classic to a messed up version of the new
> XP start menu, and some programs (e.g. Outlook) don't work correctly?
>
> And, I can't figure out why. I'm not new to Windows. I have set up plenty of
> computers and networks before. I just figured it would be easier this time to
> copy the profiles. But, it's not working as intended.
>
> I though about just backing up their 'My Documents,' erasing their profiles,
> creating new ones, and recreating the settings and replacing their 'My
> Documents.' That's a lot of work, though, and I would prefer to not do it
> unless it's necessary.
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
> /// Chris Isherwood