configuring multiple users in WinXP

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Guest

Hello,
I have to install and configure several users on several computers (all
running WinXP). How can I transfer the configuration of a "typical user" to
other user's profiles so that they will all look alike ? I am not talking
here about transferring a user's profile from one computer to another one,
but about making a "typical user" profile on one computer and then "cloning"
it either to the same computer or to other computers. Each of these clones
will, however, need to exist under the name of their "owner" so that they are
distinct from one another.
Example:
- I configure one user as "user #1" with all details as I want them (Windows
appearance, shortcuts on the task bar, etc...);
- I want all those properties to be transferred to "user #2" which I create
on the same computer or on another computer);
- the identity of "user #2" must be distinc from that of "user #1", so tat I
get now two users (#1 and #2) who look alike but have different names.

Any help would be appreciated !
 
Paul (Bornival) said:
Hello,
I have to install and configure several users on several computers (all
running WinXP). How can I transfer the configuration of a "typical user" to
other user's profiles so that they will all look alike ? I am not talking
here about transferring a user's profile from one computer to another one,
but about making a "typical user" profile on one computer and then "cloning"
it either to the same computer or to other computers. Each of these clones
will, however, need to exist under the name of their "owner" so that they are
distinct from one another.
Example:
- I configure one user as "user #1" with all details as I want them (Windows
appearance, shortcuts on the task bar, etc...);
- I want all those properties to be transferred to "user #2" which I create
on the same computer or on another computer);
- the identity of "user #2" must be distinc from that of "user #1", so tat I
get now two users (#1 and #2) who look alike but have different names.

Any help would be appreciated !
Click to expand...

- Reboot the machine.
- Log on under an account other than your "Typical" account.
- Go to Control Panel / System / Advanced / User Profiles
- Use the "Copy" button to copy the "Typical" account
to the hidden folder "c:\documents and settings\default user".

Every account you create from now on will have the properties
of he "Typical" account.
 
Dear Pegasus,
Thank you for your fast reply (see copy hereunder). I tried what you
suggested, but the only profile I can copy is that of "Administrator" (the
machine I am experimenting with has 3 profiles: "Administrator"; "User#1"
with administrator's priviledges; and "User#2" with user's priviledges. It
is "User#2" that I want to clone. The "Copy" button is greyed when I select
that profile. Now, from what you write, I wonder if I may not simply copy
all files in "C:\Documents and Settings\User#2" to "C:\Documenst and
Settings\Default User" (thus, overwriting the properties of the basic
"Default User"). Then, indeed, the Default User should have the same
configuration as User#2 ... Would that work or would I have problems with
identities ?
 
The User#2 profile is probably greyed out because you did
not reboot after using that account, as per the first step in
my original response.

Copying profiles manually is possible but may fail to copy hidden
or locked files. You should use the inbuilt method.
 
Thank you, Pegasus ! Not only you did answer very quickly but you were
entirely correct. I forgot to reboot ! I am now going to experience cloning
!

I'll start a new thread about another setup and deployment problem (Windows
loads slow on some machines and fast on other ones...). If by chance you
also have an idea on this...

Once again, all my thanks !
 
Hi:

"Reboot the machine.
Log on under an account other than your "Typical" account.
Go to Control Panel / System / Advanced / User Profiles
Use the "Copy" button to copy the "Typical" account
to the hidden folder "c:\documents and settings\default user".

Is this using the WinXP SP2 or the WinXP SP1 sysprep version?
I have tried using winxp sp2 with out sucess.

This is what I do: I log as the local admin and create a new account called
testuser with admin rights, I reboot and log with the testuser account, I
make all the changes and shortcuts and logoff and log as the local admin. I
go to computer properties and advance go to profiles and copy testuser to
default users and select everyone then I delete the testuser profile and I go
to manage under my computer and remove the testuser account, I execute
sysprep with reseal and with mini and pnp and shutdown.
When I log in there is nothing there.

I even tried OemDesktopCleanupDisable registry key without any success.
Am I doing something wrong?
Thank you
 
I suggest you report what you did more precisely, in
a step-by-step fashion. Your current descirption is too
general to allow a diagnosis. You wrote, for example:

- "copy testuser to default users"
=>There is no such thing called "default users".
- "select everyone"
=> Meaning what?

Imagine that a Windows-illiterate person has to follow
your instructions.

Also: How about following the steps I outlined in a previous
reply, reboot, then create a new user? Does that new user's
profile have the desired properties?
 
I meant I copy the testuser profile to the Default User under document and
settings and then I select change and select everyone them still in profiles
I delete the testuser profile and run sysprep.
Thank you
 
- Did you perform the copy action under Explorer or
in the Control Panel?
- Did you check the result of the copy process prior
to running Sysprep?
- After selecting everyone still in profiles, what did you do?
 
1) I performed the copy by right clicking in My Computer / Properties /
Advance / User Profile.
2) I don't understand what you mean by: " Did you check the result of the
copy process prior to running Sysprep", so must likely I missed a step.
--
3) I clicked on change and OK.

Pegasus, I thank you for your help, I know I am close to solving this issue.

Mario Martinez
(e-mail address removed)
 
The purpose of copying a profile to "Default User" is to ensure
that every ***new*** user who subsequently logs on inherits
the properties of the profile that you so carefully prepared.

In line with standard IT practice, it is essential that you
***test*** your work. Your steps must therefore be:
1. Create the desired environment for the chosen account,
e.g. Test1.
2. Copy the Test1 profile to "Default Users".
3. Create a new logon account, e.g. "Test3".
4. Log on under "Test3".
5. Check if Test3 has the desired properties.

If the results are as expected then you can continue with
things such as Sysprep. If they are not then running
Sysprep is a waste of time.
 
I forgot to mention that if I try Factory and Audit and shutdown, when I log
in back again all the icons are there, like is supposed to be. It is only
when I use reseal that these icons disappear.
Thank you again for all your help
 
Dear Pegasus,

I come back to this thread, because I eventually got a series of problems
with my attempts of giving a new user (test2) an environment similar to a
test1 user. I could not come earlier to this forum becasue I was travelling.


I followed your suggestions (configuring the test1 user as I wished,
rebooting the machine, logging as an Administrator [different from test1
user], and copying the profile of the test1 user to the "default user" by My
computer -> properties -> Advanced -> User profile and there copying the
user "basic" to "default".

However, the copy failed after a few files with the message that there was a
permission violation. If I repeat the procedure, I got also a failure, but
with a different message and about a different file... So it seems that the
copying process is unable to go to completion.

The trouble is that
(a) the default user was *apparently* not changed, in the sense that when
creating a new user (say test2), its environment is *not* that of test1 but
looks like the one one gets when creating a new user normally ...
(b) however, some subtle differences existed, among one which was
particularly annoying and which is that the keyboard and thhe "International"
environment of the newly created user (test2) was no longer the keyboard
(Belgian French) and the International environment (Belgian French with euro
currency) of test1 or of the Administrator, but a US keyboard and a US
environment... I could correct the keyboard (by deleting the US keyboard and
adding a Belgian French keyboard, but I could *not* change the International
Environment (it always reverted to the US environment). The only way I was
able to retrieve a normal basic configuration for keyboard International
environment when creating a new user was to make a repair of Windows.

So, my questions, if I may ask them, is
- what has prevented the Default User to correctly acquire the configuration
of test1 ?
- alternatively, is there any other mean to obtain the effect I am looking
for (i.e. have test2 having a similar environment of test1 without having to
make all the configuration manually ?

Kind regards,

-------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Your problem is probably caused by an inappropriate permission
structure in the Default User folder, or by your admin account
having insufficient access rights to that folder. Unless you get
your NTFS permissions right, you're wasting your time when
attempting to copy profiles. There is absolutely no point in
testing the Default User profile if errors are reported during
the copy process.


Paul (Bornival) said:
Dear Pegasus,

I come back to this thread, because I eventually got a series of problems
with my attempts of giving a new user (test2) an environment similar to a
test1 user. I could not come earlier to this forum becasue I was travelling.


I followed your suggestions (configuring the test1 user as I wished,
rebooting the machine, logging as an Administrator [different from test1
user], and copying the profile of the test1 user to the "default user" by My
computer -> properties -> Advanced -> User profile and there copying the
user "basic" to "default".

However, the copy failed after a few files with the message that there was a
permission violation. If I repeat the procedure, I got also a failure, but
with a different message and about a different file... So it seems that the
copying process is unable to go to completion.

The trouble is that
(a) the default user was *apparently* not changed, in the sense that when
creating a new user (say test2), its environment is *not* that of test1 but
looks like the one one gets when creating a new user normally ...
(b) however, some subtle differences existed, among one which was
particularly annoying and which is that the keyboard and thhe "International"
environment of the newly created user (test2) was no longer the keyboard
(Belgian French) and the International environment (Belgian French with euro
currency) of test1 or of the Administrator, but a US keyboard and a US
environment... I could correct the keyboard (by deleting the US keyboard and
adding a Belgian French keyboard, but I could *not* change the International
Environment (it always reverted to the US environment). The only way I was
able to retrieve a normal basic configuration for keyboard International
environment when creating a new user was to make a repair of Windows.

So, my questions, if I may ask them, is
- what has prevented the Default User to correctly acquire the configuration
of test1 ?
- alternatively, is there any other mean to obtain the effect I am looking
for (i.e. have test2 having a similar environment of test1 without having to
make all the configuration manually ?

Kind regards,

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Pegasus (MVP) said:
The User#2 profile is probably greyed out because you did
not reboot after using that account, as per the first step in
my original response.

Copying profiles manually is possible but may fail to copy hidden
or locked files. You should use the inbuilt method.


priviledges.
It
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for your reply. What you say is indeed was I gessed, but my
question is how to correct this ? My computer runs with the "Simple file
sharing" mode, so that there is not a lot of permissions I can give or deny.
The account under which I tried to make the copy of the ssttings of test1 to
the Default User has administrative rights. Are you suggesting that I should
uncheck the "Simple flile sharing" and give manually permissions to the
Administrator to each folder in the "Documents and Settings" of test1 ?
Kind regards,
Paul.

Pegasus (MVP) said:
Your problem is probably caused by an inappropriate permission
structure in the Default User folder, or by your admin account
having insufficient access rights to that folder. Unless you get
your NTFS permissions right, you're wasting your time when
attempting to copy profiles. There is absolutely no point in
testing the Default User profile if errors are reported during
the copy process.


Paul (Bornival) said:
Dear Pegasus,

I come back to this thread, because I eventually got a series of problems
with my attempts of giving a new user (test2) an environment similar to a
test1 user. I could not come earlier to this forum becasue I was travelling.


I followed your suggestions (configuring the test1 user as I wished,
rebooting the machine, logging as an Administrator [different from test1
user], and copying the profile of the test1 user to the "default user" by My
computer -> properties -> Advanced -> User profile and there copying the
user "basic" to "default".

However, the copy failed after a few files with the message that there was a
permission violation. If I repeat the procedure, I got also a failure, but
with a different message and about a different file... So it seems that the
copying process is unable to go to completion.

The trouble is that
(a) the default user was *apparently* not changed, in the sense that when
creating a new user (say test2), its environment is *not* that of test1 but
looks like the one one gets when creating a new user normally ...
(b) however, some subtle differences existed, among one which was
particularly annoying and which is that the keyboard and thhe "International"
environment of the newly created user (test2) was no longer the keyboard
(Belgian French) and the International environment (Belgian French with euro
currency) of test1 or of the Administrator, but a US keyboard and a US
environment... I could correct the keyboard (by deleting the US keyboard and
adding a Belgian French keyboard, but I could *not* change the International
Environment (it always reverted to the US environment). The only way I was
able to retrieve a normal basic configuration for keyboard International
environment when creating a new user was to make a repair of Windows.

So, my questions, if I may ask them, is
- what has prevented the Default User to correctly acquire the configuration
of test1 ?
- alternatively, is there any other mean to obtain the effect I am looking
for (i.e. have test2 having a similar environment of test1 without having to
make all the configuration manually ?

Kind regards,

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Pegasus (MVP) said:
The User#2 profile is probably greyed out because you did
not reboot after using that account, as per the first step in
my original response.

Copying profiles manually is possible but may fail to copy hidden
or locked files. You should use the inbuilt method.


Dear Pegasus,
Thank you for your fast reply (see copy hereunder). I tried what you
suggested, but the only profile I can copy is that of "Administrator" (the
machine I am experimenting with has 3 profiles: "Administrator"; "User#1"
with administrator's priviledges; and "User#2" with user's priviledges.
It
is "User#2" that I want to clone. The "Copy" button is greyed when I
select
that profile. Now, from what you write, I wonder if I may not simply copy
all files in "C:\Documents and Settings\User#2" to "C:\Documenst and
Settings\Default User" (thus, overwriting the properties of the basic
"Default User"). Then, indeed, the Default User should have the same
configuration as User#2 ... Would that work or would I have problems with
identities ?

:


- Reboot the machine.
- Log on under an account other than your "Typical" account.
- Go to Control Panel / System / Advanced / User Profiles
- Use the "Copy" button to copy the "Typical" account
to the hidden folder "c:\documents and settings\default user".

Every account you create from now on will have the properties
of he "Typical" account.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Yes!

Paul (Bornival) said:
Thank you for your reply. What you say is indeed was I gessed, but my
question is how to correct this ? My computer runs with the "Simple file
sharing" mode, so that there is not a lot of permissions I can give or deny.
The account under which I tried to make the copy of the ssttings of test1 to
the Default User has administrative rights. Are you suggesting that I should
uncheck the "Simple flile sharing" and give manually permissions to the
Administrator to each folder in the "Documents and Settings" of test1 ?
Kind regards,
Paul.

Pegasus (MVP) said:
Your problem is probably caused by an inappropriate permission
structure in the Default User folder, or by your admin account
having insufficient access rights to that folder. Unless you get
your NTFS permissions right, you're wasting your time when
attempting to copy profiles. There is absolutely no point in
testing the Default User profile if errors are reported during
the copy process.


Dear Pegasus,

I come back to this thread, because I eventually got a series of problems
with my attempts of giving a new user (test2) an environment similar to a
test1 user. I could not come earlier to this forum becasue I was travelling.


I followed your suggestions (configuring the test1 user as I wished,
rebooting the machine, logging as an Administrator [different from test1
user], and copying the profile of the test1 user to the "default user"
Click to expand...
by
My
computer -> properties -> Advanced -> User profile and there copying the
user "basic" to "default".

However, the copy failed after a few files with the message that there
Click to expand...
was
a
permission violation. If I repeat the procedure, I got also a
Click to expand...
failure,
but
with a different message and about a different file... So it seems
Click to expand...
that
the
copying process is unable to go to completion.

The trouble is that
(a) the default user was *apparently* not changed, in the sense that when
creating a new user (say test2), its environment is *not* that of
Click to expand...
test1
but
looks like the one one gets when creating a new user normally ...
(b) however, some subtle differences existed, among one which was
particularly annoying and which is that the keyboard and thhe "International"
environment of the newly created user (test2) was no longer the keyboard
(Belgian French) and the International environment (Belgian French
Click to expand...
with
euro
currency) of test1 or of the Administrator, but a US keyboard and a US
environment... I could correct the keyboard (by deleting the US
Click to expand...
keyboard
and
adding a Belgian French keyboard, but I could *not* change the International
Environment (it always reverted to the US environment). The only way
Click to expand...
I
was
able to retrieve a normal basic configuration for keyboard International
environment when creating a new user was to make a repair of Windows.

So, my questions, if I may ask them, is
- what has prevented the Default User to correctly acquire the configuration
of test1 ?
- alternatively, is there any other mean to obtain the effect I am looking
for (i.e. have test2 having a similar environment of test1 without
Click to expand...
having
to
make all the configuration manually ?

Kind regards,

-------------------------------------------------------------------

:

The User#2 profile is probably greyed out because you did
not reboot after using that account, as per the first step in
my original response.

Copying profiles manually is possible but may fail to copy hidden
or locked files. You should use the inbuilt method.


Dear Pegasus,
Thank you for your fast reply (see copy hereunder). I tried what you
suggested, but the only profile I can copy is that of
Click to expand...
"Administrator"
(the
machine I am experimenting with has 3 profiles: "Administrator"; "User#1"
with administrator's priviledges; and "User#2" with user's priviledges.
It
is "User#2" that I want to clone. The "Copy" button is greyed when I
select
that profile. Now, from what you write, I wonder if I may not
Click to expand...
simply
copy
all files in "C:\Documents and Settings\User#2" to "C:\Documenst and
Settings\Default User" (thus, overwriting the properties of the basic
"Default User"). Then, indeed, the Default User should have the same
configuration as User#2 ... Would that work or would I have
Click to expand...
problems
with
identities ?

:


- Reboot the machine.
- Log on under an account other than your "Typical" account.
- Go to Control Panel / System / Advanced / User Profiles
- Use the "Copy" button to copy the "Typical" account
to the hidden folder "c:\documents and settings\default user".

Every account you create from now on will have the properties
of he "Typical" account.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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