Copy User Account Preferences

[Richard In Va.]

I've just reinstalled XP setting up 2 user accounts, User #1 and User#2.

Logging on as User#1, I've set up all user preferences and now would like to
mirror or clone all the same settings to User#2. I have not actually logged
on as User#2... yet.

Is there a way I can copy/mirror/clone the settings from one user to
another?

Thanks for any help!

Richard in Va.
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[Milt]

Richard,

Try going to Start/Help and Support and type "Copy User Profile". You will
find the answer to your question there.

Milt

 

[Milt]

Richard,

The answer to your question is at Start/Help and Support, type "Copy User
Profile"

Milt.

 

[Milt]

Richard,

The answer to your question is at Start/Help and Support, type "Copy user
profile".

Milt

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I've just reinstalled XP setting up 2 user accounts, User #1 and User#2.

Logging on as User#1, I've set up all user preferences and now would like
to mirror or clone all the same settings to User#2. I have not actually
logged on as User#2... yet.

If you haven't logged onto User#2 yet, and have a look at the Documents and
Settings structure, you may find that the #2 folders haven't been created
yet - and won't be till you log into them the first time.

It will be harder to migrate settings to folders that haven't been created
yet.

HTH
-pk

 

[Richard In Va.]

Hello Milt,

Per your suggestion, there is only one user account showing... User#1, and
probably due to what Patrick says in his reply. That by not ever logging
onto User#2, the user account might not be fully set up.

However, when I select the User#1 account, the "copy to" button is greyed
out and not available.

Maybe I should log on as User#2, log out and back in as User#1 and try
again?

Thanks!

Richard in Va.
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[Richard In Va.]

Thanks Patrick,

I think I'm finding that out... see my reply to Milt. I'll log on as User#2,
log out and back in as User#1 and try again.

Thanks!

Richard in Va.
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[Richard In Va.]

Hello Milt & Patrick,

For some reason that would not work... remember, I want to copy ALL User#1
settings over to User#2.

- I've logged on as both User#1 & User#2
- Logged on as User#1, the copy user settings button is not available for
User#1 in the "User Profiles" dialog box.
- Logged on as User#2, then highlighting User#1 the copy to button becomes
available.
- I then copied the User#1 profile to the machine/User#2 profile as I want
to do.

This seemed to work so far, but when I shut down and log on as User#2, the
original user preferences are still there.

I'm wondering if I need to create a 3rd user account (User#3) so I can copy
from User#1 to User#2 without being logged in as either one. Any other
ideas?

All I want is to have both users to start out with identical look and feel,
they can change things to suite when I turn the PC over to them.

Thanks Again!

Richard in Va.
++++++++++++

 

[Milt]

Richard,

Have you tried logging in to the Admin. account?

(And, sorry for the three posts. It didn't seem to go, so I repeated.)

Milt

 

[Richard In Va.]

Hello Milt,

There are only (2) logons, User#1 & User#2 and both have administrator
rights.

No problem with the 3 posts, it gave me the opportunity to read it 3
times...
(3 reads is better than 1?)

Thanks!

Richard in Va.
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[Milt]

Richard,

I didn't say it clearly, but in addition to your User#1 and User#2 there is
a hidden "Administrator" account which can be accessed from Safe Mode.
(That's the "real" administrator account.) But rather than getting into that,
perhaps there's an easier way for you.

Here is a link to an article, "Copy A User Profile", by Kelly that may help
you: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_logon.htm#usercopy . Be sure to
read the note's very carefully. All of Kelly's work is excellent.

Also, here's a link to another article on copying user profiles that has
some illustrations:
http://www.petri.co.il/copy_user_profiles_in_windows_xp.htm . It may help you
understand, but I'd stay with the instructions in Kelly's article.

Hope this helps,

Milt

 

[Richard In Va.]

Thanks Milt, getting a little busy over here today but I hope to try these
this afternoon.

I'll reply back...

Richard in Va.
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