Default User

[mcp6453]

How do I configure XP SP3 such that when a new user account is created,
a particular desktop configuration shows up instead of the default
Windows desktop? Google is not yet my friend because I don't know the
correct terminology for asking this question.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

How do I configure XP SP3 such that when a new user account is created, a
particular desktop configuration shows up instead of the default Windows
desktop? Google is not yet my friend because I don't know the correct
terminology for asking this question.

Here is how you can do it:
1. Log on as some user.
2. Adjust the desktop (and perhaps other things) the way you like it.
3. Reboot the machine.
4. Log on as Administrator.
5. Control Panel / System / Advanced / User Profiles (Settings)
6. Click the user from Step 1 above.
7. Click "Copy to"
8. Enter this folder name:
c:\Documents and Settings\Default User
9. Allow the folder to be overwritten.

From now on, every user who logs on the very first time on this
machine will get the properties you set in Step 2 above.

 

[Nepatsfan]

How do I configure XP SP3 such that when a new user account is created, a
particular desktop configuration shows up instead of the default Windows
desktop? Google is not yet my friend because I don't know the correct
terminology for asking this question.

How to create a custom default user profile
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319974/en-us

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

How to create a custom default user profile
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319974/en-us

Good luck

Nepatsfan

I'm intrigued to see that the instructions in this Microsoft link are
incomplete. Depending on what exactly the OP does while configuring the
default profile, some files may get locked and will NOT be unlocked when
logging on as Administrator. The net result is that the "Copy" button is
greyed out for precisely the user whose profile the OP wishes to copy - a
very frustrating situation that is easily avoided with a prior reboot.

 

[Nepatsfan]

I'm intrigued to see that the instructions in this Microsoft link are
incomplete. Depending on what exactly the OP does while configuring the
default profile, some files may get locked and will NOT be unlocked when
logging on as Administrator. The net result is that the "Copy" button is
greyed out for precisely the user whose profile the OP wishes to copy - a very
frustrating situation that is easily avoided with a prior reboot.

Could you be a little more specific? I've only used the instructions in that
Microsoft article a couple of times and have never had a problem where the
profile couldn't be copied. How about giving some examples of settings that if
configured would cause this problem.

Nepatsfan

 

[mcp6453]

Here is how you can do it:
1. Log on as some user.
2. Adjust the desktop (and perhaps other things) the way you like it.
3. Reboot the machine.
4. Log on as Administrator.
5. Control Panel / System / Advanced / User Profiles (Settings)
6. Click the user from Step 1 above.
7. Click "Copy to"
8. Enter this folder name:
c:\Documents and Settings\Default User
9. Allow the folder to be overwritten.

From now on, every user who logs on the very first time on this
machine will get the properties you set in Step 2 above.

Awesome! Thanks very much for the instructions.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Could you be a little more specific? I've only used the instructions in
that Microsoft article a couple of times and have never had a problem
where the profile couldn't be copied. How about giving some examples of
settings that if configured would cause this problem.

Nepatsfan

Sorry, I can't give you a step-by-step instruction other than a
demonstration:
Try to copy your own profile to see what I mean. Sometimes some files
(presumably some registry files) remain locked and must be unlocked with
a reboot.