Documents and Settings / Users

[Eric]

I recently reinstalled WinXP Pro on top of an existing
version of the same. In hindsight this may not seem to be
a good thing to do, but I was trying to reset some of the
system settings. I had two users prior to the re-
intallation and after the re-installation, the number of
user folders in Documents and Settings appear to have
duplicated itself from the original.

For example, the original user folder "Ivan" is still
there, but there are two more now called "Ivan.WINDOWS"
and "Ivan.COMPUTERNAME". Also, this problem is not only
limited to Ivan but to "All Users" as well. So, I also
have "All Users.WINDOWS".

I notice that I cannot delete the .WINDOWS
or .COMPUTERNAME folders to make XP use my original user
folder. Is it possible make XP use the original folders
again?

Eric

 

[Carrie Garth]

| message | I recently reinstalled WinXP Pro on top of an existing
| version of the same. <SNIP> the original user folder "Ivan" is still
| there, but there are two more now called "Ivan.WINDOWS" and
| "Ivan.COMPUTERNAME". <SNIP>

See the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article. Note: Even though
the article is written for Windows Server 2003, the procedure works in
Windows XP (and Windows 2000), too.

KB324734 - HOW TO: Restore a User Profile in Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=324734

Changing or deleting registry entries can cause you to have to
reinstall the whole operating system. Before you run the Registry
Editor I recommend that you understand how to backup, edit and restore
the registry. For more information see the following Microsoft
Knowledge Base Article and/or Registry FAQ.

KB322756 - HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in
Windows XP and Windows Server
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?Product=winxp&scid=kb;en-us;322756

Windows Registry Guide - Windows Registry FAQ
http://www.winguides.com/article.php?id=1&guide=registry