How do I use the same XP profile for domain and workgroup?

[Jim]

Hi all,

I use a laptop running XP Pro in several environments (work, university,
home). Work uses a domain, University uses either a domain or a
workgroup depending on the location, and home uses a workgroup.

The domain environments are typical (network printers, servers,
computers). The workgroup environments are likewise typical and have
shared shared folders and printers. Occasionally, the workgroup will
also support a print server. Consequently, I need to join both
workgroups and domains as I move about.

My wrinkle is that I need to be able to use the *same* user profile in
all these seperate environments. My professional duties require that I
access the tools stored in my primary (work) user profile when I'm away
from the office.

As usual, if I leave my domain to join a workgroup, then I'm able to
continue working with the current desktop until I reboot, then I'm
dropped into a different profile and cannot reaccess my work files. I
know I can just keep the computer 'joined' to the domain while I'm away,
but then I cannot access any of the workgroup files or printers.

On a personal note, it seems incredulous to me that Windows does not
allow a single user profile to move between domains and workgroups in a
more user friendly manner. I understand the argument that once you leave
a domain you need to rejoin that domain before you can access resources
on that domain, but I should still be able to access the same profile
space on my laptop regardless of how I log in.

I hope I've been clear with this. And thanks in advance for the help!

 

[John John (MVP)]

Just keep the machine joined to your domain and when away from the
domain logon with your cached domain dredentials, when you are on the
workgroups use the 'net use' command to access the workgroup resources.

John

 

[Jim]

I also need to set this up for another user. The whole net use thing
will just freak her out.

Is there any way to just use the same profile on the domain and workgroup?

The main thing is to be able to see the same desktop, my docs and apps
whether on the domain or workgroup.

 

[John John (MVP)]

Not by design, they cannot use the same (domain) profile when they log
on locally. You can try third party solutions like this one:
http://www.forensit.com/profman/index.htm

John

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
You can try this application, it makes it much easier to deal with
multiprofile issues.
http://www.jitbit.com/netprofileswitch.aspx
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

 

[Anteaus]

-Or this one which does away with the whole userization issue, and allows you
to logon to a server without having a compulsory identity-change at the same
time:

http://mylogon.net