Keep local user settings when joining a domain

[Evan M.]

Hello,

I've just set up one computer on my network to act as a domain
controller for the purpose of having one central location for account
management. Next step, obviously, is to have the remaining computers
join the newly created domain.

However, I don't want to lose my local user settings when I join
(particularily my Outlook settings, as setting up 5 POP3 email accounts
is a pain in the ass). I do have an account set up already in active
directory with the same username and password as the local one, and can
hit network resources in both directions without authorization prompts.
Will my account settings get preserved at all when I join the domain,
or is there something that I'll need to do first?

 

[Ron Lowe]

Hello,

I've just set up one computer on my network to act as a domain
controller for the purpose of having one central location for account
management. Next step, obviously, is to have the remaining computers
join the newly created domain.

However, I don't want to lose my local user settings when I join
(particularily my Outlook settings, as setting up 5 POP3 email accounts
is a pain in the ass). I do have an account set up already in active
directory with the same username and password as the local one, and can
hit network resources in both directions without authorization prompts.
Will my account settings get preserved at all when I join the domain,
or is there something that I'll need to do first?

Log on once using your new domain credentials.
This will create a new user profile, 'username.domain'.
Log off again.

Log on with a 3rd Admin account which is neither your old local account,
or the new domain account. The built-in Administrator account is good for
this.

R-click my computer, properties, Advanced tab;
User Profile settings;
Select your old profile, use 'Copy To' to copy it into your new one.

Log back in with your domain credentials, and your domain profile
should now be a copy of your old local profile.