Setting up similar user accounts?

[Guest]

Still trying to figure out how to set up two similar user accounts. ie: Same
desktops with same shortcut icons, etc. I've set up a computer with two
users. I've loaded all my programs on the main user account. I now want to
have the same Deskktop, with the same program shortcut icons, etc. for the
second user. Is there an easy way to do this. Surely I don't have to load
all the programs again for the second user. I've tried copying the shortcuts
from the first users start menu to the other users start menu. That didn't
do anything for the second users desktop. Thanks for the help. (WinXP-Home
SP1)

 

[RA]

Right click on My Computer, go to Properties and click the Advanced tab,
click the settings button in User Profiles. Highlight the first profile and
click the Copy to button and navigate to the new user account; or if you
want everyone who logs in to have the same profile, copy to the default user
account. In the Permitted to use section, click change and make the
appropriate choices.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the help RA. That sounds like what I need to do but I ran into
one problem. When I got to the stage where I was supposed to select the Copy
button for the first Usr Profile, both the Copy and Paste buttons were
"Ghosted" out. (Copy and Paste are active for the second User Profile). I
think I need to change a setting somewhere but I'm not sure where. Thanks
again. Mack

 

[Steve Nielsen]

Thanks for the help RA. That sounds like what I need to do but I ran into
one problem. When I got to the stage where I was supposed to select the Copy
button for the first Usr Profile, both the Copy and Paste buttons were
"Ghosted" out. (Copy and Paste are active for the second User Profile). I
think I need to change a setting somewhere but I'm not sure where. Thanks
again. Mack

You can't copy the profile of a currently logged in user. Login with an
andinistrator equivalent account other than either user you're dealing
with. Create a new Computer Administrator account if you have to, login
as that user and then copy the profile.

Also, copying a profile to the Default User folder will have no effect
on any existing users, it is only applicable to new users.

Steve

 

[Guest]

Thanks Steve. That answered my question. Mack

 

[Guest]

Well, that didn't work. I did something wrong. Got to the "Copy To" screen
and selected OK. Got a Confirm Copy screen. Selected YES but got a Profile
Error Screen. "<C:\Documents and Settings\"username"> could ot be deleted.
Please delete the directory and retry. I think I need more specifics
instructions on what I'm supposed to select. Thanks, Mack

 

[RA]

I have never seen that error but then I have only done this for new profiles
and the default profile. I would try it on a new test profile to see if the
same thing happens.

 

[Guest]

Well, I screwed something up. I tried the below and it didn't work. I tried
the below again but this time I went to the Permitted to use section,
selected the First User and selected OK. All that did was change my desktop
background (no icons or shortcuts). Now under my C\documents and settings, I
have two seperate listings for the second account. One called Tina and one
called Tina.MH Each has all the basic folders listed (Cookies, Favorites,
etc). I tried to delete the Tina.MH in Windows Explorer and got an message
that I can't delete it because it says it's a "systems folder". How can I
delete this duplicate folder that I don't want? Thanks, Mack

"Right click on My Computer, go to Properties and click the Advanced tab,
click the settings button in User Profiles. Highlight the first profile and
click the Copy to button and navigate to the new user account; or if you
want everyone who logs in to have the same profile, copy to the default user
account. In the Permitted to use section, click change and make the
appropriate choices."