Setting Windows 2000 client defaults

[BJ Meincke]

I have a number of Windows 2000 Professional clients in a
domain. I thought that changing the Administrator's
settings and copying them to the All Users folder would
effectively set the defaults for all users. It doesn't
seem to. For every new user that logs onto the domain,
they are presented with the default desktop and default
installation settings. As this is a learning environment,
we would like these new 2K clients to match our Win 98
clients as closely as possible.

How can I designate a single-click, teal desktop, etc. and
have those settings reflected for all new users?

Also, I have installed Office 2K on these clients under
the Administrator account and had hoped this would allow
seamless use for all users. It does not. Each time a new
user opens an Office application, the program enters an
installation routine. Since the original path of the
Office installation is not available to users other than
the Admin, this process fails and renders the Office apps
unaccessible!!!

Thank you in advance for any help,
BJM
AACE
HDSB

 

[John Yost]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-
US;305709

The link above is very helpful....we've been developing a
new Windows 2000 image for our Windows 98 sets and had the
same problem you are.
Basically log into the domain using a generic account -
use gpedit.msc to set your policies for the desktop, etc.
Then follow the instructions in the tech support page to
copy that profile to the default profile.
This will cure most of the issues you're having. I still
have to figure out how to set a default home page (our
intranet) for all users as well as the internet security
settings, TweakUI settings, etc. But this is a great
start!!

Hope this helps!
John

 

[BJM]

Wow! Thanks John.

Here is a possible workaround for your default homepage
situation until you solve it in a more meaningful way:
What I have done is simply put a shortcut to the desired
URL in the Startup group. It puts the page in the users'
face as soon as they log on, but...

Thanks,
BJM

 

[NIC Student]

Copy the desired profile into the Default User profile, not to All Users.

Install Office with Group Policy if possible to avoid the problems. Doing a
Custom Install and install all options will solve problems with "source not
accessible problems".

You can use Group Policy to set standard desktops for your users.