How to Disable and Delete User Profiles

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows 95

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SUMMARY

This article describes how to disable and remove user profiles.

MORE INFORMATION

Note that following the steps in this article will disable and remove user profiles. All users of the Windows 95-based computer will see the same desktop and menus.

Disabling User Profiles

1. Restart the computer. At the Windows logon screen, click Cancel.

2. In Control Panel, double-click Passwords.

3. On the User Profiles tab, click "All users of this PC use the same preferences and desktop," and then click OK.

4. When you are prompted to restart the computer, do so.

Removing Existing User Profiles

NOTE: For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Use Registry Editor to remove the appropriate <user name> keys from the following registry key:

         HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
         ProfileLst\<username>
   

   To remove all profiles, remove the ProfileLst key.

   When you are done, quit Registry Editor.

2. Double-click My Computer.

3. On the View menu, click Options.

4. On the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.

5. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to remove the appropriate Windows\Profiles\<user name> folders.

   To remove all profiles, remove the Windows\Profiles folder.