How to Create and Copy Roaming User Profiles in NT 4.0

ID: Q142682

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server

SUMMARY

On occasions, it may be necessary for an administrator to copy a defined User Profile to a number of Users, which will present each of them with an identical initial profile for their first logon, which they will then be able to modify as required.

This article shows you how to copy such a profile. One difficulty of this procedure is that it is not obvious, in the Copy To dialog box (under My Computer, Control Panel, System, User Profiles), what the correct entry for Copy Profile To should be for Roaming User Profiles. This article also covers that question.


MORE INFORMATION

To create a Roaming Profile:

  1. In the System tool in Control Panel, click User Profiles and select an existing User Profile.


  2. Change the type of profile by clicking Change Type. Select either Local or Roaming.


An existing User Profile can be copied to another user[ASCII 146]s account by following these steps:
  1. In Control Panel, double-click the System icon.


  2. Click the User Profiles tab.


  3. Select an existing Local or Roaming Profile that you want to copy.


  4. Click the Copy To button


  5. Under Copy Profile To, specify a UNC path to the user[ASCII 146]s profile directory, for example:

    \\ServerName\ShareName\User'sProfileDirectory

    -or-

    In Network Neighborhood, select the user's profile directory.


  6. Click Change in Permitted to Use to select the user that will be permitted to use this profile.


  7. Click OK to copy the profile.


  8. Click OK to close System Properties.


  9. The user[ASCII 146]s account will then have to be updated to reflect the path of the roaming profile. This is done in User Manager. Double click the appropriate user[ASCII 146]s name.


  10. Click Profile and enter the UNC path from step 5 for the User Profile Path. Click OK.


After the user has successfully logged on, the profile will be saved on the server as a Roaming Profile, and any profile changes will be saved to the server.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbnetwork ntdomain NTSrvWkst
Version : WINDOWS:2000; winnt:4.0
Platform : WINDOWS winnt
Issue type : kbhowto


Last Reviewed: January 17, 2000
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