Controlling Default Behavior for Roaming User Profiles

ID: Q196284

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SUMMARY

Windows NT Service Pack 4 includes a new feature in the System Policy Editor that will allow the administrator to define the default selection for the prompt displayed to the user in the event that the locally cached user profile is newer than the central profile. This fix requires that the service pack be applied to the client workstation.


MORE INFORMATION

These new system policies are located under Default Computer/Windows NT User Profiles.

  • "Choose profile default operation" allows the administrator to specify which option in the dialog box will be the default -- use the local profile or overwrite it with the server-based copy.


  • "Time out for dialog boxes" allows the administrator to determine how long the dialog box waits for the user to decide.


Using these policies, the administrator can set Windows NT to use the local profile by default, and set the dialog box time out to 0 seconds. With this configuration, the client will automatically use the local profile if it is newer than the central profile, and the user will not even be prompted.

As an alternative, these options can be set directly in the registry.

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

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).


  2. Add the following value to the registry.

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT
    \CurrentVersion\Winlogon

    NOTE: The registry key above is all one path; it has been wrapped for readability.

    Value: ChooseProfileDefault
    Type: REG_DWORD
    Values: 0 or 1

    0 = Use Local Profile
    1 = Download Profile


  3. Add the following value to the registry.

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT
    \CurrentVersion\Winlogon

    NOTE: The registry key above is all one path; it has been wrapped for readability.

    Value: ProfileDlgTimeOut
    Type: REG_DWORD
    Range: 0 - 600 (seconds)


Additional query words: spe poledit roving roam

Keywords : NT4SP4Fea ntdomain
Version : WinNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbinfo


Last Reviewed: February 25, 1999
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