A user profile consists of user-specific information contained in the User.dat file, which is one of the two files in the Microsoft Windows 98 registry. Optionally, a user profile can also contain special Windows 98 directories. The benefits of using user profiles are summarized in this section.
Multiple users on a computer can retain their personal settings.
Roaming users can log on to the network from any computer and work with the same desktop settings as long as the computer is running a Windows 98 32-bit, protected-mode network client.
Windows 98 automatically maintains each user’s profile.
Whether profiles are stored locally or on the network, Windows 98 will maintain each individuals user settings automatically.
Mandatory profiles can be used to enforce consistent desktops.
This is useful for novice users who cannot manage their own desktop settings. Mandatory profiles increase user productivity and ease the burden of training and support for system managers.