Introduction to Desktop Management
Introduction to Desktop Management |
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A profile is created the first time that a user logs on to a Windows 2000–based or Windows NT–based computer. Profiles are not user policies. A user profile is a profile that defines the Windows 2000–based environment that the system loads when a user logs on. The user has a profile even if you don't use Group Policy. It includes all the user-specific configuration settings, such as program items, screen colors, network connections, printer connections, mouse settings, and window size and position.
You can use Group Policy to centrally manage everything from the wallpaper on the computer to the applications on the desktop, or you can establish an open environment that allows users to modify their desktop and install the software of their choice. You can assign logon and logoff scripts that tightly control access to the computer; for example, you can map specific network drives, or you can use Group Policy security settings that enable open access to all drives.
A user's data might be stored only on the local hard disk drive or set so that the data roams with the user wherever he or she logs on. User data can include shortcuts to executable files, personal files, and user settings, such as a custom dictionary.
Depending on your network, you or a user might define what appears on the desktop. The following user profiles are available in Windows 2000 Server.
Local User Profile Created the first time that a user logs on to a computer and is stored on a computer's local hard disk. Any changes made to the local user profile are specific to the computer where the changes are made.
Roaming User Profile You create this profile and store it on a server. This profile is available every time that a user logs on to any computer on the network. Any changes made to a roaming user profile are updated on the server.
Mandatory User Profile A roaming profile enabled by you and the operating system that creates and manages the roaming profile. This can be used to specify particular settings for individuals or an entire group of users. Only system administrators can make changes to mandatory user profiles. Changes made by the user to desktop settings are lost when they log off. This feature is in Windows 2000 for backward compatibility with Windows NT 4.0–based domains. You need to use Group Policy in Windows 2000, instead of mandatory profiles for the same scenarios.