Removing ALL previous user details in XP
 

Hi,

Wondered if someone had any tips for this scenario.

A Company laptop running WinXP Pro or Home has been set up for a specific user (i.e. Joe Bloggs) and a log on password given. This user leaves or no longer requires the laptop.

The laptop is reallocated to a new user... i.e. John Smith... previous username is removed and the new user added or the profile is renamed to that of the new user.

Problem is - despite all this .. traces of the old user name are left behind... i.e. Documents and Settings user details are not deleted/renamed to the new user. i.e. you can log on as John Smith but see traces of Joe Bloggs all over the place... (even in processes column of task manager).

Does anyone have any tips on how to COMPLETELY remove all traces of the previous user - falling short of a format and re-install that is.

Thanks.

Re: Removing ALL previous user details in XP
 

assuming that the new owner is legit, then only option I know to remove ALL previous details is a complete re-install, do you still the recovery disk, or driver cd's that were supplied with the laptop, or even the windows cd?

Re: Removing ALL previous user details in XP
 

Yes it is legit... and re-install would be totally impractical for the number of laptops I have to control. On the road Sales Staff can come and go sadly.....

Re: Removing ALL previous user details in XP
 

All my reps have Active Directory logins, simply allow it to login even if it cant see the server... The when you need to remove the profile, link it up to the AD server, and remove the profile on the laptop, then kill the login on the server, using the admin login for both. Then sign in with the new login, and all done

Re: Removing ALL previous user details in XP
 

Ok, see if this link helps:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310441

Re: Removing ALL previous user details in XP
 

Nope... but thanks. Only sorts a small part of the problem.

Re: Removing ALL previous user details in XP
 

If you're gonna be repeatedly doing this task, then maybe it would be practical to have a Ghost image taken with only the Admin account and all necessary software/drivers installed, that you can put back easily when required. This would take care of removing all installed software that the previous user had installed, as well as tidying-up the Documents & Settings too.

I guess this isn't much help if you've got to do this clean-up right now, but could be worth it in the long run if you've got to do it repeatedly in the future.

Re: Removing ALL previous user details in XP
 

I have to ask whats it matter???? If the new user logs in and old users account is deleted who really cares if his name shows now and then??

Re: Removing ALL previous user details in XP
 

You would be amazed how it happens. How it can confuse new users.
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Ooooo.... this is a new one to me. How does this work? Got any pointers?

Re: Removing ALL previous user details in XP
 

This isn't just a laptop problem, just more visible on a laptop. On this desktop, I can see the documents and settings folder contains local folders for 20 different users that have logged onto it since it was built.