Copying default profiles in Vista

[Halcyon]

Hello!

I wonder if anyone knows a few Vista tricks as I can't seem to find an easy way for copying profiles.

At work on my Xp machines, once I had setup windows. logged in and customised and setup my desktop, proxy settings, and other profile settings, I simply used to log in as another user, copy the profile to default folder and then from that moment onwards, everyone got the new profile settings when they logged in.

Now we have a room full of Vista machines and I've logged in and set everything up as I want it. If I wanted to copy my profile to the default user on that particular machine, that is fine, I use the profiles settings in system properties.
However, if I want to now take this newly created customised profile and span it accross the whole room, I'm stumped as to how to do it.

I've tried many ways but they often lead to Vista loading a temporary profile which more or less messes up everything.

I'd like to be able to just copy my profile folder onto my memory stick and then quickly copy it into the default on all PC's round the room. But Vista seems to make it harder for this to work compared to the good old XP days.

Maybe there is a way. Does anyone know how to do this easily and quickly ?


Many thanks for all your help,


halcyon.

yes there is a way to do this i myself have not had to use this feature so you might need to experiment
open control panel>user accounts>configure user account advanced properties>double click the profile and a new window opens with a choice to select roaming profile or local
that's as far as my knowledge goes on this but it should give you a start
hope it helps

what about using easy transfer to transfer settings?

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

what about using easy transfer to transfer settings?

i thought of that but i think it's for transfering settings to a new computer not just putting your own personal settings on a networked computer which i think the op is on about

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by martyh

yes there is a way to do this i myself have not had to use this feature so you might need to experiment
open control panel>user accounts>configure user account advanced properties>double click the profile and a new window opens with a choice to select roaming profile or local
that's as far as my knowledge goes on this but it should give you a start
hope it helps

Thankyou for both your suggestions. The method above works but only on the Pc you are working at. It lets you copy your newly created profile to the default one and I set permissions to everyone and it works.

However, I dont want to configure a profile on each machine. I need to do it once only.

I'm going to have a play around with it tomorrow again.
I'l have a look into that EasyTransfer software tomorrow too.

I thought I could place the profile into the users folder and it would come up in the accounts profiles settings but it doesnt appear either.

It used to work so easy in XP. Why Microsoft had to make things more complicated is a mystery!

sorry i couldn't be more help if your company has just changed to vista machines be prepaired for a world of hurt

[BenMcr]

I assume the difference is because Vista is much more geared to be used in conjunction with a Server and Group Policy/Active Directory. So all user profile settings are done on the Server rather than on the client

I do not understand whats wrong with Easy Transfer? It allows you to copy one user all users or gives you choices what to copy. You select working on old computer select what you want to copy over whether it is user account only or settings also . On other machines you select working on new computer and import the data . What is missing from that?

Just noticed you aint tried it yet lol

[BenMcr]

I think what the OP is trying to do is clone his profile settings for all other users on the computers - rather than just set himself up on each PC

So when he sets up a new user he doesn't have to log into it to set up the wallpaper, desktop short cuts, Start menu items etc

yes and if you have a look at Easy Transfer it allows you to move user profiles either one or all from one machine to another. He can change account name if needed in Users

I do know what he means you know I do kinda know my way around a pc well at least a little bit

[BenMcr]

But even with Easy Transfer you can only copy existing profiles.

It won't fix adding new users (unless you then use it again)