Same Profile for All Users

[James U]

Is it possible to configure XP to have all users that log in to use the same
exact profile? ex C:\Documents and Settings\GenericUser

I want to do this b/c in my lab environments it is almost always a user's
first time logging in. This means that a profile has to be created as well as
some applications need to be configured (like MS Office) on first run. This
coupled with the age and speed of our computers makes the process time
consuming. I don't really like the use of Roaming Profiles because it affects
everywhere the user logs in, not just this location. I also need them to log
in with their own accounts for accountabliity.

Feedback appreciated.

[John John]

Customize the Default User profile.
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5RfS0NGfUYAV7RXNyoA?p=custom+defa ult+user+profile&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt

John

James U wrote:

> Is it possible to configure XP to have all users that log in to use the same
> exact profile? ex C:\Documents and Settings\GenericUser
>
> I want to do this b/c in my lab environments it is almost always a user's
> first time logging in. This means that a profile has to be created as well as
> some applications need to be configured (like MS Office) on first run. This
> coupled with the age and speed of our computers makes the process time
> consuming. I don't really like the use of Roaming Profiles because it affects
> everywhere the user logs in, not just this location. I also need them to log
> in with their own accounts for accountabliity.
>
> Feedback appreciated.

[R. McCarty]

Just configure a single/existing profile to your preferences. Then log into
an alternate account and copy the "Source" profile to "Default User".
From that point forward any new user gets that template applied. There
are other solutions but the Engineering time to setup/maintain would be
a lot more effort.

"James U" > wrote in message
...
> Is it possible to configure XP to have all users that log in to use the
> same
> exact profile? ex C:\Documents and Settings\GenericUser
>
> I want to do this b/c in my lab environments it is almost always a user's
> first time logging in. This means that a profile has to be created as well
> as
> some applications need to be configured (like MS Office) on first run.
> This
> coupled with the age and speed of our computers makes the process time
> consuming. I don't really like the use of Roaming Profiles because it
> affects
> everywhere the user logs in, not just this location. I also need them to
> log
> in with their own accounts for accountabliity.
>
> Feedback appreciated.

[James U]

Thanks for the reply. I use the Default Profile extensively now and
unfortunately, it does not provide the results I am looking for.

"John John" wrote:

> Customize the Default User profile.
> http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5RfS0NGfUYAV7RXNyoA?p=custom+defa ult+user+profile&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt
>
> John
>
> James U wrote:
>
> > Is it possible to configure XP to have all users that log in to use the same
> > exact profile? ex C:\Documents and Settings\GenericUser
> >
> > I want to do this b/c in my lab environments it is almost always a user's
> > first time logging in. This means that a profile has to be created as well as
> > some applications need to be configured (like MS Office) on first run. This
> > coupled with the age and speed of our computers makes the process time
> > consuming. I don't really like the use of Roaming Profiles because it affects
> > everywhere the user logs in, not just this location. I also need them to log
> > in with their own accounts for accountabliity.
> >
> > Feedback appreciated.
>
>

[John John]

I'm not sure what you mean. Do like R. McCarty says, copy the profile
that is to your liking to the Default User. Use the System applet in
Control Panel to copy the profile (or right-click on My Computer and
select Properties |Advanced tab).

John

James U wrote:

> Thanks for the reply. I use the Default Profile extensively now and
> unfortunately, it does not provide the results I am looking for.
>
> "John John" wrote:
>
>
>>Customize the Default User profile.
>>http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5RfS0NGfUYAV7RXNyoA?p=custom+defa ult+user+profile&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt
>>
>>John
>>
>>James U wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Is it possible to configure XP to have all users that log in to use the same
>>>exact profile? ex C:\Documents and Settings\GenericUser
>>>
>>>I want to do this b/c in my lab environments it is almost always a user's
>>>first time logging in. This means that a profile has to be created as well as
>>>some applications need to be configured (like MS Office) on first run. This
>>>coupled with the age and speed of our computers makes the process time
>>>consuming. I don't really like the use of Roaming Profiles because it affects
>>>everywhere the user logs in, not just this location. I also need them to log
>>>in with their own accounts for accountabliity.
>>>
>>>Feedback appreciated.
>>
>>

[James U]

I appreciate what you are saying, but I already customize the Default User
profile the way you have described. Even doing this, there are many events
that still happen the first time a new user logs in.

"John John" wrote:

> I'm not sure what you mean. Do like R. McCarty says, copy the profile
> that is to your liking to the Default User. Use the System applet in
> Control Panel to copy the profile (or right-click on My Computer and
> select Properties |Advanced tab).
>
> John
>
> James U wrote:
>
> > Thanks for the reply. I use the Default Profile extensively now and
> > unfortunately, it does not provide the results I am looking for.
> >
> > "John John" wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Customize the Default User profile.
> >>http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5RfS0NGfUYAV7RXNyoA?p=custom+defa ult+user+profile&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt
> >>
> >>John
> >>
> >>James U wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>Is it possible to configure XP to have all users that log in to use the same
> >>>exact profile? ex C:\Documents and Settings\GenericUser
> >>>
> >>>I want to do this b/c in my lab environments it is almost always a user's
> >>>first time logging in. This means that a profile has to be created as well as
> >>>some applications need to be configured (like MS Office) on first run. This
> >>>coupled with the age and speed of our computers makes the process time
> >>>consuming. I don't really like the use of Roaming Profiles because it affects
> >>>everywhere the user logs in, not just this location. I also need them to log
> >>>in with their own accounts for accountabliity.
> >>>
> >>>Feedback appreciated.
> >>
> >>
>
>

[John John]

The only other place to customize is in HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT

John

James U wrote:

> I appreciate what you are saying, but I already customize the Default User
> profile the way you have described. Even doing this, there are many events
> that still happen the first time a new user logs in.
>
> "John John" wrote:
>
>
>>I'm not sure what you mean. Do like R. McCarty says, copy the profile
>>that is to your liking to the Default User. Use the System applet in
>>Control Panel to copy the profile (or right-click on My Computer and
>>select Properties |Advanced tab).
>>
>>John
>>
>>James U wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Thanks for the reply. I use the Default Profile extensively now and
>>>unfortunately, it does not provide the results I am looking for.
>>>
>>>"John John" wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Customize the Default User profile.
>>>>http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5RfS0NGfUYAV7RXNyoA?p=custom+defa ult+user+profile&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt
>>>>
>>>>John
>>>>
>>>>James U wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Is it possible to configure XP to have all users that log in to use the same
>>>>>exact profile? ex C:\Documents and Settings\GenericUser
>>>>>
>>>>>I want to do this b/c in my lab environments it is almost always a user's
>>>>>first time logging in. This means that a profile has to be created as well as
>>>>>some applications need to be configured (like MS Office) on first run. This
>>>>>coupled with the age and speed of our computers makes the process time
>>>>>consuming. I don't really like the use of Roaming Profiles because it affects
>>>>>everywhere the user logs in, not just this location. I also need them to log
>>>>>in with their own accounts for accountabliity.
>>>>>
>>>>>Feedback appreciated.
>>>>
>>>>
>>

[James U]

When you use the "Default User method", a new user will copy that profile to
their own and run from there forward. I do not want there to be a copy at
all. If 100 people logged on to the computer, I would love to see only 1
profile in the Documents and Settings directory that everyone uses.

"John John" wrote:

> The only other place to customize is in HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT
>
> John
>
> James U wrote:
>
> > I appreciate what you are saying, but I already customize the Default User
> > profile the way you have described. Even doing this, there are many events
> > that still happen the first time a new user logs in.
> >
> > "John John" wrote:
> >
> >
> >>I'm not sure what you mean. Do like R. McCarty says, copy the profile
> >>that is to your liking to the Default User. Use the System applet in
> >>Control Panel to copy the profile (or right-click on My Computer and
> >>select Properties |Advanced tab).
> >>
> >>John
> >>
> >>James U wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>Thanks for the reply. I use the Default Profile extensively now and
> >>>unfortunately, it does not provide the results I am looking for.
> >>>
> >>>"John John" wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Customize the Default User profile.
> >>>>http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5RfS0NGfUYAV7RXNyoA?p=custom+defa ult+user+profile&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt
> >>>>
> >>>>John
> >>>>
> >>>>James U wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>Is it possible to configure XP to have all users that log in to use the same
> >>>>>exact profile? ex C:\Documents and Settings\GenericUser
> >>>>>
> >>>>>I want to do this b/c in my lab environments it is almost always a user's
> >>>>>first time logging in. This means that a profile has to be created as well as
> >>>>>some applications need to be configured (like MS Office) on first run. This
> >>>>>coupled with the age and speed of our computers makes the process time
> >>>>>consuming. I don't really like the use of Roaming Profiles because it affects
> >>>>>everywhere the user logs in, not just this location. I also need them to log
> >>>>>in with their own accounts for accountabliity.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Feedback appreciated.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>
>
>

[John John]

Then the only thing that I can think of would be to have all the user
SID's point to the same ProfileImagePath folder. That is at
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

It is not something that I would personally endorse doing for so many
users! I can see where a few users might happilly share the same
profile folder but I can only see an imense mess ensuing trying to have
100 users use the same profile folder! I'm thinking if that is what you
really want why even bother creating new users? Just tell the users
what the username and password is and let them all logon with the same
user account and let them have a free for all.

There is a utility called ForensiT's ProfWiz that may do some of what
you want to do.

John

James U wrote:

> When you use the "Default User method", a new user will copy that profile to
> their own and run from there forward. I do not want there to be a copy at
> all. If 100 people logged on to the computer, I would love to see only 1
> profile in the Documents and Settings directory that everyone uses.
>
> "John John" wrote:
>
>
>>The only other place to customize is in HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT
>>
>>John
>>
>>James U wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I appreciate what you are saying, but I already customize the Default User
>>>profile the way you have described. Even doing this, there are many events
>>>that still happen the first time a new user logs in.
>>>
>>>"John John" wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>I'm not sure what you mean. Do like R. McCarty says, copy the profile
>>>>that is to your liking to the Default User. Use the System applet in
>>>>Control Panel to copy the profile (or right-click on My Computer and
>>>>select Properties |Advanced tab).
>>>>
>>>>John
>>>>
>>>>James U wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Thanks for the reply. I use the Default Profile extensively now and
>>>>>unfortunately, it does not provide the results I am looking for.
>>>>>
>>>>>"John John" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Customize the Default User profile.
>>>>>>http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5RfS0NGfUYAV7RXNyoA?p=custom+defa ult+user+profile&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt
>>>>>>
>>>>>>John
>>>>>>
>>>>>>James U wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Is it possible to configure XP to have all users that log in to use the same
>>>>>>>exact profile? ex C:\Documents and Settings\GenericUser
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I want to do this b/c in my lab environments it is almost always a user's
>>>>>>>first time logging in. This means that a profile has to be created as well as
>>>>>>>some applications need to be configured (like MS Office) on first run. This
>>>>>>>coupled with the age and speed of our computers makes the process time
>>>>>>>consuming. I don't really like the use of Roaming Profiles because it affects
>>>>>>>everywhere the user logs in, not just this location. I also need them to log
>>>>>>>in with their own accounts for accountabliity.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Feedback appreciated.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>

[James U]

That program you listed below is exactly what I am looking for! Thanks for
the advice.


"John John" wrote:

> Then the only thing that I can think of would be to have all the user
> SID's point to the same ProfileImagePath folder. That is at
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
>
> It is not something that I would personally endorse doing for so many
> users! I can see where a few users might happilly share the same
> profile folder but I can only see an imense mess ensuing trying to have
> 100 users use the same profile folder! I'm thinking if that is what you
> really want why even bother creating new users? Just tell the users
> what the username and password is and let them all logon with the same
> user account and let them have a free for all.
>
> There is a utility called ForensiT's ProfWiz that may do some of what
> you want to do.
>
> John
>
> James U wrote:
>
> > When you use the "Default User method", a new user will copy that profile to
> > their own and run from there forward. I do not want there to be a copy at
> > all. If 100 people logged on to the computer, I would love to see only 1
> > profile in the Documents and Settings directory that everyone uses.
> >
> > "John John" wrote:
> >
> >
> >>The only other place to customize is in HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT
> >>
> >>John
> >>
> >>James U wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>I appreciate what you are saying, but I already customize the Default User
> >>>profile the way you have described. Even doing this, there are many events
> >>>that still happen the first time a new user logs in.
> >>>
> >>>"John John" wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>I'm not sure what you mean. Do like R. McCarty says, copy the profile
> >>>>that is to your liking to the Default User. Use the System applet in
> >>>>Control Panel to copy the profile (or right-click on My Computer and
> >>>>select Properties |Advanced tab).
> >>>>
> >>>>John
> >>>>
> >>>>James U wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>Thanks for the reply. I use the Default Profile extensively now and
> >>>>>unfortunately, it does not provide the results I am looking for.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>"John John" wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>Customize the Default User profile.
> >>>>>>http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5RfS0NGfUYAV7RXNyoA?p=custom+defa ult+user+profile&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>John
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>James U wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>>Is it possible to configure XP to have all users that log in to use the same
> >>>>>>>exact profile? ex C:\Documents and Settings\GenericUser
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>I want to do this b/c in my lab environments it is almost always a user's
> >>>>>>>first time logging in. This means that a profile has to be created as well as
> >>>>>>>some applications need to be configured (like MS Office) on first run. This
> >>>>>>>coupled with the age and speed of our computers makes the process time
> >>>>>>>consuming. I don't really like the use of Roaming Profiles because it affects
> >>>>>>>everywhere the user logs in, not just this location. I also need them to log
> >>>>>>>in with their own accounts for accountabliity.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>Feedback appreciated.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>
>
>

[John John]

You're welcome.

John

James U wrote:
> That program you listed below is exactly what I am looking for! Thanks for
> the advice.
>
>
> "John John" wrote:
>
>
>>Then the only thing that I can think of would be to have all the user
>>SID's point to the same ProfileImagePath folder. That is at
>>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
>>
>>It is not something that I would personally endorse doing for so many
>>users! I can see where a few users might happilly share the same
>>profile folder but I can only see an imense mess ensuing trying to have
>>100 users use the same profile folder! I'm thinking if that is what you
>>really want why even bother creating new users? Just tell the users
>>what the username and password is and let them all logon with the same
>>user account and let them have a free for all.
>>
>>There is a utility called ForensiT's ProfWiz that may do some of what
>>you want to do.
>>
>>John
>>
>>James U wrote:
>>
>>
>>>When you use the "Default User method", a new user will copy that profile to
>>>their own and run from there forward. I do not want there to be a copy at
>>>all. If 100 people logged on to the computer, I would love to see only 1
>>>profile in the Documents and Settings directory that everyone uses.
>>>
>>>"John John" wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>The only other place to customize is in HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT
>>>>
>>>>John
>>>>
>>>>James U wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I appreciate what you are saying, but I already customize the Default User
>>>>>profile the way you have described. Even doing this, there are many events
>>>>>that still happen the first time a new user logs in.
>>>>>
>>>>>"John John" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>I'm not sure what you mean. Do like R. McCarty says, copy the profile
>>>>>>that is to your liking to the Default User. Use the System applet in
>>>>>>Control Panel to copy the profile (or right-click on My Computer and
>>>>>>select Properties |Advanced tab).
>>>>>>
>>>>>>John
>>>>>>
>>>>>>James U wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Thanks for the reply. I use the Default Profile extensively now and
>>>>>>>unfortunately, it does not provide the results I am looking for.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>"John John" wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Customize the Default User profile.
>>>>>>>>http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5RfS0NGfUYAV7RXNyoA?p=custom+defa ult+user+profile&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>John
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>James U wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Is it possible to configure XP to have all users that log in to use the same
>>>>>>>>>exact profile? ex C:\Documents and Settings\GenericUser
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>I want to do this b/c in my lab environments it is almost always a user's
>>>>>>>>>first time logging in. This means that a profile has to be created as well as
>>>>>>>>>some applications need to be configured (like MS Office) on first run. This
>>>>>>>>>coupled with the age and speed of our computers makes the process time
>>>>>>>>>consuming. I don't really like the use of Roaming Profiles because it affects
>>>>>>>>>everywhere the user logs in, not just this location. I also need them to log
>>>>>>>>>in with their own accounts for accountabliity.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Feedback appreciated.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>