powlaz

I would like to set every user up on their workstation with a default group of settings. I have a Windows 2003 network and XP workstations. We utilize AD but not Group Policy.

There are specific things I adjust EVERY TIME I set up a new computer or set a user up on a new computer. I redirect their My Documents folder, I organize the list of programs into subfolders (in Start Menu) and then tweak settings under almost every program in the control panel.

Although not all users run the same programs, there are very few differences between them. However this generic set of adjustments is done regardless of what department they are in, etc.

I don't want to make these adjustments on everyone's computer individually anymore. Is there a way to save and load my custom settings just once when a user is setup?

I've experimented a little with configuring a user and then copying the profile to use for another person but this method doesn't do exactly what I want (for example all the custom subfolders I add to the Programs list are in place but the Programs menu is not organized into them) and I find it difficult to have to go assign the profile in AD and then remember to unassign it. Remember I only want to make these changes once - when a user is set up.

Thanks for the help.

Po

Cellus

Configure the Default Users profile to use as the template. When you create a new profile, initial settings will be snatched from Default Users.

For more information, take a look at the Microsoft Knowledgebase article here.