HELP: User Profile Path

[andrewwan1980]

In Computer Management, Local Users & Groups, in the Profile TAB we can set:

- User Profile Path

- Home Folder Local Path

Am wondering does anyone know how to use these?

I copied my entire HARD DISK contents (via BartPE so I get full unlimited access) to a remote PC. I then fresh reinstalled Windows XP SP2 on my PC as well as creating a second partition for personal data files. Then I copied backed up "C:\Document and Settings\" entire folder from the remote PC to my second partition data drive.

I have 3 user accounts to setup. I understand & know how to redirect My Documents folder (via right-click properties). But am interested in actually setting - User Profile Path - Home Folder Local Path - but don't know how to use them.

[andrewwan1980]

I should've used the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard.. but it's too late now. I already copied my old PC entire harddrive and then wiped it clean. So am wondering is it possible to export/migrate these old PC user profiles into my new PC?

I believe things like Outlook Express, MSN Messenger, and many other Microsoft programs uses GUIDs or security IDs... and the files are encrypted or cannot be opened unless it matches the user account's security ID.

[The2]

You should re-own all those files. I'm not sure how exactly to do it.

[Swiftie]

Outlook Express can be restored.. Depends on how many of your users use it.

What MSN Messenger files do you think you need? Apart from My Received files?

As for the profiles.. Its a just a case of creating the user, log into the username so that it creates a profile folder in the documents and settings of the new install and then copy and paste the docs & sets from the old HD to the new one.

[andrewwan1980]

I did a search on http://support.microsoft.com/ for "Windows XP User Profile". Some interesting ones are http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307800 & http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811151/ .

I tried the User Profile Path (1st link) for this is what I get:

"Windows did not load your roaming profile and is attempting to log you on with your local profile. Changes to the profile will not be copied to the server when you logoff. Windows did not load your profile because a server copy of the profile folder already exists that does not have the correct security. Either the current user or the Administrator's group must be the owner of the folder. Contact your network administrator."

"Windows cannot find the local profile and is logging you on with a temporary profile. Changes you make to this profile will be lost when you log off."

[andrewwan1980]

  Swiftie said:

Outlook Express can be restored.. Depends on how many of your users use it.

What MSN Messenger files do you think you need? Apart from My Received files?

As for the profiles.. Its a just a case of creating the user, log into the username so that it creates a profile folder in the documents and settings of the new install and then copy and paste the docs & sets from the old HD to the new one.

MSN Messenger history.... my family likes their history of their chats.

Outlook Express restoring is a pain.

And desktop, theme settings.... without having to manually set them all up again.

It would be nice to make the import profiles from non-official backup source... seemless ... so that the family use the PC without ever knowning it was reinstalled.