Cannot copy user profiles

[guest]

We're testing Windows 7 RC 64 bit version. When attempting to copy a profile to the default user profile, the copy to button is grayed out. Machine has been rebooted numerous times.

[guest]

This issue has been reported many times and we are still trying to get an official answer or find documentation about the problem.

[guest]

That scenario that was used to replace the Default User Profile was unsupported in Windows Vista and unsupported in Windows XP. There were many issues with it in the prior OSes, even though those issues were not always apparent, they did exist and caused inconsistencies and lingering problems.
This article points to the supported way of updating the Default User profile
959753 How to customize the default local user profile when you prepare an image of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.as ... -US;959753

[guest]

Please Tell me this is a BUG?

I am a network Administrator. I use the Profiles tab ALL the TIME to create Roaming Profiles because I use Mandatory Roaming Profiles.



To make a roaming profile you need to go to the Users Profile tab in the properties of Computer.

Find the profile and choose "Copy to"

In Windows 7 the "Copy To" is GREYED OUT for EVERY USER except the Default Profile. I have tried a Local User (regular) and two different domain users (regular). I have logged in as both Domain Admin and Regular Admin.

Machine has been restarted so the profiles are no longer loaded in the registry and I CAN delete them (Delete option is Available). However, I just can't "copy to" using profile tab.

I have logged in as a Local Administrator (yes I enabled it) and also a Domain Administrator. Both have the greyed out "copy to" button. It is not a permissions issue.

It is available this way in Vista as I have done it per these Microsoft Instructions.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/libr ... 6489(WS.10).aspx

http://i.technet.microsoft.com/cc766489 ... 3b0c(en-us).gif

Create a Default Network User Profile
Log on to a computer running Windows Vista with any domain user account. Do not use a domain administrator account.

Configure user settings such as background colors and screen savers to meet your company standard. Log off the computer.

Log on to the computer used in step 1 with a domain administrator account.

Use the Run command to connect to the Netlogon share of a domain controller. For Example, the path used in the contoso.com domain looks like \\HQ-CON-SRV-01\NETLOGON

Create a new folder in the Netlogon share and name it Default User.v2.

Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.

Click Advanced System Settings. Under User Profiles, click Settings.


The User Profiles dialog box shows a list of profiles stored on the computer. Click the name of the user you used in step 1. Click Copy To.

In the Copy To dialog box, type the network path to the Windows Vista default user folder you created in step 5 in the Copy profile to text box. For example, the network path in the contoso.com domain is \\HQ-CON-SRV-01\NETLOGON \Default User.v2.

In Permitted to use, click Change. Type the name Everyone,and then click OK.

Click OK to start copying the profile. Close all remaining windows and log off the computer when the copying process is complete

[guest]

I did it now with a hint from another guy:


"I got this to work, but it's no where near as elegant as with XP and Vista via the User Profile "copy to" method above:

Customize a user profile as needed
Go to Control Panel and create a new dummy admininstrator
Reboot, log in as the dummy admin
Browse to C: and go into the Folder settings and Show all hidden/system files
Browse to C:\Users and CTRL-drag the Default folder to make a second (backup) copy of it
Browse to C:\Users and CTRL-drag the customized user profile to make a second copy of it
SHIFT-DEL the original Default folder
Rename the customized folder copy to Default
Create a new dummy admin and reboot/log in to test it

I've not tested this extensively yet but this seemed to work with the exception that the desktop background pic was gone leaving a black background. I fixed this easily by re-selecting the correct background pic.

I really hope that MS restores the previous method as this seems very sketchy to me and I'd hate to have to use this in a production environment."

It seems to work, but the registry-entry for shell folders are - as with vista and w2008 - also wrong. All shell folders entries have the paths from the initial user. I can fix it with a script, this is ok.

But I don't understand, why the traditional way of preparing new profiles is greyed out.

[guest]

I just was able to get the COPY button ungrayed. The key here is that after you create and customize the template user profile (the one that you're going to copy) while logged into the domain as that user, you have to REBOOT THE WORKSTATION COMPUTER before logging in as an admin to do the copying. Logging out, and logging in as an admin doesn't do it. You have to REBOOT.

In summary, I created a new domain user in Active Directory Users and Computers. I did not change the default settings for where this user's profile would be stored.

I logged into the domain as this new user on a workstation. I customized the profile (desktop settings, icons, wallpaper, etc). I then REBOOTED THE WORKSTATION.

On that same workstation, I logged in as an administrator, right clicked on My Computer, selected Advanced, and User Profiles.

I then highlighted the Domain\username profile that I just customized and wanted to copy, and hit the Copy button. This button was not grayed out anymore.

I then copied the profile to the \\domaincontrollername \netlogon\Default User directory. The actual profile files and folders (Application Data, desktop, Favorites, etc) sit inside the Default User folder (\sysvol\sysvol\yourdomainname \scripts\Default User\theprofilefiles ) (the italicized pieces will be changed to match your setup).

FYI, on my system, this Default Users folder has Full Control privs for sharing, and Full Control NTFS privs for Everyone, Domainname \administrator and System.

Again, the two key things that I've learned is that you can't copy a user profile if you're logged in as that user, and you have to reboot the computer between logging in as that user, and logging in as the administrator to do the copying.

[guest]

believe I have a solution!

I just tested it, and it seems to work perfectly. :)

1. Download a little freeware program called "Windows Enabler 1.1" (Google it, and download it).
(It's a handy little portable utility I keep on my thumb drive and network utilities folder. All you need is the "Windows Enabler.exe" and "EnablerDLL.dll" together in a folder.)

2. Run Windows Enabler on the Windows 7 machine, and a little blue & white icon will show up in your system tray.

3. Bring up the "Users Profile" window, and select the profile you wish to copy where the button is grayed out.

4. Click on the Windows Enabler icon in your system tray, and it should say "On"

5. Click once on the "Copy To" button, and it should un-gray the button. Click the Windows Enabler icon again to turn it off.

6. Now, you have your Copy To button working! Copy the user profiles as you normally would, and try logging in as a new user on the machine.

I tested it, and it appears fully functional. I was able to copy a profile, and log in with a new user, and everything looks good so far! :D Windows Enabler is a great little utility to add to your collection :)

Hope that helps!

[guest]

Using the Windows Enabler

Step 1 Go to Google.com and search for Windows Enabler and download the unzip the Enabler in a folder or USB Stick

Step 2. Double click the Windows Enabler

Step 3. Go to the system tray and click on the Windows Enabler Icon and it will turn on

Step 4. Go to the User Profile menu

Step 5. Select a profile and if the button is still in gray than click on it. Now like magic it become visible to use and the button is now ready for you to copy a profile.

And that is it.



And the Windows Search does suck big time, I will agree to that.