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Win 7 default profile

Updated: 17 Sep 2010 | 2 comments
Gordon Smith 2's picture
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Im struggling with the default profile issue. Im at a university, managing the computer labs.  I dont use syspep, I do all my imaging with Altiris, and let it use it's internal sidgen utils. I can image fine this way.
However, I frequently have to go in and make changes, and have to change the default profile on the fly, in the classroom, in situations where Im not doing any imaging..and Win 7 doesnt seem to allow that, or am I missing something? 
Thanks for any input.

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mclemson's picture
15
Mar
2010
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Sysprep :(

Default profiles are still used in Windows 7, and they can still be updated.  However, if you were used to the unsupported method of copying testuser's C:\Documents and Settings\ folder contents into C:\Documents and Settings\Default User in Windows XP, you won't be able to do that in Windows 7.  Instead, follow the process described in the KB below.

How to customize default user profiles in Windows 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/973289

This may also shed some light on methods:
http://blogs.technet.com/deploymentguys/archive/2009/10/29/configuring-default-user-settings-full-update-for-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx

They've specifically prohibited you from copying the Default User profile through the "lazy," unsupported method.  Unless I don't know a trick, sysprep is the way to do it.

EDIT: I thought this was a good resource on the Windows 7 lab topic.  http://www.nebev.net/blog/?p=227

Mike Clemson, Systems Engineer
Intuitive Technology Group -- Symantec Platinum Partner

pashyn's picture
16
Mar
2010
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Group Policy

Hi,


I can recommend to use Group Policy to configure default user profile.

Windows 7 also supports Group Policy preferences that is very easy way to change windows settings.

but to do this your must have Windows domain running and computers added to domain.