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GintarasUS

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converting xp workstation from workgroup to domain without losing all settings

I need to convert an office that was running a workgroup enviroment on a win2000 server.  We will be replacing it with a 2003 small business server with a domain.   I ran into this problem before when adding a pc to the domain.  It created a new user and I had to recreate the outlook account, desktop etc.  Is there a simple way to add a pc that was workgroup to a domain and not have to start all over?
Also there were problems with the workstation having rights to install software after adding to a domain.  Is this rights issue covered at the 2003 server or the workstation?
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Alan Huseyin Kayahan
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      Hi GiantarasUS
             *Here is a previously accepted answer of mine for your issue, the tool which I use in operations of infrastructure change from WROKGROUP to DOMAIN.
                https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22515313/Use-another-persons-user-profile.html

Regards
I don't believe that previous question provides a good example in this case.  

If you implement SBS correctly, using the wizards and joining the computers to the SBS domain using the connectcomputer wizard, then neither of these points are issues.  The connect computer wizard will ask you which users you want to assign to the computer and in turn, which existing local profiles you want to use for them.  It also makes any assigned users local administrators so that users have the right to install software on their assigned machines.

If you are not familiar with SBS, I STRONGLY recommend you learn a bit more about it and how it works BEFORE you try to implement it.  If you are familiar with a 2003 domain, you DO NOT KNOW SBS.  SBS is designed to be run through the wizards and you should use them for almost everything.  The only thing I don't use them for is Backup (I don't like that the wizard for backup only performs full backups).

I would suggest you install the system in a TEST ENVIRONMENT first to understand how it differs from 2003 standard version of Server and also, you might want to review the links on my SBS page (I know server well but initially didn't know SBS and I REALLY messed up my first SBS install - it really is a different beast).

http://www.lwcomputing.com/tips/static/sbs.asp
            Hi leew
                   *I have never encountered complications, although I use this tool frequently in Windows Domains including SBS. Being not familiar to SBS and join domain/profile migrating&moving are different cases.
                   *After you! submit a comment in this way, I made some research and found nothing against my comment in SBS. Also found this question that oBdA suggested what I suggest and Jeff has no rejection on it. https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21534254/SBS-2003-rebuild-Access-denied-when-joining-new-domain-with-same-name-as-original-domain.html

Regards
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Lee W, MVP
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