how to copy ntuser.dat file

Here is the solution

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811151

You must logon as another user with administrative rights, ant then it gives the opportunity to copy other user's ntuser.dat

It need to be done either through a command prompt, or the simplest method is to log on as another user and then copy it. As soon as the user is logged in, the file is in use. Logging in as another user will remove that limitation. If needed, simply create a new user to be used just for maintenance and perform the backup.

That is not true, I will log in as both local and domain admin and still it will not copy over.  Is there another way?

also wtih vineethvp way will not work becuase of this part: Press and hold down the CTRL key while you click each file and subfolder in this folder, except the following files:
Ntuser.dat
Ntuser.dat.log
Ntuser.ini
and I need that ntuser.dat file since this client is extremely anal retentive regarding every single setting on his pc

Hello mmercaldi,

Di you try the Safe mode ?
Or any LiveCD : http://knoppix-fr.org/

Regards.

Then I would simply boot the system to a command prompt using the F8 boot options, and copy it from there.

so I have to reboot the machine first?

You can run this on the station

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=1B286E6D-8912-4E18-B570-42470E2F3582&displaylang=en#filelist


and it will help unload a profile when a user logs off.  Making it easier to copy.

"so I have to reboot the machine first?"

To remove any open handles to the file, it will help. You can use Unlockers, but I personally wouldnt mess with anything like that on a reg hive.....

Although this is an older thread: If someone searches the same and comes to this one, there is a tool to backup and restore the registry, working also with Windows 7/64 (maybe also with newer Windows versions) which is free:

http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

Must be run as administrator.
You don't need to logoff the current user as long as you run the program as administrator. So it IS possible to copy a loaded registry.