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isjones

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NTUSER.dat - can i extract data from it?

Hi,

I would like to be able to extract information/data from ntuser.dat files.  For example, I would like to get printers, my network places and network drives from each profile on a pc and then export that information to the same users profiles on a new machine - without logging on as the users.

Additionally, does anyone know?  Are there any (ideally free) tools that can be used to view, edit/modify ntuser.dat files?

Thanks in advance and kind regards, Ian
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djpazza
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isjones

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HI dipazza,

I am aware of load/unload but ideally I would like to, for example, create a script that simply runs through the ntuser.dat files on a pc and extracts the printers, etc for each user and then creates a file for each user with the data that can then be used with another script to modify the new copy of ntuser on the new machine.  

I think what I am asking for is a way to convert/open the .dat file, as say, a Notepad file to get/return the data.

Thanks
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Patmac951
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the replies confirmed my thinking that the solution I wished to pursue is currently probably impractical..  I did hope maybe if an admin was logged on there could be a way for them to have sufficient privileges to do this as mentioned via  script however the use of a 3rd party tool will have to do.  Many thanks to the contributors