Garry Shape
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Windows 7 - customize Default User profile?
What's the easiest way to configure the settings for the Default User in Windows 7?
Windows setting such as Power/Screensaver Settings, added printers, etc?
Windows setting such as Power/Screensaver Settings, added printers, etc?
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As Thinkpads already said, the method described in the first reply may be well-intentioned, but unfortunately it really doesn't work well on Windows 7 for several reasons. Here is an excellent article from the TechNet blogs describing the pros & conss in-depth, along with the supported capabilities:
Configuring Default User Settings – Full Update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Configuring Default User Settings – Full Update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Some additional perspective from my personal experience...
In the past, our team has created some great Windows 7 images without making any elaborate modifications to the default user profile. You can easily customize a Windows build by adding applications, installing printer drivers, modifying any local group policies, and copying important shortcuts to the Public user desktop as well as the Default user's Windows Explorer favorites (found in %systemdrive%\Users\Defaul t\Links). Once you are done with that, run Sysprep and clone it with Ghost or something similar.
In the past, our team has created some great Windows 7 images without making any elaborate modifications to the default user profile. You can easily customize a Windows build by adding applications, installing printer drivers, modifying any local group policies, and copying important shortcuts to the Public user desktop as well as the Default user's Windows Explorer favorites (found in %systemdrive%\Users\Defaul
Try this:
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
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
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SOLUTION
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Well said...
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Thanks, John. As always, it's nice to have an opportunity to work with you again.
While I certainly admire the enthusiasm and good intentions of some of our newer EE community members, it's important that we look out for one another to ensure that people seeking a reliable tech solution aren't inadvertently led astray.
While I certainly admire the enthusiasm and good intentions of some of our newer EE community members, it's important that we look out for one another to ensure that people seeking a reliable tech solution aren't inadvertently led astray.
ASKER
Ok thanks I just got back sorry for delay so a lot of solutions Here. I'm going to thank you all and accept the ones inline with sysprep or imaging and group policy as I can't take the chance of the "Copy from Administrator profile" solutions in my environment.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Thank you and thanks for the update. ... Thinkpads_User
You are doing yourself a good service in the long run by not going the easy route......
Best of luck!!
Best of luck!!
Good to hear... I think that you will be very pleased with the results of your efforts!
2# Open the User Accounts control panel, and remove all added user accounts except for the one Administrator-level user account that you used when you logged on.
3# Configure the settings that you want to copy to the default user profile. This includes desktop settings, favorites, and Start menu options.
4# Copy the contents of the admin profile to the default user profile folder