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Possible to rejoin domain without creating a new user?

I just set up a new 2012 R2 box to replace 2003.

I already disjoined one workstation from the old domain and joined it to the new, and I have two more to go.

My challenge is that any time I rejoin a domain, a new user is created. I get the "Preparing Desktop" message, and then Once the blank desktop appears I need to find the user's old desktop. move those files over, move IE favorites over, same for documents and then the biggie - Setting up a new Outlook account to work with the existing pst.

Is there a way to join/rejoin a domain without a new user being automatically created? In this case, the domain name is precisely the same as the old and the user names are the same. The Server 2003 box is completely retired and the new 2012 R2 box has taken its place.

Thanks for any help!

1 Dell Server 2012 R2
3 Windows 7 Pro workstations

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Cliff Galiher

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Scott Gorcester

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bricar1

ASKER

Thanks guys. I actually used ProfWiz a few times in emergency situations, although I think I recall that it added an extra potential failure point which could once in a blue moon raise its ugly head.

I thought maybe there was a simple and obvious technique that I was completely oblivious to that would preserve the current user and their settings.

I feel better starting fresh anyway. Unfortunately my clients consider their networks the wild, wild west so it gets pretty maddening to find all their rogue files and get them in order. If I were on-site 24/7 things would certainly be different.

Thanks again!

Scott Gorcester

We feel the same pain! :)

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