Best way to migrate profiles from Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2012 (both Remote Desktop Servers)?
Currently I have a Windows Server 2008R2 (Standard) Remote Desktop Server with about 50 users. I've just finished setting up a Windows Server 2012R2 (Standard) Remote Desktop Server and I'm trying to figure out the best way to copy all the user profiles across (i.e. C:\Users)?
Or is it better to login to as each user to create new profiles & then robocopy their desktop, document, etc. folders??
I assume simply copying the entire C:\Users directory is a bad idea as it's connected with the Windows Registry and the machines are running.
They are both on the same domain & subnet, and I have domain & local administrator access. They are also both on the same 2012R2 Hyper V server so copying files between them should be quick.
Or is it better to login to as each user to create new profiles & then robocopy their desktop, document, etc. folders??
I assume simply copying the entire C:\Users directory is a bad idea as it's connected with the Windows Registry and the machines are running.
They are both on the same domain & subnet, and I have domain & local administrator access. They are also both on the same 2012R2 Hyper V server so copying files between them should be quick.
If just interested in just the files (and not email settings etc) then I would redirect their desktop, documents, pictures, favorites, music, etc to a network location. You can do this by way of GPO also. Then the files would be accessible from any machine on the domain.
ASKER
Thanks for the suggestion but I also need the settings (& many of the users are using thinclients so wouldn't benefit).
If you need the settings then it's probably best to use roaming profiles. That would ensure the registry settings follow the user. If it's an active directory domain, then it's fairly easy to convert the profiles to roaming.
http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/435685-moving-existing-users-from-local-profiles-to-roaming-redirection
http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/435685-moving-existing-users-from-local-profiles-to-roaming-redirection
ASKER
Thanks for the suggestion but as they only need to access the profiles/files when they are logged onto the Remote Desktop Server via a RDP client, it's not worth making them into roaming profiles.
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ASKER
Thanks, I'll check it out!
ASKER
Do you think Windows Server Migration Tools (https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj134202.aspx) would be better?
Are we talking about a lot of profiles?
ASKER
About 50-70...
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