Microsoft KB Archive/186521

= Why Terminal Server Users Should Have New Home Directories =

Article ID: 186521

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

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This article was previously published under Q186521



SUMMARY
The default home directory location is the user's profile. This may not be efficient if the user stores a large amount of data in the home directory.



MORE INFORMATION
By default, all users have a home directory defined for them. The default location is the user's profile, located under %systemroot%\profiles\%username%. The home directory is called "Windows," and contains a necessary subdirectory called "System." These are critical directories. The system writes user-specific application INI files to the user's Windows directory, and by default, refers any application requesting the system Windows directory to the user's Windows directory.

Users typically make use of a home directory to save files.

If users do not save files in their home directories, then the default location of the user's profile may not be an issue. However, if the user stores files in the Windows home director, the user needs a new home directory path outside of the user profile.

When a user logs on, the entire profile is parsed and loaded, including any files in the default home directory. If you use roaming profiles, for example, the profile and the entire set of files in the home directory will be copied to the profile cache (the user's profile under %SystemRoot%\Profiles\%UserName%) at every logon attempt. This can take considerable time and resources, especially if the roaming profile is stored across the network.

For these reasons, it is a good idea to specify a new location for home directories in User Manager for each user. For example, create a directory on the computer running Terminal Server called HOMEDIRS, and give the group called "Everyone," Change permissions. Then you can specify the home directory location as C:\Homedirs\%UserName% in User Manager. The system will automatically create the username subdirectory and give it appropriate permissions (Administrators receive Special Access permission with directory-level access only, and the specific users receive Full Control). The default permissions allow Administrators to copy files into the home directory, but not to read or delete files there.

The Windows and Windows\System directories will also be automatically created in the user's home directory. Administrators will be given Full Control of these directories (and MUST have full control).

After the home directory is created, copy any files in the existing home directory under the user's profile to the new home directory (make sure you check the Windows and Windows\System subdirectories for any files). You can then delete the old home directory.

Keywords: kbinfo KB186521

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