Microsoft KB Archive/322014

= HOW TO: Change the Default Location of User Profiles and Program Settings =

PSS ID Number: 322014

Article Last Modified on 3/17/2004

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server

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This article was previously published under Q322014



IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

IN THIS TASK

 * SUMMARY
 * ** To Move a User's Documents and Settings Folder



SUMMARY
This article describes how to move a user's Documents and Settings folder.

All users profile information is stored in the %System Drive%\Documents and Settings folder. If you try to move or rename a user's Documents and Settings folder in Windows, you receive the following error message

Documents and Settings is a Windows system folder and is required for Windows to run properly. It cannot be moved or renamed.

NOTE: This article contains information about a configuration that Microsoft does not support. Microsoft provides this information for informational purposes only; Microsoft makes no guarantee that this configuration functions properly.

WARNING: Microsoft strongly recommends against renaming any system folder. System failure or an unstable computer might result if you rename system folders. Back up your computer before you use the information in this article.

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To Move a User's Documents and Settings Folder
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

NOTE: This method does not relocate key Windows components. Use this method only to move user-specific data.  Identify the user's profile path. There are two methods to identify the profile path. Use either of the following methods (the user SID method is preferred):  The user SID method:  Use the Getsid tool from the Windows Server Resource Kit to obtain the SID. Use syntax that is similar to the following example:

getsid \\  \\

 After you obtain the SID, use Regedit.exe or Regedt32.exe to select the user's SID under the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

  The user path setting method:  Log on to the computer as the user, and then type set at a command prompt. Note the setting for USERPROFILE, and then close the command prompt window.</li> Log on as an administrator of the computer.</li> Use Registry Editor to add the USERPROFILE setting to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList

</li> Click the registry key, and then click Find on the Edit menu.</li> In the Find box, type the value of the USERPROFILE setting, and then click Find Next.</li></ol> </li></ul> </li> Change the ProfilesDirectory value to use the new path that you want in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList registry key.</li> Quit Registry Editor, and then log on as the user. Type set at a command prompt to verify that the path has changed.</li></ol>

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Keywords: kbHOWTOmaster KB322014

Technology: kbwin2000AdvServ kbwin2000AdvServSearch kbwin2000DataServ kbwin2000DataServSearch kbwin2000Pro kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000Serv kbwin2000ServSearch kbWinAdvServSearch kbWinDataServSearch kbWinServ2003Search kbWinServ2003St

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