Microsoft KB Archive/325858

= HOW TO: Add Customized User Settings When You Run Sysprep in Windows Server 2003 =

Article ID: 325858

Article Last Modified on 4/5/2004

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition

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This article was previously published under Q325858



For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 291586.

IN THIS TASK
SUMMARY
 * Create a Test User with Administrative Rights
 * Create Custom Settings for the Test User
 * Copy the Test User's Profile Folder to the Default User Profile Folder



SUMMARY
This article describes how to add customized user settings when you run the Sysprep utility (Sysprep.exe).

When you run Sysprep.exe, some user settings cannot be captured in a .reg file and applied after Setup is complete. These settings also cannot be scripted and applied to all new users. To work around this issue, copy a customized user's settings to the Default User profile before you run Sysprep.exe.

Before you start the procedure described in this section, your system must meet the following conditions:
 * A full working installation of Windows Server 2003 is installed on your computer.
 * The computer is not part of a domain.
 * All of the user programs have been preinstalled and are functioning correctly.

NOTE: You can use the procedure described in this section to customize any aspect of a client computer's desktop settings if these settings are stored in the user's profile. For example, you can use this procedure to configure the Auto-hide the taskbar option and the Show small icons in the Start menu option for all users. You cannot use this procedure to customize settings that are stored outside a user's profile.

Use the following procedures to deploy customized power options settings for all new users.

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Create a Test User with Administrative Rights

 * 1) Log on to the computer as the local administrator.
 * 2) Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.

NOTE: The Local Users and Groups tool in the Computer Management console is disabled if Active Directory is installed. If you are carrying out this procedure from a domain controller computer with Active Directory, you have to create the new user account through Active Directory Users and Computers.
 * 1) Click Local Users and Groups, right-click Users, and then click New User.
 * 2) Type Testuser in the User name box, type a password, click to clear the User must change password at next logon check box, and then click Create.
 * 3) Close the New User dialog box.
 * 4) In Local Users and Groups, click Groups, double-click Administrators, and then click Add.
 * 5) Type Testuser, and then click OK.
 * 6) Click OK to close the Administrators Properties dialog box.
 * 7) Close the Computer Management console.

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Create Custom Settings for the Test User

 * 1) Log on to the computer as Testuser.
 * 2) Click Start, point to Control Panel, and then click Power Options.
 * 3) Enter the settings for the Monitor, Hard disks, Standby, and Hibernate options that you want to use as the default settings for all users.NOTE: You can make other customizations as you see fit. These particular settings are used only as an example.

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Copy the Test User's Profile Folder to the Default User Profile Folder

 * 1) Log off the Testuser account, and then log on again as an administrator.
 * 2) Right-click Start, and then click Explore to start Windows Explorer.
 * 3) On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
 * 4) In the Advanced Settings box, click to select the Show hidden files and folders check box.
 * 5) Quit Windows Explorer.
 * 6) Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
 * 7) Click the Advanced tab, and then in the User Profiles section, click Settings.
 * 8) Click the Testuser account, and then click Copy To.
 * 9) Type c:\documents and settings\default user in the Path box, or click Browse to locate the Default User folder.
 * 10) In the Permitted to use section, click Change.
 * 11) Type Everyone, and then click OK.
 * 12) Click OK in the Copy To dialog box, and then click Yes to confirm the action.
 * 13) Click OK to close the User Profile dialog box.
 * 14) Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
 * 15) Click Local Users and Groups, click Users, click the Testuser account, and then delete it.
 * 16) Close the Computer Management console.
 * 17) Start the Sysprep process when you are ready.

After you complete this procedure, the new customized power option settings are applied when a new user account is created.

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Additional query words: kbStorageDev sysprep;profiles;default user;customized

Keywords: kbhowtomaster kbenv kbmgmtservices KB325858

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