Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 manual Creating Profiles Without User-Specific Connections

Page 40

If a profile has permissions that differ from those needed by the user (for example, if the profile was created for a user on a different domain), the profile permissions must be changed to function correctly. As an example, suppose you have a Windows NT-based workstation that you would like to have join the domain, but you want the user to be able to retain his or her profile settings. The Windows NT-based workstation is currently a part of the WORKER work- group and will be joining the domain BIGDOMAIN.

To change the profile:

1.Log on to the computer as an administrator, and create a local account that will be used only temporarily to house the profile during the conver- sion process.

2.Log on as a temporary user and immediately log off. This will create a subdirectory underneath the %systemroot%\Profiles directory with the name of the account that logged on.

3.Log back on as an administrator, and configure the workstation to join the domain.

4.After the workstation has joined the domain, reboot the computer.

5.After the machine restarts, log on as the user from the domain that will need the converted profile, and then log off. This sets up the directory structure needed to complete the conversion process.

6.Log back on as an administrator, and copy the profile structure, including the NTuser.xxx file and all subdirectories, from the directory that stored the workgroup user’s profile to the subdirectory created for the temporary user in Step 2.

7.From the Control Panel, click System.

8.On the User Profiles property page, select the temporary user profile, and click Copy To. Browse under %systemroot%\Profiles to locate the subdi- rectory that contains the profile for the domain user that logged on in Step 5. Click OK and then click the Change button for the permissions.

9.Select the domain user who will use the profile. Click OK to copy the profile.

10.Log off and log on as the domain user. The profile settings should now be available to that user.

NOTE: Alternatively, you can copy the profile and use the instructions from the section “Encoding Per- missions in the User Profile” to change the permissions. However, this requires that you manually edit the registry.

Creating Profiles Without User-Specific Connections

In some cases, you may want to create profiles that include preconfigured per- sistent connections. However, if you need to supply alternate credentials when you create the template profile, this can cause problems for users later when the profile is used.

Information about persistent connections is stored in the registry location HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Network. This key has subkeys that list the persis- tent drive connections by drive letter. For each of these subkeys, there is a value of UserName. If alternate credentials must be supplied to make the con-

32 Microsoft Windows NT Server White Paper

Page 39 Page 41
Image 40
Page 39 Page 41
Contents Server Operating System Page User environment than they have ever had before AbstractWindows NT 4.0 documentation and Resource Kits Page Contents System Policy An Introduction System Policy EditorPage For More Information Appendix a -Flowcharts User Profile Flowcharts System Policy FlowchartAutorun Start Banner Appendix C Usage NotesIntroduction Profiles, Policies, and the Zero Administration KitTCO and the User What are User Profiles and System Policies? Before You Begin32-bit version of the Registry Editor Key TerminologyTechnical Notes ComputerEstablishing User Profiles AN Overview Creating and Administering User ProfilesUser Profile Structure Configuration Preferences Stored in the Registry Hive Configuration Preferences Stored in Profile DirectoriesWindows NT 4.0 and Windows User Profile Differences Windows NT 4.0 fileList, is checked for an existing entry for that user Equivalent Windows 95 fileSetting Permissions for User Profiles User Profile Planning and ImplementationEncoding Permissions in the User Profile Selecting a Location to Save User ProfilesSetting Persistent Connections Delete the network connection and reconnect Working Around Slow Network LinksCreating a New Roaming User Profile for Windows NT Creating and Maintaining User ProfilesTo create a new roaming user profile Microsoft Windows NT Server White Paper ∙ To copy an existing user’s profile to another user Copy the profile appropriate to your implementation∙ To copy a template profile manually to a number of users Creating a New Mandatory User Profile for Windows NT To create a new mandatory User ProfileCalled TemplateUser Making a Roaming Profile Mandatory Windows NT Changing the User’s Ability to Modify a ProfileEnforcing the Use of the Server-based Profile Creating a New Roaming User Profile for a Windows 95 User To create a roaming user profile for a Windows 95 userCreating a New Mandatory User Profile for Windows To create a mandatory user profile for a Windows 95 userDeleting Profiles \\computername DdaysDetermining Which Profile Is Displayed Copying Profiles Microsoft Windows NT Server White Paper Log Files Used by Profiles All Users Shared ProfileDefault User Template Profiles Profile Names and Storage in the RegistryManually Administering a User Profile through the Registry To manually customize a User ProfileModifying the Default User Profile Microsoft Windows NT Server White Paper To create a mandatory profile from the old profile To create the profile from an existing template profileCreating Profiles Without User-Specific Connections To change the profileTo enable logging Troubleshooting User Profiles with the UserEnv.log FileStart REGEDT32 and locate the following path Sample Log =========================================================System Policy AN Introduction System Policy FilesHow Policies Are Applied Policy ReplicationThis change must be made individually to each workstation Additional Implementation Considerations Microsoft Windows NT Server White Paper Installing the System Policy Editor on a Windows 95 Computer System Policy EditorUpdating the Registry with the System Policy Editor System Policy Editor Template .Adm FilesConfiguring Policy Settings Your Own Custom .Adm File,later in this documentSetting Folder Paths Back to Defaults To restore the defaultsCreating a System Policy To create a new System PolicyTem Policy Editor Setting Up Shortcuts for Server-based Profiles Creating Alternate Folder PathsTo create shared folders and alternate folder paths To resolve links correctlyDeploying Policies for Windows NT 4.0 Machines To retrieve the policy file from a specific locationDeploying Policies for Windows 95 Machines Update mode box, select Manual use specific pathTo deploy policies for a Windows 95-based computer To change policy settings remotely Modifying Policy Settings on Stand-Alone WorkstationsTo create a policy file for stand-alone workstations Creating a Custom .Adm File To change policy settings locallyTo create a custom .adm file These can be nested to create sub-categories as follows Would useRemember that the Valuename needs to be within a Part if END Part ∙ MAXLEN- Specifies the maximum length of text, for example Type REGEXPANDSZ, for exampleSave and test your file Configuring System Policies Based on Geographic Location Building Fault Tolerance for Custom Shared FoldersClearing the Documents Available List Each time the System Policy Editor startsMicrosoft Windows NT Server White Paper Default User Settings Selection Remove Run command from Start menu Description Selection Color scheme KeySelection Remove Find command from Start menu Description Selection Hide Network Neighborhood Description Selection Hide drives in My Computer DescriptionSelection No Entire Network in Network Neighborhood Key Selection No workgroup contents in Network Neighborhood Key Selection Hide all items on desktop DescriptionSelection Disable Shut Down command Description Selection Dont save settings at Exit DescriptionSelectionDisable registry editing tools Category SystemSelection Run only allowed Windows applications Description Selection Custom Program folder Description Selection Custom desktop icons DescriptionSelection Custom Startup folder Description Selection Hide Start menu subfolders DescriptionSelection Custom Network Neighborhood Description \CurrentVersion \Explorer \User Shell Folders Selection Custom Start menu DescriptionAs part of the Start menu Selection Only use approved shell extensions KeySelection Remove File menu from Explorer Description Selection Disable context menus for the Taskbar DescriptionSelection Work Drive options Selection Disable link file tracking Description Selection Run logon scripts synchronously DescriptionSelection Disable Task Manager Description Selection Show welcome tips at logon DescriptionDefault Computer Settings Selection Remote update Description\Explorer \TipsSelection Permitted managers Key Selection Run Description Selection Create hidden drive shares server Description Selection Scheduler priority KeySelection Beep for error enabled Description Error occurs on a print serverCategoryWindows NT Remote Access SelectionMax number of unsuccessful authentication retriesSelectionWait interval for callback SelectionAuto disconnectRAS Call-back Interval RAS Auto-disconnectCustom shared folders Selection Custom shared Programs folder DescriptionStart menu Selection Custom shared desktop icons DescriptionSelection Custom shared Startup folder Description Selection Custom shared Start menu DescriptionSelection Logon banner Enables or disables display of the last logged on user With textDialog window Logon dialog is displayedTion, this value takes precedence File system\System \CurrentControlSet \Control \FileSystem Selection Allow extended characters in 8.3 file namesLast access time. This increases the file system’s PerformanceCategoryWindows NT User Profiles SelectionDelete cached copies of roaming profilesSelectionTimeout for dialog boxes SelectionSlow network connection timeoutSelectionAutomatically detect slow network connections Registry Value Registry Data Description Registry Entries not Included in the System Policy Editor Registry Value Registry Data Description NoStartBanner For More Information Appendix a Flowcharts User Profile FlowchartsWill the user be mandated to receive the profile for logon? Available? See Apply System Policy Save settings to Registry Call made to check Check for .man extension Server profile System Policy Flowchart Do Group PoliciesAppendix B Implementing User Profiles Existing Windows NT 3.5x Roaming ProfileCreating a New Windows NT 4.0 Roaming Profile Creating a New Windows NT 4.0 Mandatory ProfileChanging a Roaming Profile to a Mandatory Profile Recent Updates to Profiles Since Retail Release Appendix C Usage NotesRecent Updates to Policies Since Retail Release Profiles Appendix D Related Knowledge Base ArticlesPolicies Q156432

Windows NT 4.0 specifications

Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, released on July 29, 1996, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of Microsoft's operating systems. As the successor to Windows NT 3.51, this version brought a range of enhancements and features that appealed to both enterprise users and consumers.

One of the standout characteristics of Windows NT 4.0 was its introduction of the Windows 95 user interface, which significantly improved user experience and accessibility. This graphical interface made it easier for users to navigate the operating system, transitioning from the more complex interfaces of previous NT versions. The integration of familiar elements such as the Start menu and taskbar helped bridge the gap between professional and personal computing environments.

Windows NT 4.0 was built on a robust and secure architecture. It utilized the NT kernel, which provided improved multitasking and stability compared to its predecessors. This operating system was designed to handle multiple user sessions simultaneously, making it suitable for servers as well as workstations. The inherent stability of NT 4.0 made it a favorite in enterprise environments, particularly for critical applications and systems.

Another defining feature of NT 4.0 was its support for a wide range of hardware, making it versatile across various machine configurations. It included compatibility with numerous devices and peripherals, which facilitated its adoption in diverse settings.

In addition to user interface enhancements and hardware compatibility, Windows NT 4.0 introduced powerful networking capabilities. The operating system supported TCP/IP natively, alongside NetBEUI and IPX/SPX protocols. This meant that it could seamlessly integrate into existing network environments, providing essential services for file and printer sharing, domain management, and remote access through features like Remote Access Service (RAS).

Security was another key focus area for Windows NT 4.0. Built around security principles, it employed a discretionary access control system, allowing administrators to define user permissions and manage access to resources effectively. This was particularly appealing to businesses that needed to enforce strict security policies.

Windows NT 4.0 also included improved support for backup and recovery, through the inclusion of the NT Backup utility. The operating system allowed for the creation of scheduled backups and simplified data recovery processes, enhancing data integrity and reliability.

As NT 4.0 entered its later years, it laid the groundwork for future Windows operating systems, influencing the design of later versions, particularly Windows 2000. It combined user-friendly features with enterprise-level robustness, ultimately shaping expectations for modern operating systems across various industries.
Top Page Image Contents