CREATING AND MAINTAINING USER PROFILES

Creating a New Roaming User Profile for

Windows NT 4.0

To create a new roaming User Profile, you must first determine where the user’s profile will be stored. You then must create a user account (if one doesn’t already exist), and specify a User Profile path. Finally, you must spec- ify whether a given user will use a specific profile or can use a default profile. These procedures are described below.

To create a new roaming user profile:

1.If a location has not already been prepared, create a directory on the server and establish a network share. Give the user a minimum of Change permissions to the shared directory. (For more information on planning for this type of user, read the sections “Selecting a Location to Save User Profiles”and “Setting Permissions for User Profiles”earlier in this docu- ment.) If your implementation stores user profiles within users’home directories, make the profile directory a subdirectory of the user’s home di- rectory. (Note that this approach precludes the use of the %USERNAME% variable.) To prevent the share from being browsable, append “$”to the share name.

2.If this will be a domain user or if this will be a local account for a Windows NT Server-based machine, use User Manager for Domains to create the account. If this will be a Windows NT 4.0 Workstation account, use the version of User Manager included in the Administrative Tools pro- gram group. Refer to your operating system documentation and online Help for procedures when using these tools. (Note that for this example, the user account is mydomainuser.)

3.Enter the User Profile path. This is the location where the User Profile will be stored, for example: \\myserver\myshare\mydomainuser.

Or, if the profile is being stored within the user’s home directory, use: \\myserver\myshare\MyUsersHomeDir\profile.

4.If the user is to receive the Default User profile from the workstation where he or she will interactively log on, no further administration is required.

If the user’s profile will be a copy of an existing user profile, refer to

Step 9. Otherwise, use User Manager to create an account for establish- ing a template profile. So that you can easily identify this account, we recommend that it be called TemplateUser.

5.Using the template account (TemplateUser), log on to the local machine or domain. A new directory with the same name as the user name created in Step 4 will be created in the %systemroot%\Profiles directory when you first log on. For example, if the user name is TemplateUser, the resulting directory name will be %systemroot%\Profiles\TemplateUser.

6.Modify any items that need to differ from the current default (for example, you may choose to modify the background color or bitmap, shortcuts on the desktop, and View options in My Computer).

7.Log off, and then log back on to the same computer using an account with administrative privileges.

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Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 manual Creating and Maintaining User Profiles, Creating a New Roaming User Profile for Windows NT

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.