NOTES:

∙When entering the path to the target directory, you can use universal naming convention (UNC) names. However, if you are going to use the Browse function to locate the target directory for the profile, it is important that you first map a drive to the \\server\share where the profile will be stored.

∙The mydomainuser name shown in Step 2 does not have to be the user’s name. Many user accounts or groups can be configured to point to the same profile. Because this is a mandatory profile, this may be the desired use of the profile since the administrator wants all the users in the group to re- ceive the same settings.

∙The profile does not need to be stored one directory below the \\server\share. The profile can be nested several directories below, or the profile path can be local.

∙If the profile path points to a directory on the local machine, a share is not needed.

∙The variable %USERNAME% is replaced by the user name only once in the User Profile path, in User Manager, and it must be the last subdirectory in the path. However, extensions can still be added, such as .usr or .man.

∙The %LOGONSERVER% variable can be used for mandatory profiles to provide fault tolerance. Do not place double slashes ( \\) in front of %LOGONSERVER%; doing so will prevent the variable from being read properly. See Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q141714 for more information.

∙You can use the TemplateUser account to test changes before making them available to users by copying the adjusted profile directory to test accounts prior to rollout.

∙You can select any group or a specific user when setting the permissions. However, only the user or group specified will be able to use the profile. For this reason, it is recommended that the Everyone group be given permission to use template profiles.

Making a Roaming Profile Mandatory in

Windows NT 4.0

You have two options when configuring a mandatory roaming profile: you can change the user’s ability to modify the User Profile, or you can change the user’s ability to modify the User Profile and enforce the use of the server- based profile at logon. With the second option, the user is not able to log on to the system if the network profile is unavailable. Each of these procedures will be explained more fully below.

Changing the User’s Ability to Modify a Profile

When creating a User Profile or at any time thereafter, you have the option of enforcing whether or not the user can modify the profile by changing the ex- tension on the NTuser.dat file. The NTuser.dat file is located in the root of the user’s profile directory. If you change the name of this file to NTuser.man, when Windows NT reads the profile, it marks the profile as read-only, and any changes that the user makes while logged on are not written back to the server-based profile when he or she logs off.

To change the user’s ability to make modifications to the User Profile

1.Locate the user’s profile in the account’s User Profile path.

2.While the user is logged off, rename the NTuser.dat file to NTuser.man. (Note that if you make this change while the user is logged on, the user’s copy of the profile will overwrite your changes, because at the time the user logged on, he or she had permission to overwrite the profile.)

Microsoft Windows NT Server White Paper

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Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Making a Roaming Profile Mandatory Windows NT, Changing the User’s Ability to Modify a Profile
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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.
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