multi-users need to use same desktop

[Richard Darling]

I have a W2K workstation on a SBS 4.5 and the user is retiring. How can I have her replacement share the same desktop as the retiree, but be logged in under the new user?
RD

[Sanjay_6]

Hi Richard,

Try the users settings under the control panel. I think there is an option over there that says if the users should have different desktop settings or all the users on that system should share the common settings.

Hope this helps.

Regds

[Ken Yankee]

Good tip. Also, you can manually copy all the shortcuts/files in the C:\Documents and Settings\(olduserid)\desktop to the new person's C:\Documents and Settings\(newuserid)\desktop using explorer.

Ken

[Richard Darling]

Hi Sanjay, There wasn't any setting there. Thanks anyways.

Hi Ken, I had already done that, but I had to reassign printers to the new user, had to reinstall TrendMicro anti-virus, and a few other issues. I was hoping that there would be an easier way.
Thanks.
RD

[JB_15]

Create the new user then log on to the Win2k machine as this user. Log off.

Reboot then log in as Administrator or someone with appropriate permissions.

Copy contents of ..\Documents and Settings\OldUser

to ..\Documents and Settings\NewUser

(Yes to all when asked to confirm file replace)

Log off then back on as new user.

Certain settings are not carried across such as folder view preferences, mail passwords etc)

There are easier ways of maintaining user settings such as roaming profiles, group policies and mandatory profiles. Write back if you need more help.

--
JB

[Richard Darling]

Hi Jb,
What you described is what I did, but I thought I had seen a simple step to have all users share the same desktop.

Since this is one of the few usrs I have on W2k (most are on W98), the roaming profiles & group policies wouldn't be helpful on a W98 box. Also, I don't want the W2K users on W98 boxes because the reason they are on W2K is to access our Payroll/HR functions, which won't run on W98 boxes.

Thanks.
RD

[Jon Finley · Accepted solution]

Sounds like you need to duplicate the old user's profile. MS has the steps here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q255095


Jon