Changing where XP creates NEW user profiles

[aroostook]

I'm trying to get XP SP3 to create user profiles for brand-new users on a different drive. I don't care about existing profiles. I don't need to move them. I just need all subsequent profiles on D:.

The only things I've found that relate to changing the default location are to either 1. use sysprep (not rolling out a new desktop, so this doesn't work), or 2. alter HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList...which only KIND OF works. I change the setting for the default user, and suddenly new users being created cannot log in unless I copy C:\Documents and Settings\Default User to D:. However, even after doing that, I've noticed that my existing user(s) cannot add or remove programs, or access other things in teh Control Panel (i.e., administrative tools). Double-clicking them (or right clicking and selecting Open) causes *nothing* to happen.

I've been able to do this before and make it work so that new profiles would be created on a different drive WITHOUT breaking existing profiles, but damned if I can find anyplace on the Internet that can give me a clear answer.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[goombawaho]

You have a valid question, but you should also state WHY you are trying to do this (your goal) so that we can get the big picture and maybe suggest a different method to accomplish your goal.

 

[aroostook]

Ok.

I'm locking down the C: drive with a program called Deep Freeze. This computer is for public use, and I'm trying to mitigate any potential damage to it from improper usage.

 

[DrB0b]

I suppose the Guest account is out of the question?

"You don't know what you got, till its gone..
80's hair band Cinderella or ode to data backups???

 

[goombawaho]

Microsoft Steady State is (was) made for this

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/6520/windows-steadystate/

You can still find it somewhere if you look.

 

[aroostook]

That would also work, but that's what I got Deep Freeze for. I just want it to lock the system partition (C. The D: drive I don't want restored to a previous state. Hence, why I want all new users created on the machine to automagically be created on the D: drive.

I know it can be done. I've done it before. I'm just damned if I can remember how, and the Googles don't help.

:-(

 

[goombawaho]

Yeah, I don't know how to do what you're trying to get done, but I can say that I'm utterly confused with how you have things set up and why you're trying to do it with a C: and a D:, but don't bother to explain it all I guess.