Is it possible to convert domain users to local users?

[Stu666]

Hi I am wondering if it is possible to convert domain user profiles to local profiles? I have come across a small business with a suspected pirate version of Windows 2003 acting as their authentication server. The managing director wants it off immediately and to be honest it is overkill for their purposes anyway. I am planning on turning the network into a plain old peer-to-peer setup with purely XP clients. How do I speedily convert the existing domain profiles to local profiles so that I don't have to go moving files and re-installing applications?

 

[Csukardi151]

Profiles are stored on the local computers (being that they are not roaming profiles). You will find them in the folder

c:\Documents and Settings\*username*

There are 2 ways you can go about this. Using Microsofts build in User Profile copy tool. Or, manually copy the folders from (domain profile) C:\Documents and Settings\User1 to the local profile C:\Documents and Settings\User2

Of course, you will have to identify what profile they are using now as they are on the domain and what profile they will be using when they are logged in locally. Easiest way to do that is to navigate to the C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop folder and create a random document in that folder, it should then appear on the desktop, if it did appear, that means that the folder you are in is linked to the profile you are currently logged into on the computer.

If you want to use Microsofts profile copier. Right click My Computer, select Properties, selected the Advanced tab and click Settings under User Profiles.

I hope thats the answer you were looking for. Sorry if that came out confusing

 

[Stu666]

Thanks for the reply Csukardi151, this is just the kind of solution I have been looking for. It makes sense to me now you say it, but one thing that does make me wonder is what happens to the data already in the profile being transferred to? Does this get overwritten?

Can this same method be used to transfer profiles to different machines without impacting system stability?

 

[Csukardi151]

Yes, the profile you will put copying the folders into will be over written, it would be a good idea to rename the profile folder to username.old or copy it to another location on the hard drive.

You can transfer profiles to other machines, but just remember that copying the profile is limited to its use. All you really are copying over are the users desktop icons, start menu, IE favorites, ect. Doing this does not copy over applications that may not be installed on one computer.

 

[ncolsgk]

From a XP MVP source:

I think the easiest way to do what you want is to create a new local
account, logon/logoff that account, then logon to an admin account and
copy the domain profile over the new account local profile, using the
User Profiles tool on the system control panel.

 

[Stu666]

Thank you both for the responses. I have today followed you advice to the letter and transferred profiles on about 7 machines. Everything went flawlessly and I'm very pleased with the results.