Migrate Local User Profile to Domain 1

[Lukin]

Does anyone have any tips for copying a local user profile to a domain profile?

I have a number of users (all on XP) with local user profiles (Desktop, My Documents, Favourites, etc.). I have just set up a 2003 server and want to connect these users to the domain. When I do so and log in as the domain user a new folder is created in Documents and Settings for the domain user. Is there an easy way to copy the original, local user profile to the new domain user so that the Desktop, Favourites, etc are the same?

 

[markdmac]

Use the file and settings transfer wizard.

If you were on an SBS server it would migrate this for you. If you ARE on SBS, you probably are not joining the PCs tot he domain correctly. In SBS you must join the PCs to the domain using the web page

http://servername/connectcomputer.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Lukin]

Thanks Mark. I'm on Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Ed. I'll give the File & Settings Transfer Wizard a shot though.

 

[jocadmin]

Mark, I have SBS 2003 and I'm wondering why this web page to join the domain won't work for my remote computers connecting via vpn tunnel? They get an error about not being able to view this page.

I realize things get a tad more complicated when coming through a firewall or vpn tunnel but I'm always trying to improve remote administration and connections.

 

[markdmac]

Lukin, if youhave a lot of users you can script it with USMT as well. You can DL USMT from the Microsoft web site.

jocadmin, you probably need to specify the DNS server in your VPN connection.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Lukin]

Thanks again Mark. I've done some experimenting with USMT and that seems to do the trick.

Unfortunately, it copies a number of folders from the root of C: into the new user's My Documents folder, which slows down the process quite a lot. Any idea what could be causing this to happen?

 

[markdmac]

Take a look at the switches of USMT. By default it enables logging which in the next version (for Vista) was removed. If you turn that off it should go quickly.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark