W2K Default "Application Data" Path

[Eagle37]

Hi there

We have recently begun migrating our PC's from W98 to W2K Professional (initially SP2, now adding SP3). We do a fresh build on each different model of PC, then use Symantec Ghost for cloning. On some builds, the *shared* "Application Data" folders are placed under "All Users" (which seems more correct to me), while on others they're under "Default User" (causing some problems).

1st example is Norton AntiVirus virus definition updates, kept in "Application Data\Symantec\Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition\7.5". Although this tree exists in both "All Users" & "Default User", the new definitions are dropped into only one or the other (Symantec say it should be under "All Users&quot. Not really a problem, only the question of where to drop the GRC.DAT to change managing servers, as this varies between builds.

2nd example is "Downloader\qmgr0.dat", kept in "Application Data\Microsoft\Network". Since qmgr0.dat is always in use by "Background Intelligent Transfer Service", it disallows new user logon if this file is kept under "Default User", as the profile cannot be copied while any files within it are in use - big problem!

I had come across the 1st example earlier, but didn't worry about it. I have only just encountered the 2nd example (perhaps SP3 or one of the later Windows patches has altered the configuration of BITS?). I've tried stopping the BITS service then moving the Downloader folder, but as soon as BITS is restarted it recreates the folder & qmgr*.dat files back in their original position.

My question is, how do I change the path for shared application data from "Default User" to "All Users"?

Thanks & regards,
Alistair Quirey

 

[PAndersen]

The APPDATA environment variable should point to
C:\documents and settings\<user>\application data
Default user is only a template for new users.

 

[Eagle37]

Finally found the answer myself - hiding in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
Common AppData = C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Application Data

Change the above value from &quot;Default User&quot; to &quot;All Users&quot; (& hope that this works without fouling up the apps that were already using the incorrect folder). Who knows how this change occurred - the other keys still point to &quot;All Users&quot;, only the &quot;Common AppData&quot; was different.

One more registry key to change:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
Common AppData = %SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\Default User\Application Data

Change this to %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data
(to match the rest of the keys in this branch).

Hopefully this solves the problem...

Yes! NAV now places its log files under &quot;All Users&quot; instead of &quot;Default User&quot;, & qmgr0.dat & qmgr1.dat are now &quot;in use&quot; (cannot be deleted due to sharing violation) under &quot;All Users&quot;, while I have happily deleted them from under &quot;Default User&quot;.

Thank you for the forum. Maybe this will help somebody else out there?
Cheers,
Alistair