Looking for a few more registry tweaks (easy way to save desktop, expl

[elwood_]

@elwood: Can you post some information on how you've done your set up that would point us in the right direction?

Install a fresh copy of XP with SP2 and all your hotfixes slipstreamed. Do not run any reg tweaks or nlite tweaks that alter the UI (Desktop, taskbar, explorer, some IE) in any way.

Once installed configured your desktop with the icons you want and the way you want to arrange them. Set all the settings on the taskbar (this is the only way i've found to save auto-hide), set all your settings in explorer (it will remember each folders view setting), setup the way you want your start menu, it will remember default shortcuts that you delete.

Start explorer and customize it like you want it, toolbar, settings, homepage, etc..

This will also save the theme that you set. I've only tried this with the "WinXP Silver" theme, i havent tried custom ones.

After setting everything exactly the way you want it create a new account and completely log off of the current one you're on and on to the one you just created. Make sure you completely log out of the account you just customized or you wont be able to copy the file.

After logging into the account you just created and navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\*username and copy the NTUSER.DAT file from there, i usually install on vmware player so i normally save my NTUSER.DAT on my flash drive but you can save it anywhere, as long as you can get it to your "xpcd" folder. (* the name of this folder is the name of the account that you customized the UI on)

After saving the NTUSER.DAT place it in $OEM$\$Docs\Default User\ and it will copy it to your XP installation and will set all these settings for every and any account you ever create.

I find this alot easier and reliable than trying to set everything with reg keys.

The only problems i've had is with the Quick Launch folder being empty and not showing any shortcuts on it. To solve this, i copied my quick launch folder from a current install on my working system from "C:\Documents and Settings\*username\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch" then i put it in $OEM$\$Docs\Default User\ and that will copy it to your install and get quick launch going right.

My Documents also reverts back on top of My Computer no matter what but you can circumvent this with this registry tweak:

;my computer first
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}]
"SortOrderIndex"=dword:00000054

I believe that is it, if i forgot anything i'll edit with corrections. I hope i've explained it thoroughly enough that anyone can do this. If you have any questions, i'd be glad to try and answer them.

Just remember that i'm pretty new to this and i've only been working on my uXP CD for a few days now

Here's some info from MS http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechn...n/xpusrdat.mspx

Edited September 8, 2006 by elwood_

[PaulIA]

@elwood: Thanks for the step by step directions. I think this makes the whole thing clearer in my mind as to how this works. Also, the link to the Microsoft site filled in a lot of questions I had about NTUSER.DAT (and profiles in general). Definitely recommended reading for anybody looking into this subject.

Good job.

[mazin]

The point I'm afraid of is: Does NTUSER.DAT conatin absolute paths? Does it contain any info about other user accounts, machine, HWs, etc...?

Thanks for the very simple guide.

Still, I need answers to my questions.

[elwood_]

The point I'm afraid of is: Does NTUSER.DAT conatin absolute paths? Does it contain any info about other user accounts, machine, HWs, etc...?

Thanks for the very simple guide.

Still, I need answers to my questions.

Have you looked here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechn...n/xpusrdat.mspx ?

and here: http://search.microsoft.com/results.aspx?m...mp;q=ntuser.dat ?

[mazin]

Thanks. I got to read them.

[Takeshi]

If it works, fine.

I remember (if correctly) that was some discussion here (can't recall the topic right now) that copying a user profile to the default user profile might have potentital undesirable consequences. Something to do with default permissions.

Edited September 9, 2006 by Takeshi

[PaulIA]

After doing some research, I ran across an article on this forum (sorry, didn't save the URL) that talked about migrating the NTUSER.DAT file by exporting HKCU via the reg command instead of having to log onto another profile to copy the file.

Basically, if I remember right, the used something like this:

reg save HKCU HKCU.reg

on the machine they wanted to clone and then the loaded this (thereby replacing the current HKCU) during the UA install. Would this be any different than copying the NTUSER.DAT file?