How can I delete and disable user profiles in WinXP PRO?(if possib

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Guest

Hello,

I run WinXP Pro on my home PC and I am the only person who uses or even
touches this machine. I would like to know if there is any way to
disable/delete user profiles. I would like to get rid of all user profiles,
user groups, etc... so that when I logon I see one instance of all folders
(i.e. My documents, My Music, My Pictures, etc...). I will still have two
different accounts for myself, the Administrator acct. and a Power User acct.
since I generally don't like to work online in the Administrator account. I
want the same profile and folders and files to be displayed for either
account. I want to get rid of those other folders like "all users", "NT
user" and all of that other user group junk that I don't use and don't need.
If anyone knows how I can do this or if it is even possible in XP PRO please
share this info with me so my stress level can be greatly reduced! I just
installed a new hard drive so I want to do this before I get it loaded up
with a bunch of B.S. while it is still fresh.

Thanks for your time,

oilfieldhottie
 
oilfieldhottie said:
Hello,

I run WinXP Pro on my home PC and I am the only person who uses or
even
touches this machine. I would like to know if there is any way to
disable/delete user profiles. I would like to get rid of all user
profiles, user groups, etc... so that when I logon I see one instance
of all folders
(i.e. My documents, My Music, My Pictures, etc...). I will still have
two different accounts for myself, the Administrator acct. and a Power
User acct.
since I generally don't like to work online in the Administrator
account. I want the same profile and folders and files to be
displayed for either
account. I want to get rid of those other folders like "all users",
"NT user" and all of that other user group junk that I don't use and
don't need. If anyone knows how I can do this or if it is even
possible in XP PRO please
share this info with me so my stress level can be greatly reduced! I
just installed a new hard drive so I want to do this before I get it
loaded up with a bunch of B.S. while it is still fresh.
Click to expand...

No. This is the way the operating system was written. It is the way
grownup operating systems are made. Grownup operating systems are
designed for scalability and multiple users. Unless you are digging
around in Documents and Settings, you won't see the other accounts
anyway. Leave the system folders alone.

Malke
 
All users, etc are used by the operating system. The only profiles that you
can manage are the ones seen in Control Panel/System/advanced - user
profiles settings. You can also copy a user profile there to another user
account though you need to logon as an administrator. The link below
explains more on copying user profiles and you will want to make sure that
you give the user permissions in the permitted to use box. You can not copy
to or from your profile while you are logged on. --- Steve

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...ll/proddocs/en-us/sysdm_userprofile_copy.mspx
 
oilfieldhottie said:
I run WinXP Pro on my home PC and I am the only person who uses or
even touches this machine. I would like to know if there is any way
to disable/delete user profiles. I would like to get rid of all user
profiles, user groups, etc... so that when I logon I see one instance
of all folders (i.e. My documents, My Music, My Pictures, etc...). I
will still have two different accounts for myself, the Administrator
acct. and a Power User acct. since I generally don't like to work
online in the Administrator account. I want the same profile and
folders and files to be displayed for either account. I want to get
rid of those other folders like "all users", "NT user" and all of
that other user group junk that I don't use and don't need. If anyone
knows how I can do this or if it is even possible in XP PRO please
share this info with me so my stress level can be greatly reduced!
I just installed a new hard drive so I want to do this before I get
it loaded up with a bunch of B.S. while it is still fresh.
Click to expand...

Short answer: No.
Longer Answer:

Windows XP is a multi-user OS, even when used by one person only, the
fundamentals don't change.

Documents and Settings is the directory that contains your user
information/documents/etc. It also contains a few extra directories used by
Windows.

One is "Default User" - This is used whenever a new account is created. It
bases the initial setup of that account off this directory.

Another is "All Users" - This is used by.. all users. If you want something
to appear on the desktop of every user of the machine, you put it on this
users desktop (in the desktop folder.) Etc.

You may also see "Administrator" - depending on your setup, this is the
original administrator user and if you know that account's password, you
should leave him alone and use him only in an emergency.

You could also (if you have it where you can see ALL files) see
"LocalService" and "NetworkService" folders. These are service accounts,
normally unused by the standard user.

How To Create a Custom Default User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319974

HOW TO: Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279783

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and
Folders in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308419

Doug's Windows XP Security Console
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
 
I'm not sure what you mean by "grownup" operating systems but scalability
goes both ways, up or down. If you can make it larger than you should also
be able to make it smaller. You see all of these other accounts anytime you
open folder list or the system tree and when working in Computer Management
not just when you are "digging around" in Documents and Settings". I'm sure
there is some way to do this, maybe something you are not aware of.

oilfieldhottie
 
Dear Shenan (cool name!),

Thanks for the info and the good links. What can you tell me about
Assigning a Mandatory Profile in XP? Would this help my situation?

oilfieldhottie
 
Dear Steve,

Thanks for the input! I have been researching this and I know what you are
talking about. The profile I want to use is on my Administrator account so I
would want to logon with my alt Administrator acct. and copy the profile from
my Adm. acct. to my Power user account. Then I want to set permissions to
"everyone"; is this correct? Also, what about Assining a Mandatory User
Profile? I was considering that too but am very cautious about trying it.

oilfieldhottie
 
When you set the permissions give only the user that will be using that
profile permissions to it. I don't think a mandatory profile would be
something you need or want. They are mostly used in enterprises where they
want to force a profile on a user and any changes made will not be saved at
logoff. Also I would not use an account in the power users group to browse
the internet, etc. Just use a regular user account for that. A power user
has the ability to write to the system and program files folder while a
regular user does not. --- Steve

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxpsp2/Default.mspx
--- Protect Your PC tips from Microsoft.
 
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