[OPLINTECH] To use or not to use Roaming profiles

[Jim Kenzig]

Hi Jim
Windows 7 is a new beast compared to Windows XP when it comes to profiles.
The directories are changed around and also requirements where programs
are able to write to are changed.  The directory names have been changed
and additional folder like local, locallow, and Roaming have been added.

Any program that writes settings to the old local or new locallow folder
does not work properly using roaming profiles because those directories
will not roam with the users profile. And there are a lot of old programs
that still do this. These programs need to be set up in compatibility
mode.

The easiest way to do this is to use local profiles IF the user is only
going to be using that same workstation all the time. Otherwise they will
have a different profile on every workstation they access. It could get
pretty messy.

The other way to do it is to change the local default profile on all
machines to a mandatory local profile after you have copied all the
default settings from a user account you set up to it using the advance
settings/user profile settings tab under computer properties .

Lock down the machine using global/local security policy. You may need to
use a login script to set the Office default save directories. Set the
home folder in the users AD file should suffice though.

Then you could better use local profiles. Here is a Microsoft KB article
on it http://support.microsoft.com/kb/973289
You'll need to do some reading on it.

Regards,
Jim Kenzig

> Was curious to see how many people out there are using Roaming profiles
> for their staff computers.  We currently are using Windows XP on our staff
> computers and use Roaming profiles.  We are looking to upgrade to Windows
> 7 in the next few months and I'm debating on sticking with Roaming profile
> or abandoning them and just going with local profiles and some type of
> redirection for desktop and documents.  Pluses and minuses, advantages or
> disadvantages of roaming vs. local.  Your input would be appreciated.
>
> Thank You,
>
> Jim Lack
> Network Manager
> Rocky River Public Library
> 1600 Hampton Rd.
> Rocky River, OH  44116
> 440-333-7610 x3765
>
> _______________________________________________
> OPLINTECH mailing list
> OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org
> http://mail.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplintech
> Search: http://oplin.org/techsearch
>