How do I change the directory in which the system stores profiles?

John Savill

November 19, 2000

1 Min Read
ITPro Today logo in a gray background | ITPro Today

A. Windows NT 4.0 and earlier versions of NT store profiles in the %systemroot%Profiles folder. Windows 2000 stores profiles in %systemdrive%Documents and Settings, but the OS lets you specify a different location. To change the location, take the following steps:

  1. Create a new folder to host the profiles.

  2. Copy all existing profiles from the %systemdrive%Documents and Settings folder to the folder you just created. (Note: If you're copying from NTFS to NTFS, use the XCOPY command with the /o switch to maintain any ACLs on the files.)

  3. Launch regedit.exe, and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionProfileList.

  4. Double-click ProfilesDirectory.

  5. Enter the path to the new folder, and click OK.

You can change the profile Win2K uses for default users by modifying the DefaultUserProfile string value, and you can change the profile Win2K uses for all users by modifying AllUsersProfile.

About the Author

John Savill

John Savill

https://savilltech.net

See more from John Savill
Sign up for the ITPro Today newsletter
Stay on top of the IT universe with commentary, news analysis, how-to's, and tips delivered to your inbox daily.
Newsletter Sign-Up

You May Also Like

Editor's Choice

a stressed employee at their laptop and collaboration icons gone amok
Unified Communications
Microsoft Teams Is Acting Up. What Can We Do?Microsoft Teams Is Acting Up. What Can We Do?
byBrien Posey
Sep 12, 2024
4 Min Read
person placing a block between two columns of blocks
IT Management
Data Skills Gap Is Hampering Productivity; Is Upskilling the Answer?Data Skills Gap Is Hampering Productivity; Is Upskilling the Answer?
byNathan Eddy
Sep 7, 2024
7 Min Read
data privacy quiz sample question above a desk
Data Privacy
Data Privacy Quiz: 20 Questions To Test Your KnowledgeData Privacy Quiz: 20 Questions To Test Your Knowledge
byIan Horowitz
Aug 30, 2024
1 Min Read
Exclusive ITPro Resources
See all ITPro Resources

Featured How Tos

tablet with "cloud computing" on the screen on top of financial documents and calculator
Cloud Computing
Guide to Cloud Computing ETFsGuide to Cloud Computing ETFs
A cartoon of a person sitting at a computer, with speech bubbles—one from the person saying Hello and one from the computer responding with Hello
PowerShell
PowerShell Speech Recognition: How To Set up Voice Commands and ResponsesPowerShell Speech Recognition: Set up Voice Commands and Responses
Migrating From VMware Guide cover
VMWare
Migrating From VMware: Guide to a Successful TransitionMigrating From VMware: Guide to a Successful Transition
Sign up for the ITPro Today newsletter
Stay on top of the IT universe with commentary, news analysis, how-to's, and tips delivered to your inbox daily.
Newsletter Sign-Up
Trending

Recent What Is

list of domains within the umbrella category of IT security
IT Security
What Is IT Security? Essentials of IT Security ExplainedWhat Is IT Security? Essentials of IT Security Explained
ITPro Today's tech careers quick reference guide cover
Career Management
Tech Careers: Quick Reference Guide to IT Job TitlesTech Careers: Quick Reference Guide to IT Job Titles