A user profile in Windows encompasses the desktop,
application settings, and other folders that define the user’s working
environment. When a user logs on for the first time with an account, Windows
2000 automatically creates their profile in the \Documents and Settings\(user) folder, where (user) is the logon name.

If you wanted to copy a profile, you could simply copy
folders. However, Windows includes a feature specifically to help you copy user
profiles. To use this feature, right-click My Computer and choose
Properties. Then, click the User Profiles tab. This tab displays a list
of all of the user profiles stored on the computer.

To copy a profile, follow these steps:

  1. Click
    the profile and then click Copy To.
  2. In the
    resulting Copy To dialog box, click Browse to
    specify the location for the copy. (Make sure to include the new user name
    in the path.)
  3. Click
    Change if you need to change the list of users allowed to
    use the profile.
  4. Select
    the user and click OK, then click OK in the Copy To
    dialog box to begin the copy.
  5. Click
    OK to close the System Properties sheet when you have finished copying
    profiles.

When you copy a profile using the User Profiles tab, keep in
mind that Windows does not copy the hidden Local Settings folder in the
profile. This folder stores non-essential files, but can also store critical
files such as Outlook mail stores (PST files). If you need these files as part
of the destination profile, copy the Local Settings folder manually to the
target profile.

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