Roaming profiles ensure that users can access their personal
settings no matter what machine they log on to. But these profiles can grow
over time and consequently make logons very slow.

However, you can use Windows NT’s ExcludeProfileDirs
registry setting to exclude certain directories from replication, which can
help control the size of user profiles. Follow these steps:

  1. Start
    the Registry Editor. (Go to Start | Run, and type regedt32.exe.)
  2. Navigate
    to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
  3. From
    the Edit menu, select New | String Value.
  4. Enter ExcludeProfileDirs, and press
    [Enter].
  5. Double-click
    the new value, and enter the relevant areas to exclude, separating them by
    semicolons (for example, Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook;
    Temporary Internet Files; Personal).
  6. Close
    the Registry Editor, and restart the system.

You can also exclude certain directories from roaming
profiles by creating a system policy. Follow these steps:

  1. Start
    the System Policy Editor, and load the Common.adm and Winnt.adm templates.
  2. Create
    a new policy.
  3. Double-click
    Default User.
  4. Expand
    Windows NT User Profiles.
  5. Select
    Exclude Directories In Roaming Profile.
  6. In the
    data box, enter the names of the directories you want to exclude.

Note: Editing the
registry is risky, so be sure you have a verified backup before making any
changes.

Subscribe to the Microsoft Weekly Newsletter

Be your company's Microsoft insider by reading these Windows and Office tips, tricks, and cheat sheets. Delivered Mondays and Wednesdays

Subscribe to the Microsoft Weekly Newsletter

Be your company's Microsoft insider by reading these Windows and Office tips, tricks, and cheat sheets. Delivered Mondays and Wednesdays