4

I am about to move some users off a domain to using stand-alone account, and I'd like to keep all the users settings (eg thunderbird cache/saved passwords etc).

Is it possible to export the settings from one profile and import them into a fresh one? Or alternatively, alter the Domain profile to become a Local profile?

3 Answers 3

1

You can do that with one caveat: Passwords will not be saved since they are encrypted.

  1. You would log in as the new local user, thereby creating a new profile.
  2. Then you want to reboot and log in as administrator. You reboot to release all files from memory, so they will not be in use when copied.
  3. Then you go to My computer>Properties>Advanced>User Profiles, and highlight the old domain user profile (usually the largest one), and click "Copy to". "Browse" to the C:\Documents and Settings\local user profile and click "Change" under "Permitted to use" and select the local user. Click OK.
7
  • Thanks, I will try that out. Is it the same procedure for XP and W7?
    – user84636
    Jun 6, 2011 at 14:45
  • Ahh Windows 7. There are two differences: One is the location has changed from \Documents and Settings to \Users. Second, when trying to copy the profile, the button is grayed out and has been disabled. I found the Windows enabler to get around that: bluemoonpcrepair.com/wp/?p=39 If this works for you, please come back and upvote and mark as answered. Thanks.
    – KCotreau
    Jun 7, 2011 at 0:06
  • Sorry for the long silence - I've now tried this but weirdly I don't get that greyed out button either in XP or W7. Perhaps this only works after leaving the domain, do you think?
    – user84636
    Dec 28, 2011 at 17:48
  • I'm am worried about leaving the domain in case I can't rejoin (with profiles intact) if it goes wrong...
    – user84636
    Dec 28, 2011 at 17:51
  • 1
    You can safely leave and join a domain with no loss of profile data assuming you do not delete the folders.
    – shufler
    Dec 28, 2011 at 18:04
1

Prompted by @LowvaPrg's answer I found a commercial tool which did exactly what I was looking for with an absolute minimum of fuss.

The tool is "User Profile Wizard 3.5" by ForensiT and can be found on their website here. There is a free version not intended for commercial use but I went for the Professional version - not for the extra features, but for business use.

0

the best way to do this is using the windows 7 User Profile Transfer Wizard, sense it copies all the settings and it has a nice user interface, just be patient is a bit slow.

3
  • Is that the same as "Windows Easy Transfer"? If so I was able to export a profile but not to choose the local profile when it came to reimport. Or do you mean this commercial tool (I am happy to use a paid-for solution if it works)?
    – user84636
    Dec 28, 2011 at 18:23
  • yes, is the same
    – LowvaPrg
    Dec 28, 2011 at 22:33
  • Which do you mean? Because if you mean the commercial tool I will accept your answer - it is ace.
    – user84636
    Jan 14, 2012 at 13:59

You must log in to answer this question.