1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Combining user info?

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by RASelkirk, 2003/05/20.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. 2003/05/20
    RASelkirk

    RASelkirk Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2003/01/01
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi All,

    I have a single user XP Pro installation. Is there a safe and/or easy way to combine the information from my usual acct "Admin" with the "all users" and "current user" acct's? Somehow, XP has decided that programs recently installed are for ONE of these users, not ALL. Specifically, I'd like one common (classic) start menu, one common docs folder, etc.

    TIA!

    Russ
     
    RASelkirk,
    #1
  2. 2003/05/20
    Newt

    Newt Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    10,974
    Likes Received:
    2
    No easy or safe way to combine the accounts. And certainly not safe to remove the ones you mentioned.

    Many apps (and especially including MS Office suite and the other major office suites) will allow you to specify the folder you want to store docs in. You can create one and point the storage option to it. Lots of others have the same feature either as part of the properties/setup/whatever or else a registry entry that you can change. Not necessary to have any apps using the "my documents" folder that is part of your user profile. But you do need to keep that folder around - no matter if you use it or not.

    If you are logging on with an admin account, you can certainly run any and all apps installed on your PC. Give specifics and it should be dead easy to fix.

    You can certainly set your logon account to use a classic start menu and that's the only one you should ever see if you logon to that account.
     
    Newt,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2003/05/21
    RASelkirk

    RASelkirk Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2003/01/01
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    That's a shame, it's VERY confusing as is. For example, I have 9 programs running at startup: 3 from "Registry\Common\Run ", 1 from "Registry\User\Run ", 2 from "StartMenu\Common ", and 3 from "StartMenu\User "! If I want to alter any of these, I have to hunt all over for their location. Then, my docs are scattered in several directories, as are favorites, and toolbars. Surely, there's a method of sorting out this mess!

    Russ
     
    RASelkirk,
    #3
  5. 2003/05/21
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Russ,

    Take a look at Startup Control Panel

    This little applet allows you to control which programs start at startup. New programs can be added by right clicking a blank area of the pane.

    Seems to me that you could use this to ensure that all your 9 programs are in the Startup (common) section.
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2003/05/21
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

    Joined:
    2002/12/17
    Messages:
    6,585
    Likes Received:
    74
    Newt,
    now You´re making me worried!

    I have installed Windows XP Pro, set up for a single user = administrator, a couple of times on partitioned hard drives.
    I moved the following folders; My documents, Favorites, Address book and E-mail storage, to the D partition and left nothing at the original locations.
    I checked the registry to see if it reflected the changes and in one case, the Address book, did I have to manually edit the key value.
    It works so far but so far is not everafter ......

    Russ,
    on these systems, in C:\Documents and Settings, there are five sub-folders; All users, Default user, LocalService, NetworkService and "specific user name ".
    Almost nothing has happened in folders other than those under the "specific user name ".
    All documents end up in the correct folder and so does the favorites, address book and E-mails. All applications default to the correct location, as changed by me.

    There are a lot of Cookies and TIF folders in the five sub-folders but all Cookies and Temporary Internet Files end up in the correct location, in the folders under "specific user name ". I haven´t changed the location of these folders.

    I made the changes to the four specified locations immediately after Windows XP Pro had been installed, before any other application was installed. I don´t know if that´s significant but it´s the way I did it.

    Regards,
    Christer
     
    Last edited: 2003/05/21
    Christer,
    #5
  7. 2003/05/21
    RASelkirk

    RASelkirk Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2003/01/01
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    Well, I'm getting a new laptop today, so when I reformat it and install XP (I always do this!), I'll experiment with merging the folders into one account before loading my programs...

    Russ
     
    RASelkirk,
    #6
  8. 2003/05/21
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

    Joined:
    2002/12/17
    Messages:
    6,585
    Likes Received:
    74
    Russ,
    I hope that You´ll share Your findings with us!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #7
  9. 2003/06/17
    RASelkirk

    RASelkirk Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2003/01/01
    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    0
    I know it's been awhile, but here are my findings:

    So far, I have just one account (administrator) and guest is disabled. I've consolidated all of my "info" (stuff under "C:\Documents and Settings ") into the administrator account and deleted averything else except "All Users.WINDOWS ", "LocalService.NT AUTHORITY ", and "NetworkService.NT AUTHORITY ". In the process of gutting the All Users account, I've found there are several folders and files that cannot be deleted, so that's why I'm left with the "All Users" folder, otherwise I'd be down to three...

    Sorry, Newt - I know I'm pi$$in ya off with this, but I'm an old hardhead refugee from Win'98 and don't like an INTRUSIVE operating system at all!

    Russ
     
    RASelkirk,
    #8
  10. 2003/06/17
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

    Joined:
    2002/12/17
    Messages:
    6,585
    Likes Received:
    74
    Hi Russ,
    thanks for the information!

    Keep us posted if or when it starts smoking ...... :rolleyes: ......

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #9
  11. 2003/06/17
    Newt

    Newt Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    10,974
    Likes Received:
    2
    Russ, it don't bother me a particle. Your stuff so have fun with it. And sounds like it's working. So far, so good as the saying goes.

    However, I do absolutely reserve the right to say "I told you so " if things go bad at some point. Not that I'd enjoy that (much) but I'd probably do it anyway and feel just terrible about it. :D
     
    Newt,
    #10
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...