Ntuser.dat Question

I understand that the NTUSER.DAT file is the user profile for the user's computer environment settings/preferences.

The file continues to grow however so what is it "recording "?

Is there a way to actually go in and be able read it and edit the material that is in it?

I can open it using notepad, but most of it is gibberish.

Thanks for your time

 

This is a registry file. Editing it can have disastrous consequences.

 

It will be tracking all changes to your user profile. Every time you change preferences, desktop settings, add software, remove software, etc., the changes will be written to Ntuser.dat for your account.

Unless it is causing you problems, leave it alone. The one for my main account is about 2.5Mb at this point but not causing any issues.

A defrag using the built-in app with XP should also take care of the various registry hives including that particular file.

And if you ever need to, log in as a different user and delete the one you have now (or rename it to something else so you can get it back). At next login as yourself, you will get a new, small, default copy but none of your personal preferences will be there. No printers, settings, etc.

And to reinforce what Abraxas said, any attempt to edit the thing will almost surely destroy it so you will need a fresh one and will have to configure your personal settings again.

 

THANKS Abraxas and Newt

Thanks for the info.

My big concern it was that it was another type of file doing what index.dat does as far as accumulating internet activity.

Again- thanks.

This Window BBS is still the best.