Export local users and groups on Windows 2000

art-vandalayart-vandalay Idaho
edited February 2005 in Science & Tech
Does anyone know of a way to export the local user accounts and groups on an existing Windows 2000 pc to a new one, or do you have to recreate each one on the new box?

Comments

  • KingFishKingFish
    edited February 2005
    Everything in a user's account is stored in their "profile", which by default is located in C:\Documents And Settings\

    Here's how I'd go about it:
    On the new computer that you want to migrate the files TO, create a login that is the same as what was on the old computer. It's not necessary to use the same password, but use the same login name. The first time you log into that account on the new computer, navigate to c:\documents and settings\ and you'll notice that there is a directory with that login name there.

    On the old computer, delete all the temporary internet files (this saves on the amount you have to transfer), then navigate to c:\documents and settings\<profile name>. Copy all the contents in that directory from the OLD computer to the c:\documents and settings\<profile name> of the NEW computer. Among the items that will be transferred is everything that is inside "my documents", the .pst file that outlook uses, desktop icons/files/directories, wallpaper, and cookies that may be useful when surfing the web.

    Note: Check the "all users" directory under c:\documents and settings\ for documents that may be shared among all users that the current user may be using. Also, you'll have to jot down the email settings (ie pop/smtp hosts, etc) from the old computer as you'll have to re-enter those settings on the new computer.

    This will not transfer programs, as those will have to be installed on the new computer. This will transfer email, documents, wallpaper, etc specific to that user. Icons on the desktop that refer to programs not installed on the new computer will become "dead" icons.

    Another note: Make sure you can see hidden files and directories when you copy everything inside the profile because you need files inside there for many functions such as email to transfer properly. I'm also making the assumption that outlook is being used.

    Hope this helps and is what you were looking for.


    KingFish
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    Kingfishs way is the correct way if you want to transfer documents and settings :)

    If you just want to copy users and groups (logins, ids and groups), then no. Not without a domain.
  • KingFishKingFish
    edited February 2005
    Quite true. If you want to export the accounts only, minus files and settings, all you need to do is create a new account on the new computer with the same login name and password and you're good to go. You need to be logged in under an account with administrator privileges to do this.

    If you are on a domain system your IT guy/gal will have to set it up for you. You need an account on the domain in active directory to get this accomplished. The type of account on that computer also needs to be defined by someone with admin privileges too.
  • GobblesGobbles Ventura California
    edited February 2005
    you can do it to a comma delimited file, but it does not do passwords...
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    Um, duplicate the Registry hive parts for USER and SYSTEM (essentially a pair of Registry hive subset exports, yes) and then restore them on the new computer (regedt32 or other registry tools)???? You do NOT want LOCAL_MACHINE restored unless this is a reload of OS with same hardware present and same drivers present. This can be done by an IT expert and is fast and easy to do.
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