ntuser.dat

Hi, Welcome to seven forums.

RJAR1776 said:

Trying to copy "user' folder to a back-up disk drive but informed: "Action can't be completed because this file in open in the system" ???

This is normal.

To copy the file, log in as administrator, or use safe mode, or a third party program that will copy/backup open files (Such as Acronis, Comodo or Macrium). There are many..

hth
Tanya

RJAR1776 said:

According to Control Panel / User Accounts, I am the Administrator. So, I assume I'm always logged in that way but still can't copy or back up the Users folder.

Thanks for the help.

You can't back it up because it is being used by the user you are logged in as. If you only have an administrator on your machine and no other user accounts you will need to back it up using a third party program

You can use programs like HIRENS Boot CD, comodo backup, Macrium, even windows backup.

An alternative is to create another account on your machine, which is probably a good idea anyway (but how to do that is outside the scope of this post, but we can point you in the right direction if you want to do that).

The ntuser.dat contains your user configuration which include the HK_USER registry hive, and user file system structure, that's why it's in use.

You could also boot from your Windows DVD, go to reapir and then get to a command prompt and copy it that way.

But just out of curiosity - what do you need to copy that file anyway? If you are trying to make a backup for recovery purposes there are better ways to do it than just copying the files.

If you want to move a user account from one machine to another windows machine Windows 7 has built in migration tools to do that.

Something else perhaps?

Tanya

Have a look at this tutorial. User Account - Create

RJAR1776 said:

Sounds like it would be a good idea to set-up another account foe the Administrator so that I'm not always logged in as both the sole user and administrator. Can you point me to instructions on how to do that?

Thanks again.

Yes, it's best not to use the built in administrator account. Setting up your own account is the best way to go.

Remember though, no matter what account you use, the ntuser.dat file for that account will be locked when you are logged into that account.