User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installation

jmallamo · 20 Oct 2013

Hi Kari - I have used your tutorial on 3 computers since you first posted, and the method in post 30 works great... this is a pdf file I have in a folder!

So, I would like to restore the current location (a WD VR 600) back to the SSD in the system (deleted and/or off-loaded a bunch of files to an external disk) before swapping that SSD out for a new larger one.

How do I use audit mode to restore users and appdata back to C: ?

Put my Win7 disk in , boot from it, enter Audit mode and run the script changing the drive letter to "C" from the current "E"?
jpm

Kari · 21 Oct 2013

jmallamo said:

Hi Kari - I have used your tutorial on 3 computers since you first posted, and the method in post 30 works great... this is a pdf file I have in a folder!

So, I would like to restore the current location (a WD VR 600) back to the SSD in the system (deleted and/or off-loaded a bunch of files to an external disk) before swapping that SSD out for a new larger one.

How do I use audit mode to restore users and appdata back to C: ?

Put my Win7 disk in , boot from it, enter Audit mode and run the script changing the drive letter to "C" from the current "E"?
jpm

Last time I posted answer to this question in this thread was just two days ago, three posts before yours (this post of your's is number 700 in this thread, my answer post number 697). I know it's boring to go through page after page to see if your question is already answered, but please check at least a few last posts.

This a bit older post tells you how to boot to Audit Mode on an existing Windows. You can of course also run sysprep from Windows normal mode desktop, but it's somewhat more secure procedure if done in Audit Mode.

Kari

jmallamo · 21 Oct 2013

Oh, geeze... That's what i get for skimming! I see you instructions to reverse the sysprep user location - simple enough for a noob like me. Will give it a go as soon as the new SSD arrives.

Much appreciated. Great tutorial and thread!

jmallamo · 21 Oct 2013

Ran the "reverse" script as you described. Worked like a charm!

Frankly, this is such a great tool (and your tutorial very effective), why is this windows capability not more well known!

Great job Kari, and thank you

Britton30 · 21 Oct 2013

It is a really good way to install I think. Audit mode can do much more than this if you research it. Kari can whip it into shape very well to do his will.

do2or · 12 Nov 2013

Kari said:

OK, I have tested a new, different scenario now on three PC's, and it works. Here's what you should do if installing Seven on SSD and relocating User folders using this method, or if for any reason wanting to move ProgramData and / or Users after Windows is already installed. This method can be used whenever you want to relocate Users to another disk on an existing installation of Seven.

If you want to install Seven on an SSD: Install Seven normally to SSD, disconnecting all other disks. After Windows has booted first time normally after installation, shut the computer down and reconnect other disks. Reboot Windows.

Relocating Users and ProgramData folders when Windows Seven is already installed:

Run Command Prompt as administrator by clicking Start Menu > All Programs > Accessories, then right clicking Command Prompt and selecting Run as Administrator:

Attachment 128354

Type this to command prompt: C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot, hit Enter.

Attachment 128355

Kari

I have tested in an exsisting Windows installation with different method,

Code:

Sysprep.exe /audit /reboot /unattend:D:\relocate.xml

and after reboot enter OOBE, please see this video and check if it's OK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLhsnqxVVgE

Thanks.

Kari · 12 Nov 2013

What do you mean a different method? The method you use is exactly the same method described in the tutorial. There's a reason to start the procedure in Audit Mode but only difference I can see in the video compared to the tutorial is that you'll do it in normal mode.

I have three reasons why I do not like the video.

1). The video does not explain why, does not give any background information. It is simply too blatant, non-explaining "Do this, don't ask why!"

2). A written tutorial is easier to update when things change. A video lives its own life and later might cause issues after changes or updates in Windows require the things to be done in slightly a different way.

3). Of course this method was not invented by me. Sysprep and its usage are built-in features in Windows. I have simply written this tutorial about how to use Sysprep in this particular scenario.

That being said, when I wrote this tutorial we had just had some lively discussion here about some other sites using our content without telling the readers it originated from the Seven Forums. This in mind I made with purpose an unnecessary step in this procedure, to be able to tell if a similar tutorial or guide was a copy & paste job originating from here, or originally written. As the method got some popularity I simply left this telltale there as it really is harmless.

Your video has this telltale, an unnecessary step that tell me you have not made an original thing, based on your experience or Microsoft Windows documentation, but that you have instead copied some content published here at Seven Forums, then made a video based on it, and you mention our forums only as a footnote to get more info on Sysprep.

For these reasons I do not recommend your video. I watched it, as if I did not know the Sysprep, and it did not explain things to me.

Kari

do2or · 14 Nov 2013

Kari said:

That being said, when I wrote this tutorial we had just had some lively discussion here about some other sites using our content without telling the readers it originated from the Seven Forums. This in mind I made with purpose an unnecessary step in this procedure, to be able to tell if a similar tutorial or guide was a copy & paste job originating from here, or originally written. As the method got some popularity I simply left this telltale there as it really is harmless.

Your video has this telltale, an unnecessary step that tell me you have not made an original thing, based on your experience or Microsoft Windows documentation, but that you have instead copied some content published here at Seven Forums, then made a video based on it, and you mention our forums only as a footnote to get more info on Sysprep.

you're right. so I'll add the credits in the video for this site and for "Kari".

new link for the video.

Kari said:

For these reasons I do not recommend your video. I watched it, as if I did not know the Sysprep, and it did not explain things to me.

Kari

because the process its a bit different (in normal mode) perhaps something isn't good.
i'm only interested in your opinion, not for teaching something new or better.

thank's.

Kari · 14 Nov 2013

You got it wrong!!! Although I have never been modest

, the credits belong to the Seven Forums, not to me. The method uses native Windows tools and features, Seven Forums has a tutorial of how to use them in a certain scenario and your video is based on this Seven Forums tutorial.

The Audit Mode uses the built-in administrator profile instead of a normal profile in an "enhanced Safe Mode" (a term I just made up, not de facto technical Windows term). Less services, less background activities and so on. I recommend using sysprep only when in Audit Mode, others might tell you something else.

Kari

namitutonka · 12 Dec 2013

Re: Relocate User folders during Windows 7 installation.pdf

My last relocation of user file folders took such a long painstaking time editing the registry after the OS install. And it still had User folders on the C: drive anyway.

Thank you so VERY much for this guide. Nice! The example xml file in the PDF file uses one insall.wim file, but I used the following XML script file to load two .swm files:
(note the following is a text file edited in notepad, I then changed the file extension from .txt to .xml)

relocate_but rename with xml extension.txt (file attachment)

It worked like a charm. Here are a couple of pictures. You can see that my C: drive has no Users folder. Kind regards and a big thank you!!

namitutonka

User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installation

maybe this methos it's OK ?

Relocate User folders during Windows 7 installation