How to create multiple user accounts with the same settings?

[WimYogya]

Hello,
After a serious crash and repair I have to reinstall my laptop from scratch, which in itself is already quite a job. Since I want to make the laptop available for 3 different users, I want to reduce the installation to a minimum.
So, how do I make all settings for all 3 users the same?
My experience so far: if I create a new user account some programs/settings automatically appear in the new account. Others must be installed again, with (new/old) preferred settings.
How to avoid that?
Or: how to 'copy' all the settings from account 1 to 2 and 3?
If necessary from there on it is easier to delete/change a few things, than to install all.

 

[Ztruker]

Install affects all accounts. It's the icons for installed programs that don't always show up in all accounts.

I believe you can fix that by moving any icons from the first account's Desktop folder to the Default Desktop folder.

 

[WimYogya]

But what I recall from previous installs is that when creating new accounts I had to start from scratch with certain applications. Even the windows settings (language, time, background, theme) had to be selected 'as new'. Of course it should be POSSIBLE to make changes, but if a second user wants a copy of most settings of #1, is just a general install sufficient??

 

[DavidE]

Take a look at this and see if might help.
How to copy a user profile on Windows 7

I've never done this, but I'd like to know how it works for you if you do try it.

 

[Ztruker]

Also just found this: How to create a default user profile in Windows 7 - Answers That Work

It's a link to a PDF document with instructions to do what you want (I hope).

 

[WimYogya]

@Ztruker
Thanks for your links. The first was not clear, the second was perfect. It took me some time before I could explore it, that is why my reaction is a bit late. But it was in fact quite simple to do it! Thanks again!

 

[Ztruker]

Great! If you can explain what you did maybe it will help someone else.

 

[WimYogya]

Well, there is nothing to explain because i did not understand at all what i was doing. But i just followed the instructions carefully and it worked.

 

[Ztruker]

Oh, okay, thanks.