Solved New account using current account desktop

[EdPell]

Until I get a new PC with Win 10, I want to run Win 7 using a Standard Account. Although I've never set up a new account, it seems to be a relatively simple procedure.

I have my Administrator account desktop layout just the way I like it (tons of icons exactly where I want them) and I want the new Standard Account desktop to be the same.

If anyone can point to an easy way to do that, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
EdP

 

[samuria]

that would depend on the shortcuts if they point to admin folders a standard user couldnt use them. what you could do is create a new admin account login so you know it works then change you account to standard user

 

[iko22]

A new User Account with same desktop icons in the same position? I have never wanted to do that, but suppose I did, then I'd wonder how.

You could try something like Desktop Restore. It is supposed to work with Windows 7, and is designed to save your desktop layout, and allow you to restore the saved layout. There is no Documentation on this program, so I suppose the program creates a file that perhaps you can copy across into a new profile. A lot of speculation, really! It might work for you, there again it might not.

 

[RoWin7]

I use DR. There is a readme file as follows:


"Desktop Icon Save and Restore
Copyright Ó 2001-2016 by Jamie O’Connell

"Important Note: You may need to restart your machine before the new version will be loaded by Windows. This readme file (DR Readme.rtf) is placed into the install folder for later review.

"This tiny application operates as a Shell extension. It records the layout and positions of icons and programs on the WindowsÒ desktop, and permits restoration of the layout. It appears to operate correctly under Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP (x86, x64), Windows Vista (x86, x64), Win 7 (x86, x64), Win 8-Win 8.1 (x86, x64), and Win 10 (x64).

"I wrote this program after severe frustration of having my layout trashed every time I switched screen resolutions. Sometimes other programs will switch screen size and trash your layout as well. This program is an answer to this problem, and I thought other people might find it useful too.

"Usage
After installation, five new items are available in the desktop context menu (right-click menu): Save Desktop… , Restore Desktop, Custom Save and Restore…, Highlight unmatched icons and Settings… Right-clicking on the desktop and choosing Save Desktop… stores the current desktop layout into the registry (after verifying that this is what you want), using the current screen resolution as the name. Once this has been performed, choosing Restore Desktop, will recall the stored layout (for the current screen resolution) even if the icons have been scrambled all over the screen. You should always re-save the desktop after adding an icon(s) and after changing any desktop icon’s position.

"Custom Save and Restore… allows you to:
· Choose the saved layout to restore.
· Store the current layout under a name of your choosing.
· Delete an existing layout.
· Save to a layout file of your choice.
· Restore from a saved layout file

"When you restore a layout that contains unmatched, conflicting icons; the conflicting icons are placed in an unoccupied position on the screen. Unmatched icons are caused by icons being added to the desktop after the last Save Desktop operation. In this case, some icons may conflict with stored icon positions.

"If you restore a drastically different layout than was saved at the current resolution, you may find that some icons are placed out of the viewable area. In this case you can restore a different layout or toggle Arrange Icons By -> Auto-arrange. Be sure to toggle it back afterward. To use this application, you should not have Auto-arrange set in the desktop “Arrange Icons by”, and it is recommended that you do turn on Align to Grid.

"Highlight unmatched icons: If after running the command, any icons are highlighted, it is recommended to perform a new Save Desktop.

"You can un-install Desktop Icon Save and Restore at any time by using the Control Panel Add/Remove program facility (Programs and Features), or running the Uninstall applet in the Desktop Restore folder.

"Tech. Notes: The application is named dkticnsr.dll, and is installed to the application folder “C:\Program Files\Desktop Restore” (i.e. no longer to: Windows System ShellExt folder). The module is registered with the system as a COM component. The registry key used for storage is: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\JOConnell\DeskTop. Each desktop icon is stored as a subkey under this location."

=========================================================

I don't know where they store the layout file. It's not in the program folder.
Can't he just copy his desktop from his User profile? I've done it in the past.

 

[Alejandro85]

I would suggest you to do the other way around, pretty much the very same thing samuria suggested. Create another account, make it the admin and use it to demote your main account to standard, keeping using it.

The desktop layout is probably the least of your concerns. All other program's settings are too tied to the account and keeping it the same will prevent the reconfiguration of many other pieces of software.

 

[iko22]

I have another idea that I can suggest.

Move all the User\Desktop icons into \Users\Public\Public Desktop. Then any profile you create will have the same icons.

 

[Alejandro85]

Move all the User\Desktop icons into \Users\Public\Public Desktop. Then any profile you create will have the same icons.

Note that doing this will make those files shared among every single user account, any modification will need admin access (since it's a global folder) and the change will impact all users. It's generally better to avoid such folder for these reasons, unless specifically wanted.

 

[EdPell]

Thanks for the input. I appreciate you all sharing your expertise.

Things aren't as simple as one might believe (hope) them to be.
I think it's best that I create a new Admin account and change my current Admin account to a Standard account.

As usual, great forum.
EdP