It used to be that you could copy user profiles as easy as copying any other folder but times have changed. This article will cover initially the case where I want to move my windows 7 computer to a new domain and keep all my user settings, files, and email.
- Research
- This article describes using the Profile Manager in Windows NT 4. Article.
- This one describes using a User Transfer from 1 domain to another but requires domain trust to be setup. Article.
- It looks like I will be testing the USMT but actually using the ADMT eventually.
- Method 1 – using the Files and settings transfer wizzard that comes with Windows 7
- I used the wizzard to create a transfer file for my domain profile.
- I them used it to copy that file to a local user.
- All looked good except that the Outlook settings did not come over. I wanted to not need to set up accounts, rules, and signatures again so I will try method 2 below.
- Method 2 – use the User State Migration Tool that comes with the Windows 7 AIK
- Downloaded the AIK from Microsoft. It is a 1 GB ISO that needs to be burned to a DVD and installed.
- It appears that this will have the same limits as Method 1 as the SID of the account is diferent and not translated but I’ll try anyway since it looks simpler than using the ADMT.
- Method 3 – use the Active Directory Migration Tool
- This is what I wound up using as it seemed to work good on 1 test box and I am moving Domain users to a new domain.
- I need to test once more on a box with Outlook installed. My primary workstation? Wish me luck.
- I set up a 2 way trust between the domains
- I installed ADMT on the new Domain controller.
- I magrated the users along with the SID History.
- Then on the workstation:
- login as the new domain user.
- logoff and logon as a local administrator.
- run regedit and go to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Profile List
- Find the 2 users.
- Change the profile path on the new to equil the old
- reboot
- login as the new domain user
- all is good!
