How do users still have 'unique settings' after Application Data c

Hi,

I am just wondering. I noticed App Data was getting too large for indivdual
profiles and so decided to keep all profiles to access a single App Data so
it could be administered easy and so I could 'add' settings for applications
easily.

But something wierd is going on. Programs such as Microsoft Outlook or
Microsoft Word are retaining user's custom settings. This is perfect, as I
wanted users to have this freedom. I just do not understand. For Example:

In Outlook, all profiles have been set to acquire and save e-mail to
U:\Email\folders.pst. However, the account settings have not. I always
imagined this was saved in App Data or Local Settings, however, a) if it was
in App Data it would conflict with other people's account details b) if it
was local settings it would not work on other pcs.

How come this is still working? where are things like account details being
saved? registry? ntuser.dat?

Sorry I am confused

TIA

Sam

Lanwench
Mon Mar 24 16:24:16 PDT 2008

Sam <Sam@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am just wondering. I noticed App Data was getting too large for
> indivdual profiles and so decided to keep all profiles to access a
> single App Data so it could be administered easy and so I could 'add'
> settings for applications easily.

I'm not sure that having users share the application data folder is
supported or workable (if you aren't using a mandatory roaming profile, that
is).

Using folder redirection for your users, so they each get
\\server\users$\%username%\My Documents,
\\server\users$\%username\Application Data ,
\\server\users$\%username%\Desktop is a really good idea - this will keep
your profile folders tiny.
>
> But something wierd is going on. Programs such as Microsoft Outlook or
> Microsoft Word are retaining user's custom settings. This is perfect,
> as I wanted users to have this freedom. I just do not understand. For
> Example:
>
> In Outlook, all profiles have been set to acquire and save e-mail to
> U:\Email\folders.pst.

Note that PST files must not be accessed across a LAN/WAN connection - it
isn't supported and causes problems. If you've got Exchange don't use PST
files- if you don't have Exchange, don't have users roam.

> However, the account settings have not. I always
> imagined this was saved in App Data or Local Settings, however, a) if
> it was in App Data it would conflict with other people's account
> details b) if it was local settings it would not work on other pcs.
>
> How come this is still working? where are things like account details
> being saved? registry? ntuser.dat?
>
> Sorry I am confused

Me too - something is not working as you think you have it set up,
apparently. But as it isn't a recommended config anyway, why not try folder
redirection so each user gets their own folders, which is the way it's
supposed to work.

>
> TIA
>
> Sam