Understanding User Profiles

A user profile is a set of data that is used to re-create the user's environment each time a user logs on. It includes several folders such as Contacts, Cookies, Desktop, Downloads, Favorites, and more. It also includes user-specific Registry settings.

As an example, Martin could use a Windows 7 system and have it configured with a lefthand mouse, the Windows 7 Landscapes theme, a weather gadget on his desktop, and several drives mapped to network shares he uses regularly. Each time Martin logs on, these settings are re-created from his profile. Jasmin could use the same computer with a different user account. She can reconfigure all of these settings, and they will be re-created from her profile each time she logs on, without affecting the settings for Martin.

Windows 7 profiles are stored in the %systemroot%\Users folder by default. The Users folder includes the standard profiles of any user who has ever logged on to the system and also the All Users profile and the Default User profile.

All Users The All Users profile holds settings that affect all users. As an example, when you install an application, you are often prompted to choose to allow all users access to the program. When you select All Users, the application modifies the All Users profile, ensuring the application is available to any user who logs on to the system.

Default User This profile is used when a user first logs on to a system. Windows 7 will copy the Default User profile to a new folder named with the user's logon name. If Martin logs on, a folder is created named Martin and includes all the data from the Default User profile. This new profile is used to re-create the same environment for the user each time Martin logs on.

Tip There are many differences in how profiles are implemented in Windows XP and Windows 7. The changes occurred between Windows XP and Windows Vista. For example, in Windows XP the profile was located under the %systemroot\Documents And Settings\ folder. This was changed to %systemroot%\Users\ in Windows Vista and Windows 7.

If you look in the %systemroot%\Users folder, you won't see the Default User folder, but it's there-it's just hidden. By default, the only folders that a user will see in the %systemroot%\Users\ folder are the Public folder and the profile folders of any users who have logged on. There are many hidden and system-protected folders that don't show by default, and you can follow these steps to show them:

1. Launch Windows Explorer and browse to the %systemroot%\Users\ folder.
2. Click Organize → Folder And Search Options.
3. Select the View tab.
4. Select Show Hidden Files And Folders.
5. Deselect Hide Protected Operating System Files. When prompted, if you're sure you want to display these files, click Yes. Click OK.

You will now see the All Users folder, the Default User folder, and some other folders.