Modifying Ntuser.dat Hive So New Users Get Defined Settings

Under Windows NT 4.0 you can modify the Ntuser.dat hive so that all newly created users inherit certain settings. Anything that can be defined or modified in HKEY_CURRENT_USER can also be set in the Ntuser.dat hive (for example, international settings, colors, screen savers, sounds, and cursors).

The default user profile is created when Windows NT is installed. The first time a user logs on to a workstation (or domain), the default user profile is copied to the user profile.

The default language in this profile is set to U.S. English. Every new user that logs on will have U.S. English selected even if the administrator has set the system default locale to a different language.

To change the default language or any other settings for NEW users, you can use the registry editor to change the default user profile.

This profile is stored on the local workstation at:

with the name: Ntuser.dat.

If you want to create a default profile for all new users in a Windows NT domain, the default user profile can be copied to the Netlogon share on the primary domain controller. A subdirectory must be created within the Netlogon share called "Default User" and the default profile copied to that subdirectory. The easiest way to do this is to create a customized profile and copy that profile using the System tool in Control Panel and clicking the User Profiles tab. The Everyone group should be given permission to use the profile. This profile should be copied to every validating domain controller. The Replication service can be used for this.

The Netlogon share is normally located at
C:\WINNT\System32\Repl\Export\Scripts on the primary domain controller (PDC).

To view or modify the Ntuser.dat hive, do the following:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" online Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

1. Start Registry Editor by selecting Run from the File menu of Program Manager, typing "regedt32" (without the quotation marks), and pressing ENTER.
2. Select the "HKEY_USERS on Local Machine" window.
3. From the Registry menu, choose Load Hive.
4. From the C:\WINNT\Profiles\Default User (or equivalent) directory, select the Ntuser.dat file.
5. In the Key Name field, type "NTUSER" (without the quotation marks).
6. Select the NTUSER registry key.
7. Modify the Default User subkeys as desired.
   
   NOTE: If you add new keys, make sure that everyone has at least read access to the new key. If not, it won't be copied to the user profile when a new user logs on.
   
   To change the access right of the key, highlight the key, then select Permissions from the Security menu. If not already included, add the Everyone group with at least read access.
8. From the Registry menu, choose Unload Hive, and choose the Yes button.
9. Quit Registry Editor.

Now when a user log on to the system for the first time, the new user's hive will contain the modified information.