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What to keep in mind when backing up a profile

User profiles include a user's My Documents, Desktop, Favorites, Start Menu, Cookies, and a

handful of hidden folders. Profiles are located by default in the \Documents And Settings folder on

a Windows 2000 clean installation, or in the %systemroot%\Profiles folder on a system upgraded

from Windows NT. When you log on, settings in the registry point you to your profile based on your

logon name.



You can right-click My Computer and choose Properties to access the Profiles tab. This tab lets you

view profiles on the system, change profiles from local to roaming, copy profiles to another

location, and delete profiles. The ability to copy a profile would seem like a good way to back up

your profile if you're reinstalling Windows on your computer or moving to a different computer. It's

a fine way to copy a profile--as long as you realize that Windows 2000 doesn't copy the entire set of

profile folders.



The hidden folder Local Settings is part of your profile. Applications typically use this folder for

nonessential data. Windows 2000 doesn't copy this folder across the network for a roaming profile;

the Copy To feature in the Profiles tab also doesn't copy the folder.



This folder is for nonessential files. Outlook defaults to using the Local Settings folder to store the

archive, Hotmail, and other PST files. Keep that in mind the next time you want to back up your

profile using the Profiles tab.

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