Names 1

[lanceja]

I am hoping someone can help me or point me in the right direction.

I have setup a XP Pro computer. When it came in it was setup as part of a workgroup and of course since you cannot use Administrator, you have to give a name to first user. For now we will say jdoe. Well I setup JDoe with all the configurations and default settings. Part of the configuration was to move My Documents out of Documents and settings to the C:\My Documents. After making all the changes I copy jdoe's profile to the Default user profile.

Next thing I did was to have the computer join a domain: testdomain. Now I setup a domain user to use the computer: kdoe. Since it used the default profile, My documents is pointed toward C:\My Documents.

Now my problem is that when I do a remote control from this computer and want to copy a file, I see jdoe's documents instead of My Documents. Is there a way of forcing XP to use "My Documents" instead of "jdoe's documetns"?

Thanks for any help

 

[linney]

Some things to look at.

236621 - Cannot Move or Rename the Documents and Settings Folder

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;236621&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

322014 - HOW TO: Change the Default Location of User Profiles and Program Settings

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;322014&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Moving Docs/Settings folder in windows xp pro
thread779-763308

Bootable NTFS Reader
thread779-1125940

 

[bcastner]

Create a NoSharedDocuments string value in the following registry key and set the data value to 1.

For All Users: Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

For Only Users That Are Logged on to the Computer: Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

 

[lanceja]

1. I do not want to change the default location of Documents & Settings. I want to change the default locaton of My Documents. I can do that but it retains the name of the original user which I do not want.

2. There is not a HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

There is a HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
but nothing else.

3. There is: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
but what does the NoSharedDocuments string value do for me?

All I want to do is to make sure My Documents folder is seen as My Documents by ALL users and not the name of the original user.

 

[lanceja]

I did a search in my registry. Under the following key:
hklm\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\docfolderpaths

I found a String Value with the original user's name with the data pointing to the location of the My Document's directory. Now if I was to change the Name of this string to My Documents do you think this would fix my problem?

 

[linney]

Export the current key and save it, then try your amendment, restore (import) the original key if all hell breaks loose.

If you are going to fiddle with the registry be aware of the dangers of such an action. This is a good program to know about, it allows you to restore a complete registry if Windows fails to start.

Registry Backup and Restore for Windows NT/2000/2003/XP

http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

Did you read those threads linked to earlier, I realize that we are discussing the My Documents folder, but there may be some useful links there.

 

[lanceja]

I did read the links and I might be using them also. Another job I am looking at doing is moving about a half dozen computers from one domain to another domain. In the process will need to keep the user's profiles so they see no difference.

Will play with the registry and see what happens.

 

[lanceja]

I changed the docfolderpath and also changed the owner name with no luck. Does any one have any idea how to get this piece of garbage software fixed?

 

[bcastner]

Changing things in DocFolderPaths or ShellFolders or UserShellFolders is not going to realize your goal.

The listing shown in Explorer is controlled by the DESKTOP.INI file in the My Documents folder.

[DeleteOnCopy]
Owner=Bill Castner
Personalized=5
PersonalizedName=My Documents

First Problem, the Default User Profile.
There should not be a DESKTOP.INI file under the Default Profile, My Documents. If there is, delete it.

2. Second Problem - Ownership
Whatever is created as the Desktop.ini, make sure the Owner field is done correctly for any new users:

[DeleteOnCopy]
Owner=Bill Castner <<===== this line must be right
Personalized=5
PersonalizedName=My Documents

3. Third Problem, CSLUID

[DeleteOnCopy]
Owner=Bill Castner
Personalized=5 <<======= CSLUID offfset in Decimal
PersonalizedName=My Documents <<===== changing this will not help

This is where the real problem surfaces.
Applications frequently use a number of folders which might not have the same name or location on any given system. For example, the system folder might be called C:\Windows on one system and C:\Winnt on another. CSIDL values provide a unique system-independent way to identify these special folders. The values supersede the use of environment variables for this purpose.


You use a CSIDL in conjunction with one of four Shell functions, SHGetFolderLocation, SHGetFolderPath, SHGetSpecialFolderLocation, and SHGetSpecialFolderPath, to retrieve a special folder's path name or pointer to an item identifier list (PIDL) .


Most CSIDLs correspond to either file system folders or virtual folders. Where the CSIDL identifies a file system folder, a commonly used path is given as an example. Other paths can be used. Some CSIDLs can be mapped to an equivalent %VariableName% environment variable. CSIDLs are more reliable, however, and should be used if possible.

Explorer uses the CSIDL of x0005 to display "jdoe's Documents" rather than "My Documents".

These CSIDL constants are defined in Shlobj.h and Shfolder.h and used when the shell is compiled.

In other words, to change the behavior of Explorer would require you to compile your own versions of shell32.dll and shell.dll with the changes.

Syntax
typedef enum {
CSIDL_DESKTOP = 0x0000,
CSIDL_INTERNET = 0x0001,
CSIDL_PROGRAMS = 0x0002,
CSIDL_CONTROLS = 0x0003,
CSIDL_PRINTERS = 0x0004,
CSIDL_PERSONAL = 0x0005,
CSIDL_FAVORITES = 0x0006,
CSIDL_STARTUP = 0x0007,
CSIDL_RECENT = 0x0008,
CSIDL_SENDTO = 0x0009,
CSIDL_BITBUCKET = 0x000A,
CSIDL_STARTMENU = 0x000B,
CSIDL_MYDOCUMENTS = 0x000C,
CSIDL_MYMUSIC = 0x000D,
CSIDL_MYVIDEO = 0x000E,
CSIDL_DESKTOPDIRECTORY = 0x0010,
CSIDL_DRIVES = 0x0011,
CSIDL_NETWORK = 0x0012,
CSIDL_NETHOOD = 0x0013,
CSIDL_FONTS = 0x0014,
CSIDL_TEMPLATES = 0x0015,
CSIDL_COMMON_STARTMENU = 0x016,
CSIDL_COMMON_PROGRAMS = 0x0017,
CSIDL_COMMON_STARTUP = 0x0018,
CSIDL_COMMON_DESKTOPDIRECTORY = 0x0019,
CSIDL_APPDATA = 0x001A,
CSIDL_PRINTHOOD = 0x001B,
CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA = 0x001C,
CSIDL_ALTSTARTUP = 0x001D,
CSIDL_COMMON_ALTSTARTUP = 0x001E,
CSIDL_COMMON_FAVORITES = 0x001F,
CSIDL_INTERNET_CACHE = 0x0020,
CSIDL_COOKIES = 0x0021,
CSIDL_HISTORY = 0x0022,
CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA = 0x0023,
CSIDL_WINDOWS = 0x0024,
CSIDL_SYSTEM = 0x0025,
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES = 0x0026,
CSIDL_MYPICTURES = 0x0027,
CSIDL_PROFILE = 0x0028,
CSIDL_SYSTEMX86 = 0x0029,
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILESX86 = 0x002A,
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMON = 0x002B,
CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES_COMMONX86 = 0x002C,
CSIDL_COMMON_TEMPLATES = 0x002D,
CSIDL_COMMON_DOCUMENTS = 0x002E,
CSIDL_COMMON_ADMINTOOLS = 0x002F,
CSIDL_ADMINTOOLS = 0x0030,
CSIDL_CONNECTIONS = 0x0031,
CSIDL_COMMON_MUSIC = 0x0035,
CSIDL_COMMON_PICTURES = 0x0036,
CSIDL_COMMON_VIDEO = 0x0037,
CSIDL_RESOURCES = 0x0038,
CSIDL_RESOURCES_LOCALIZED = 0x0039,
CSIDL_COMMON_OEM_LINKS = 0x003A,
CSIDL_CDBURN_AREA = 0x003B,
CSIDL_COMPUTERSNEARME = 0x003D,
CSIDL_FLAG_PER_USER_INIT = 0x0800,
CSIDL_FLAG_NO_ALIAS = 0x1000,
CSIDL_FLAG_DONT_VERIFY = 0x4000,
CSIDL_FLAG_CREATE = 0x8000,
CSIDL_FLAG_MASK = 0xFF00



} CSIDL Values;


Constants

CSIDL_DESKTOP
Windows desktop—virtual folder that is the root of the name space.


CSIDL_INTERNET
Virtual folder that represents the Internet.


CSIDL_PROGRAMS
File system directory that contains the user's program groups (which are also file system directories). A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs.


CSIDL_CONTROLS
Virtual folder that contains icons for Control Panel applications.


CSIDL_PRINTERS
Virtual folder that contains installed printers.


CSIDL_PERSONAL (Offset = 5)
File system directory that serves as a common repository for documents. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents. This is different from the My Documents virtual folder in the name space.

CSIDL_FAVORITES
File system directory that serves as a common repository for the user's favorite items. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Favorites.


CSIDL_STARTUP
File system directory that corresponds to the user's Startup program group. The system starts these programs whenever any user logs onto Microsoft® Windows NT® or starts Microsoft® Windows® 98. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.


CSIDL_RECENT
File system directory that contains the user's most recently used documents. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Recent. To create a shortcut in this folder, use SHAddToRecentDocs. In addition to creating the shortcut, this function updates the Shell's list of recent documents and adds the shortcut to the Documents submenu of the Start menu.


CSIDL_SENDTO
File system directory that contains Send To menu items. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\SendTo.


CSIDL_BITBUCKET
Virtual folder that contains the objects in the user's Recycle Bin.


CSIDL_STARTMENU
File system directory that contains Start Menu items. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu.


CSIDL_MYDOCUMENTS
Virtual folder that contains the objects in the user's My Documents folder.


CSIDL_MYMUSIC
File system directory that serves as a common repository for music files. A typical path is C:\My Music.


CSIDL_MYVIDEO
File system directory that serves as a common repository for video files.


CSIDL_DESKTOPDIRECTORY
File system directory used to physically store file objects on the desktop (not to be confused with the desktop folder itself). A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Desktop


CSIDL_DRIVES
My Computer—virtual folder that contains everything on the local computer: storage devices, printers, and Control Panel. The folder can also contain mapped network drives.


CSIDL_NETWORK
Network Neighborhood—virtual folder that represents the root of the network namespace hierarchy.


CSIDL_NETHOOD
A file system folder that contains the link objects that can exist in the My Network Places virtual folder. It is not the same as CSIDL_NETWORK, which represents the network namespace root. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\NetHood.


CSIDL_FONTS
Virtual folder that contains fonts. A typical path is C:\WINNT\Fonts.


CSIDL_TEMPLATES
File system directory that serves as a common repository for document templates.


CSIDL_COMMON_STARTMENU
File system directory that contains the programs and folders that appear on the Start Menu for all users. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu. Valid only for Windows NT systems.


CSIDL_COMMON_PROGRAMS
File system directory that contains the directories for the common program groups that appear in the Start Menu for all users. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs. Valid only for Windows NT systems.


CSIDL_COMMON_STARTUP
File system directory that contains the programs that appear in the Startup folder for all users. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. Valid only for Windows NT systems.


CSIDL_COMMON_DESKTOPDIRECTORY
File system directory that contains files and folders that appear on the desktop for all users. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop. Valid only for Windows NT systems.


CSIDL_APPDATA
Version 4.71. File system directory that serves as a common repository for application-specific data. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data. This CSIDL is supported by the redistributable ShFolder.dll for systems that do not have the Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0 integrated Shell installed.


CSIDL_PRINTHOOD
File system directory that contains the link objects that can exist in the Printers virtual folder. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\PrintHood.


CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA
Version 5.0. File system directory that serves as a data repository for local (nonroaming) applications. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data.


CSIDL_ALTSTARTUP
File system directory that corresponds to the user's nonlocalized Startup program group.


CSIDL_COMMON_ALTSTARTUP
File system directory that corresponds to the nonlocalized Startup program group for all users. Valid only for Windows NT systems.


CSIDL_COMMON_FAVORITES
File system directory that serves as a common repository for all user's favorite items. Valid only for Windows NT systems.


CSIDL_INTERNET_CACHE
Version 4.72. File system directory that serves as a common repository for temporary Internet files. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Temporary Internet Files.


CSIDL_COOKIES
File system directory that serves as a common repository for Internet cookies. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\Cookies.


CSIDL_HISTORY
File system directory that serves as a common repository for Internet history items.


CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA
Version 5.0. Application data for all users. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data.


CSIDL_WINDOWS
Version 5.0. Windows directory or SYSROOT. This corresponds to the %windir% or %SYSTEMROOT% environment variables. A typical path is C:\WINNT.


CSIDL_SYSTEM
Version 5.0. System folder. A typical path is C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32.


CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES
Version 5.0. Program Files folder. A typical path is C:\Program Files.


CSIDL_MYPICTURES
Version 5.0. My Pictures folder. A typical path is C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Pictures.


CSIDL_PROFILE
Version 5.0. User's profile
...

 

[linney]

The Desktop.ini File Does Not Work Correctly When You Create a Custom Default Profile

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q321281

How can I edit the default Places bar quick links in Windows XP's and Windows 2000's Open and Save common dialog boxes?

http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/ArticleID/24828/24828.html

Read the comments on the page to find an amendment.

After reading Bill's post, several times, and not really understanding it, the above link may be irrelevant, but nonetheless it seems to relate in part to what Bill is saying, it is also worth knowing for its own information.

 

[lanceja]

To be honest I could not understand Bill's post either. But I did use the suggestion of the Desktop.ini file. I went into this file and changed the name of the owner and that fixed my problem. I actually was able to put %Username% in there and it showed the current user's name.

It would be nice if Microsoft had just left this like 2000 in which all you saw was "My Documents". But what can you say about a company that always knows what's best for the customer.

Thanks everyone

 

[bcastner]

I apologize for the long listing of CSIDLs, that was not intended.

My post suggested three things:

1. That you should remove the Desktop.ini file in the Default User profile;

2. That you should edit the Destop.ini file in any existing profile created from the erronous Default User profile;

3. And that if you want Explorer to display "My Documents" rather than "Username's Documents" you would have to recompile the Shell.

I am glad that you were able to use my instructions to sort this issue.

But I am baffled how an instruction highlighted in bright blue can be found not understandable nor apparently very valuable.

Best,
Bill Castner

 

[linney]

Bill,

All your posts are very valuable and appreciated by us mere mortals. As with all long posts, the attention span begins to wain about halfway through the post (well mine does anyway) and this may have contributed to my thoughts on the matter for which I apologize. I am sure the more technically gifted people understood you fully.

I am often criticized for replying to a post in a way that the questioner feels that I assume they know nothing about computers, in other words at a too basic level.

Somewhere in between is the happy medium that we are both striving for.