Windows 10 Default Profile set up
These are the instructions on how to setup a customized default profile for Windows 10. The scripts folder contains some scripts that will automate the application process of the default profile. You will still need to use these instructions to create a default profile first.
This process has been tested on Windows 10 1607 and Windows 10 2016 LTSB.
Creating the Default Profile through sysprep
On a new install of Windows log in to the administrator and open the command line.
Run
cd \Windows\System32\Sysprep
sysprep /audit /reboot
Note: If you log in as another user and windows has a chance to update its apps it won’t let you sysprep. You will have to delete all user profiles and reset the Windows Update cache.
Note: Don’t bother setting the Default apps or Start Menu and Taskbar settings. Those are handled a different way.
Once it reboots set up the administrator account with all the settings you want to be the default.
These are the settings I change.
Settings > PrivacyTurn off all optionsSettings > Network & Internet > Wi-FiDisable open hotspots and paid Wi-FI ServicesSettings > Personalize > Themes > Desktop Icon SettingsEnable ComputerSettings > System > NotificationsDisable Get tips, and suggestionsWindows Explorer > File > Change Folder and search options > ViewDisable Show sync provider notifications- Add Google Chrome, Gmail, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel Icons to the desktop
- Arrange Icons on the desktop.
Note: This will not keep if you change resolutions or text size later. Right click taskbar > Cortanachange to show Cortana icon- Set default hompage for all browsers
Note: You will need to use group policy or a master preferences file for chrome. - Change Firefox search to Google and remove unnecessary search providers
- Make sure Firefox and IE don’t ask to be the default all the time
- Make a small registry change to stop Windows from installing suggested apps. run this in PowerShell command
sp "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager" "SilentInstalledAppsEnabled" 0
After you are done setting everything up go to the Windows Explorer Right click Quick Access and select Options. Then under click Clear File Explorer history. Clear all browser histories as well.
Create the unattend.xml file and paste this in there. You can also just use the one in this repository.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend"> <settings pass="specialize"> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"> <CopyProfile>true</CopyProfile> </component> </settings> </unattend>
<CopyProfile>true</CopyProfile> will tell windows to convert the administrator account to a default profile.
Now run this sysprep command to apply your new default profile
sysprep /oobe /generalize /reboot /unattend:C:\unattend.xml
Go through the Windows set up then log into the administrator account.
Important: You will need to re-enable the administrator account because sysprep disabled it.
Open the control panel and go to System > Advanced system settings Under User Profiles click Settings.
Select the Default profile and then copy it to an empty folder.
Note: You might want to delete AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes If you set up a default Wallpaper in group policy. If you don’t then Windows will still lock the background but the image might be wrong.
Start Menu and Taskbar
Now we need to set up the start menu and taskbar.
Set up the start menu the way you want it and then open powershell run
Export-StartLayout -Path layout.xml
Now edit the xml file and change LayoutModificationTemplate tag to
<LayoutModificationTemplate xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/LayoutModification" xmlns:defaultlayout="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/FullDefaultLayout" xmlns:start="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/StartLayout" xmlns:taskbar="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/TaskbarLayout" Version="1">
Then at the bottom right after </DefaultLayoutOverride> add
<CustomTaskbarLayoutCollection PinListPlacement="Replace"> <defaultlayout:TaskbarLayout> <taskbar:TaskbarPinList> <taskbar:DesktopApp DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools\File Explorer.lnk" /> <taskbar:DesktopApp DesktopApplicationLinkPath="%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Google Chrome.lnk" /> </taskbar:TaskbarPinList> </defaultlayout:TaskbarLayout> </CustomTaskbarLayoutCollection>
You can modify the <taskbar:TaskbarPinList> to include whatever you want.
Look at start-layout.xml for a full example.
Now we need to check to make sure the file is valid. Open PowerShell and run:
cd \
Import-StartLayout -LayoutPath C:\start-layout.xml -MountPath C:
If it ran with no errors then you know your xml file is valid.
Note: Sometimes it errors out if you don’t run it from the root of the system drive
Now in the directory you saved your Default Profile add these folders.
AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Shell
in the Shell folder paste your start layout file and name it LayoutModification
Note: If the computer doesn’t have an application that is in your configuration then it will dissapear from the list and leave a hole. You can build your layout in a way that still looks nice when this happens.
Applying the new Default Profile
I like to keep the original Default profile for troubleshooting purposes. So I just leave it alone.
Copy your Default Profile to the C:\Users directory and rename it to whatever you want. As an example I will be renaming it DefaultOrg. Now under its security settings make sure it has the Users group has the permissions Read & Execute, List Folder Contents, and Read. Make sure to apply it to all subfolders as well.
In the registry under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList change the Default Key to point to your new DefaultProfile $SystemDrive%\Users\DefaultOrg.
Just change that back whenever you want to go back to the old Default Profile.
Or you could just rename the Old default profile to Default.old and name yours Default. As long as the permissions are correct that will work too.
Setting the Default Apps
Now set up your default apps in Windows the way you want them. When you are done open a command prompt and run
Dism /online /Export-DefaultAppAssociations:C:\default-apps.xml
Take a look at the file make sure it has everything you want.
Note: It’s best to leave it as complete as possible because if Windows doesn’t have a default app for something it gives a notification that it reset that default for each file type.
To set the default apps run:
Dism /online /Import-DefaultAppAssociations:C:\default-apps.xml
Deleting a Users Profile
When testing your new default profile you’ll probably need to reset your account.
To reset a user and make it apply the Default Profile again you need to log in as a different user delete their profile folder under C:\Users then delete their registry key under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList.
Note: If you don’t delete the key Windows will log you in under a temporary account.
Ever since Windows 10 was released, COPYPROFILE has been a major issue for administrators. It causes your default profile to be extremely large and it constantly causes issues with the Start Menu and other items in the Windows 10 OS. While developing a Windows 10 image, I found that injecting OS settings into C:\Users\Default\NTUser.dat has been the best way to configure the default profile. A year after upgrading over 2000 computers to Windows 10, I can now confidently say this method works 100% of the time and I really hope others start to use it more often.
Luckily for you, I have done the dirty work and can provide you with a starting point that can automatically configure settings for you. Keep in mind that you will need to run this script before running SYSPREP and it will change the settings for any new users. Good luck and please feel free to leave any questions in the comments below.
reg load HKLM\DEFAULT c:\users\default\ntuser.dat # Advertising ID reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo" /v Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f #Delivery optimization, disabled reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DeliveryOptimization" /v SystemSettingsDownloadMode /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f # Show titles in the taskbar reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v TaskbarGlomLevel /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f # Hide system tray icons reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v EnableAutoTray /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f # Show known file extensions reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v HideFileExt /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f # Show hidden files reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v Hidden /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f # Change default explorer view to my computer reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v LaunchTo /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f # Disable most used apps from appearing in the start menu reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v Start_TrackProgs /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f # Remove search bar and only show icon reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" /v SearchboxTaskbarMode /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f # Show Taskbar on one screen reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v MMTaskbarEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f # Disable Security and Maintenance Notifications reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings\Windows.SystemToast.SecurityAndMaintenance" /v Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f # Hide Windows Ink Workspace Button reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PenWorkspace" /v PenWorkspaceButtonDesiredVisibility /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f # Disable Game DVR reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\System\GameConfigStore" /v GameDVR_Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR" /v AppCaptureEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f # Show ribbon in File Explorer reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Ribbon" /v MinimizedStateTabletModeOff /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f # Hide Taskview button on Taskbar reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v ShowTaskViewButton /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f # Hide People button from Taskbar reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\People" /v PeopleBand /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f # Hide Edge button in IE reg add "HKLM\DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main" /v HideNewEdgeButton /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f # Remove OneDrive Setup from the RUN key reg delete "HKLM\DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /v OneDriveSetup /F reg unload HKLM\DEFAULT
If you would like to customize the Start Menu Tiles, please refer to my earlier post:
https://www.joseespitia.com/2016/06/27/customized-a-windows-10-start-layout/
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Windows allows you to create and manage multiple user accounts on your computer. If you are looking for ways to change the main account on Windows 10, this guide will walk you through the process.
We will cover the steps and prerequisites to change the primary account, ensuring a smooth transition and uninterrupted access to your PC’s resources and settings.
How to change the primary Microsoft account on Windows 10?
Before proceeding with changing the main account on Windows 10, it is important to consider the following prerequisites:
- Ensure your computer is connected to the internet.
- Back up your important data.
- Make sure you have access to the current primary account.
- Verify the UAC is enabled and set to an appropriate level to allow administrative actions during the process.
If you have gone through the checks, use different methods to change the account.
1. Create a new user account
- Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
- Go to Accounts.
- Click Family & other users.
- Now under Other users, click Add someone else to this PC.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to create a new user account.
- Once the account is created, select it and choose Change account type.
- Now set it as Administrator and click OK.
- Log out from the current primary account and log in to the new one.
2. Switching user accounts
- Press Windows + L to lock your computer or log out of your current account.
- On the login screen, choose the user account you want to use as the primary account and enter the password.
- Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
- Go to Accounts.
- Click Your info.
- Now click Sign in with a local account instead.
- Select the account and then enter the PIN and click Next.
- Now on Enter your local account info page, enter the User name, and New password, and click Next.
- Log out and log in using the new account, and it will be your main account.
3. Changing from a Microsoft account to a local account
- Press the Windows key, locate the user profile icon, right-click, and choose Change account settings.
- On the Your info section, click Sign in with a local account instead.
- Now click Sign in with a local account instead.
- Select the account and then enter the PIN and click Next.
- Now on Enter your local account info page, enter the User name, and New password, and click Next.
- Log out and log in using the new account, and it will be your primary account.
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4. Use the Control Panel
- Press the Windows key, type control panel, and click Open.
- Select View by as Category, and click User Accounts.
- Select User Accounts again.
- Click Manage another account.
- Choose the user account you want to change.
- Click Change the account type.
- Select Administrator and click the Change Account Type button.
- Now log out and log in using the new account, and it can be the main account.
5. Use the Command Prompt
- Press the Windows key, type command prompt, and click Run as administrator.
- Copy & paste the following command to create a new username after replacing <new username> with the username that you want & <password> with the password you wish to use and hit Enter:
net user <new username> <password> /add - Once the account is created, type the following command and press Enter:
net localgroup administrators <new username> /add
- Now log out and log in using the new account, and it can be the primary account.
So, these are the methods you can use to change your main account on Windows 10.
We also recommend reading our guide on what to do if you can’t log into Windows 10 with the Microsoft account.
If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to mention them in the comments section below,
Srishti Sisodia
Windows Software Expert
Srishti Sisodia is an electronics engineer and writer with a passion for technology. She has extensive experience exploring the latest technological advancements and sharing her insights through informative blogs.
Her diverse interests bring a unique perspective to her work, and she approaches everything with commitment, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. That’s why she’s part of Windows Report’s Reviewers team, always willing to share the real-life experience with any software or hardware product. She’s also specialized in Azure, cloud computing, and AI.
Solution 1:[1]
Press «windows(symbol) + x». Select «Control Panel». Select «user account». Select «Manage user account». Choose the local account you want it to be default then Login with local account and restart.
Solution 2:[2]
Step 1: Go to the «search bar» beside the windows symbol on.
Step 2: Type «control panel» in the search bar. Select the app
Step 3: Press «User Accounts».
Step 4: Press «change your account type » option.
Step 4: Select «Administrator».
Step 5: Press «Change Account Type» button.
Solution 3:[3]
Create a Profile Setup Account
1. Create a new local user account named ProfileSetup (Note: the name does not matter but should be something that would not match another string in the stock Windows registry. You will be searching the registry for the name of the user you use to configure the profile. Using a unique name will make this easier.)
a. Open Control Panel > Add or remove user accounts
b. If there is already an account named ProfileSetup and you want to start over with a new account, delete the existing account and then create a new one:
i. Click on the ProfileSetup user
ii. Click Delete the account
iii. Click Delete Files
iv. Click Delete Account
c. Click Create a new account
d. Enter the account name: ProfileSetup
e. Click the radio button next to Administrator
f. Click Create Account
2. Set the password for the ProfileSetup account
a. Click on the ProfileSetup account
b. Click Create a password
c. Enter the password and click Create password
Configure the User Profile for the Profile Setup Account
1. Logout as Administrator and login as ProfileSetup
If you intend to arrange the icons on the desktop, use a screen size of 1024×768 when logged in as ProfileSetup. This is the default screen size that most users will use when they connect to VCL reservations. If you arrange the icons using a custom screen size, the icons most users see will be rearranged when they connect using the default size.
2. Customize the user profile while logged in as ProfileSetup account (configure the desktop background, arrange icons, etc). The following tips are optional:
Copy the Customized Profile to Default
1. Logout as ProfileSetup and login as Administrator
2. Rename the ProfileSetup user profile folder to Default:
a. Open a Windows Explorer window and navigate to C:\Users
b. Rename the original default profile folder: C:\Users\Default -> C:\Users\DefaultOriginal
c. Rename the customized profile folder: C:\Users\ProfileSetup -> C:\Users\Default
Note: if you are unable to rename the ProfileSetup folder, reboot the computer, login as Administrator, and try again. Run the following command from a command prompt to reboot the computer:
shutdown.exe -r -f -t 0
3. Copy the customized profile folder using the Windows profile copying utility:
Note: Windows 7 only allows its built-in profile copying utility to be used to copy the default profile, not profiles of other user accounts. The profile you customized now resides in the default profile location (C:\Users\Default) so the utility can now be used to make a copy of it.
a. Open Control Panel > System and Security > System
b. Click Advanced system settings on the left
c. Click the Settings… button under User Profiles
d. Highlight Default Profile
e. Click Copy To…
i. Copy profile to: C:\Users\DefaultCopy
ii. Click Change under Permitted to use
iii. Enter Everyone and click OK
iv. Click OK
4. Replace the original customized profile directory with the one created by the Windows profile copying utility
Note: C:\Users\Default contains the original customized profile. The same profile also resides in C:\Users\DefaultCopy. The DefaultCopy folder is the one which has had the Windows profile copying utility transformations applied to it.
a. Open Windows Explorer
b. Delete the “C:\Users\Default folder
c. Rename the folder: C:\UsersDefaultCopy -> C:\Users\Default
5. Delete the ProfileSetup account:
a. Open Control Panel > Add or remove user accounts
b. Click on the ProfileSetup account
c. Click Delete the account
d. Click Delete Files
e. Click Delete Account
Clean the Registry for the Customized Profile
1. While logged in as Administrator
2. Run regedit.exe
3. Select the HKEY_USERS hive:
-
Click the File menu and select Load Hive:
-
Browse to C:\Users\Default
-
Enter ntuser.dat in the File name: field (Note: this file is hidden so it normally is not displayed in the list of files)
-
Enter a Key Name: DU
-
Navigate to: HKEY_USERS\DU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
You will probably see the path to the ProfileSetup account’s original user profile directory saved in many of the values as highlighted below. This can cause problems with programs which use these values. For example, a user may save a file to the Desktop from within a program, but the saved file doesn’t appear on the user’s desktop.
-
Delete all of the values under Shell Folders except for (Default) and «!Do not use this registry key»:
-
Select the DU key in the left pane
- Click on the Edit menu and select Find…
- Search the DU key for the string ProfileSetup. In general, you want to clean up everything that references the user named ProfileSetup and the C:\Users\ProfileSetup directory. There will probably be several places under DU where these are saved. You will need to analyze each match. Most matches won’t cause problems. Some will such as the Shell Folders key you previously cleaned up.
- IMPORTANT: Unload the Default user registry hive:
a. Select the DU key
b. Click the File menu and select Unload hive…
Any new local user accounts created on the computer should receive a user profile configured with the customizations you made to the Profile account.
Copied from
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/VCL/How+to+Configure+the+Windows+Default+User+Profile