How to Share User Profiles Between Two Domain Accounts on a Joined Machine

Two Domain Accounts Joined Machine: Sharing User Profiles

In a scenario where two domain accounts within a single domain are present on a joined machine, it is possible to share user profiles between these accounts. This article aims to provide a detailed explanation of how to achieve this, covering key concepts and using subtitles, paragraphs, and code blocks as needed.

Understanding User Profiles

User profiles store user-specific data, settings, and preferences on a computer. Each user on a machine typically has a unique profile, containing distinct documents, settings, and registry keys. When two domain accounts exist on a joined machine, the advantage of sharing user profiles is that it allows for centralized data storage and access, enhancing user experience and reducing data redundancy.

Prerequisites

To share user profiles of \User1 and \User2 on a joined machine, the following prerequisites should be met:

• Operating system: Windows Server 2016 or later
• Two domain accounts with the same username, e.g., \User1 and \User2
• Both users should be part of the same domain

Steps to Share User Profiles

The following steps should be carried out to share user profiles:

Step 1 - Back up User Data

Backup \User1 and \User2 user data to avoid data loss. A simple solution is:

 C:\Backup\User1\ /MIR
robocopy C:\Users\ C:\Backup\User2\ /MIR
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Step 2 - Create a New Profile Folder

Create a new profile folder, shared between the users:

Step 3 - Modify the Registry

Modify the registry to redirect user profiles:

# Set the values for the new key:
ProfileImagePath = C:\Users\SharedProfiles\User1
State = 0

# Repeat the process for the second user:
# Create a new key:
New Key 

# Set the values for the new key:
ProfileImagePath = C:\Users\SharedProfiles\User2
State = 0
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By following the steps outlined above, user profiles of two domain accounts in a single domain can be effectively shared on a joined machine. The benefits include centralized storage, access, and reduced redundancy. The prerequisites include a compatible operating system, two domain accounts with similar usernames, and sharing the same domain.

References

• User Profiles
• ROBOCOPY
• Create and Delete a User Profile Folder