User Account Migration

[Big Jim]

I have a windows 8.1 machine that I want to join to a domain, and the user has lots of files and settings.

As it is windows 8.1 the easy transfer tool no longer works, so I tried USMT but it only transferred files not settings.

Is there a 3rd party tool that can be used.


I have already tried renaming the user folder etc but all that has done is caused the user to have to recover their account every day.

 

[Computer Bloke]

Fab's AutoBackup.

The best thing to come out of France since Camembert.

 

[mikeroq]

This tool will do it. I use this all the time. Converts a profile to a domain account or accounts between domains.

https://www.forensit.com/domain-migration.html

 

[nlinecomputers]

This tool will do it. I use this all the time. Converts a profile to a domain account or accounts between domains.

https://www.forensit.com/domain-migration.html

Yep. This works wonders.

 

[Skins]

Had a buddy asking for this exact thing the other day. Definitely a good addition to the took kit as well. Thanks for the recommendations!

 

[cyabro]

This tool will do it. I use this all the time. Converts a profile to a domain account or accounts between domains.

https://www.forensit.com/domain-migration.html

This is the one, better than Fabs as it doesn't actually have to transfer the data from one profile to another.

 

[AlexCa]

This is the one, better than Fabs as it doesn't actually have to transfer the data from one profile to another.

I had to do this recently, this is what I did (this assumes that the account name is to remain the same):

- removed the computer from the old domain;

- add the computer to the new domain;

- reboot and login to the new domain;

- logoff, and login as local admin;

- delete the newly (empty) created profile folder (that would be named something like "username.newdomain"), while keeping the old profile folder (named something like "username") that contains the user data;

- go to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList" and delete the key that corresponds to "username.newdomain" profile, while keeping the key that corresponds to "username" profile;

- Reboot and login to the new domain, and you'll no longer enter to a new profile folder, but to the old profile folder that already contains all the user information.

ps: remember to delete old info from the credential manager once logged in in the new domain.

 

[mikeroq]

I had to do this recently, this is what I did (this assumes that the account name is to remain the same):

- removed the computer from the old domain;

- add the computer to the new domain;

- reboot and login to the new domain;

- logoff, and login as local admin;

- delete the newly (empty) created profile folder (that would be named something like "username.newdomain"), while keeping the old profile folder (named something like "username") that contains the user data;

- go to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList" and delete the key that corresponds to "username.newdomain" profile, while keeping the key that corresponds to "username" profile;

- Reboot and login to the new domain, and you'll no longer enter to a new profile folder, but to the old profile folder that already contains all the user information.

You should try using that tool. It can also join the domain for you. Then you enter the domain account and pick the local account or domain account on the computer you want to be attached to the new domain account. No need to manually leave domain, join the domain, login as admin, edit the registry, or delete any folders. Corporate edition can even migrate all the profiles at once.

 

[AlexCa]

You should try using that tool. It can also join the domain for you. Then you enter the domain account and pick the local account or domain account on the computer you want to be attached to the new domain account. No need to manually leave domain, join the domain, login as admin, edit the registry, or delete any folders. Corporate edition can even migrate all the profiles at once.

Looks great, i might try it next time. Thank you.

 

[Big Jim]

worked flawlessly.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

What data needs to be moved?

In my experience.....those "migration tools" can also bring over a lot of junk/bugs/crap that you're better off leaving behind. Often the user only needs a few things brought over, and it's good to learn how to move those manually (since after all, you're an IT person..always good to know how to manually move over data individually).

I log into the domain as the user, and then either from the local workstation, or, from the server going across the LAN via \\computername\c$\users.....manually copy over what I need. It's quite easy, gets only the minimal data needed...resulting in a nice fresh clean "glitch/bug free" user profile on the domain.

 

[Pixelated Tech]

What data needs to be moved?

In my experience.....those "migration tools" can also bring over a lot of junk/bugs/crap that you're better off leaving behind. Often the user only needs a few things brought over, and it's good to learn how to move those manually (since after all, you're an IT person..always good to know how to manually move over data individually).

I log into the domain as the user, and then either from the local workstation, or, from the server going across the LAN via \\computername\c$\users.....manually copy over what I need. It's quite easy, gets only the minimal data needed...resulting in a nice fresh clean "glitch/bug free" user profile on the domain.

I recommend this same approach for the exact same reasons. Move what you need and nothing more. In a corporate setting (or for any business setting for that matter), minimizing the potential for other preexisting issues means less downtime and wasted man power.

Using your own RoboCopy script and defining what you need is my approach.

 

[Big Jim]

What data needs to be moved?

In my experience.....those "migration tools" can also bring over a lot of junk/bugs/crap that you're better off leaving behind. Often the user only needs a few things brought over, and it's good to learn how to move those manually (since after all, you're an IT person..always good to know how to manually move over data individually).

I log into the domain as the user, and then either from the local workstation, or, from the server going across the LAN via \\computername\c$\users.....manually copy over what I need. It's quite easy, gets only the minimal data needed...resulting in a nice fresh clean "glitch/bug free" user profile on the domain.

You are of course right, nothing actually NEEDED moving, but it isn't an issue because this user's profile had no glitches or bugs, because he like me is a Tech so has a good understanding of what breaks windows and tends not to do that

We are a 2 man operation

 

[TurricanII]

FABS is a fantastic tool, although the ForensIT tool looks better suited to larger enterprises - both look great.

The important thing for me was to get away from manual drag/drops of files, or ROBOCOPY. So much time picking through what to keep and what to leave. Then you invariably miss something and have to fire up the old machine. Using an automated tool is definitely the way to go - consistent, predictable and quick results that any member of staff with varying skills can use. WIN WIN WIN!

@AlexCa - I used to do this with XP but since Win8 it seemed to stop working. User would log in and get logged off immediately, or would get logged in with a temporary profile! Part of the process should probably involve resetting permissions on the profile folder for the new user account. Too much messing around for me these days

 

[AlexCa]

@TurricanII, I've being doing it for Windows 7. So far haven't had the need to do it for Windows 8 or above.