roaming profiles cleanup

Roaming Profiles

FINE TUNING THE ROAMING PROFILE TO INCREASE SPEED OF THE LOGON/LOGOFF

There are a number of tasks that should be done to assure a faster logon/logoff process for the client. Because this is a long process, you should try to do it when the client is away and the PC is freed up. You should consider expending most of a day on this process.

Some of the work cleans up the roaming profiles and some cleans up the local profile/PC only, while some does both.

However, if you do this process while the client is away, then you will need to work carefully with the client:

Tell the client you are going to change his or her password so that you can work on the PC

Find out when the client will be back in the office so you know how much time you will need (allow yourself a full day) before the client is back in

Instruct the client to see you before he or she attempts to log back in so that you can have the password changed (via AD) back to what it was before the work was done

Stay with the client to assist in any changes/fixes that need to be done

Tell the client to keep you posted as to whether or not he or she experiences any problems over the next couple of days.

In short, this work should be done carefully and fully coordinated with the client. Keep their respective team leader informed as you begin and end the work.

FIRST STEPS

1. Go to the end of this section and print out the client’s hand-out sheet titled “Client Roaming Profile and PC Cleaning Hand-Out Sheet”. You will be writing information on this document and giving it to the client after your work.

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Roaming Profiles

PRECAUTIONARY PROCEDURES

1. Go to the client’s PC and reboot it. Do not log in at this point.

2. Launch Active Directory (AD) and assure that the client is a member of the following two security groups: Comm_Eng_Desktop_Access and Help_Desk_Desktop_Access

NOTE TO OTHER READERS OUTSIDE OF MY ORGANIZATION: The above security groups areused to give administrative access to the clients. Yes, I know that is not always wise, but in ourenvironment it is necessary.

3. While in AD, find the ID of the client, as you will need it later. Write it down.

NOTE: If you have spoken to the client about changing the client’s password to a temporary password, change it at this time. Make sure you tell the client what the password is.

4. Log onto the roaming profile server, find the client’s profile, and make a note of the size of the profile.

NOTE: Enter this amount in MB on the client’s hand-out sheet that you printed (above).

5. While on the roaming profile server, copy the client’s profile to another area.

NOTE: I suggest creating a new folder on the roaming profile server and calling it something such as HOLDFORDAYTON. Copy (not move) the profile FOLDER and all of its contents to the holding area. (Make yourself a note to go back in 2-3 days after the client is happy with the results with the work and delete your holding area.)

6. While at the client’s profile on the roaming profile server, determine if there is a folder in the root of the profile called PrivacIE. If there is, determine if there is an index.dat file within it. If so, delete the FILE. Do not delete the PrivacIE folder. This folder and file will be explained later.

7. Empty the Recycle Bin

8. Go to the client’s home folder and copy same to the above holding area.

NOTE TO OTHER READERS OUTSIDE OF MY ORGANIZATION: Depending upon how you have named the clients home folder, you might have to create a subfolder first and then copy the home folder to it. For example, let’s say the name of the profile is Doe, John and the name of the home folder is also Doe, John. In my example, what I would do is create a HOLDFORDAYTON folder, and then I would first copy the Doe, John PROFILE folder to it. Next I would create a HOLDFORDAYTON/DOE subfolder and copy the Doe, John HOME folder to that. If you don’t do this, then you will overwrite the profile folder with the home folder within the HOLDFORDAYTON folder.

9. While in the client’s production home folder make a new subfolder called HoldMyDocuments. We will redirect My Documents to this folder later.

10. Log out of the roaming profile server.


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11. Boot the client’s PC into SAFE MODE WITH NETWORKING (while booting, press F8).

12. Log onto the PC as LOCALADMIN and find the client’s profile (i.e., Documents and Setting\<user>)

13. Copy the client’s PC profile FOLDER and all of its contents to some place for safe-keeping.

NOTE: I would suggest that you map to the roaming profile server and copy the PC’s version of the profile to the holding area (e.g., HOLDFORDAYTON) that you created above. When you map, you will probably have to use the domain admin ID and password.

13. Launch the PC’s Manager and look at Users and Groups. Assure that the Comm_Eng_Desktop_Access and Help_Desk_Desktop_Access groups are both in the local Administrators group.

NOTE TO OTHER READERS OUTSIDE OF MY ORGANIZATION: Depending upon how you setup your PC environment, this step or something like it, might not be necessary. Again, this is for providing administrative powers to the clients.

14. Boot PC with Windows in NORMAL MODE

15. Log onto the PC as the client in the domain

16. Create a restore point

NOTE: Before doing any of the following work, you should create a Windows restore point. You will find this at Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. Give the restore point a name such as “Before roaming profile cleanup”.


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Roaming Profiles

PREPPING THE PC

The concept here is to get the PC as clean and functional as possible.

Again, from the previous page, you should be logged on as the client.

1. If Windows Search is on the PC, uninstall it via Add/Remove programs (do not boot)

NOTE: Windows Search is that tiny search window, usually found on the bottom right tray. However, if you don’t see it in the bottom tray, take the time to look for it in Add/Remove programs.

2. If Spybot is on the PC, uninstall it (do not boot)

3. Look for remnants of Spybot (e.g., in Program Files) and delete

NOTE: You MIGHT have to temporarily log off as the client and log on as the local admin (or domain admin to delete left-over folders and file related to Spybot.

4. Run Microsoft Updates

NOTE: Since you might have removed the Windows Search (above) at this time click on Software, Optional and find Windows Search. Expand it and check the “Do not show this update again”.

5. Delete paging file (this is only a temporary measure to assist in the defragging below)

6. Boot PC

7. Assure NIC is still set at 100 MB FULL

NOTE TO OTHER READERS OUTSIDE OF MY ORGANIZATION: Whatever you have your NICs set at, just assure that any Windows Update has not changed the setting, and, yes, I have seen this happen.

8. Delete the blue colored Windows “Uninstall” files

NOTE: Within the C:\Windows folders might be a great deal of uninstall files (e.g. $NtUninstallKB956744$). They are usually blue in color. If something has been installed and has not had to be uninstalled for a number of weeks, and certainly months, then it is time to delete them. Be careful when you do this work, but delete any of these files that are more than a month old. I am only recommending deleting files that have names formatted in the above manner. There are other “blue” folders out there. I don’t know what they are, and so I suggest that you leave them alone. What I do is sort by the “date modified” column.



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Roaming Profiles

10. Delete the odd-ball folders

NOTE: I fully admit that this is more of an irritation with me and not much more. But there are files that are placed on the PC that follow a random format and can be found in the root folder of the C-Drive. For example: 53f3662c64267b80d1b2f896. I hate them. I don’t know what they are for. I know when I delete them, the PCs seem to run better and I have never seen any adverse affects to the PCs and their performance when I do delete them. They take up space. Let’s get rid of them:

a. Right click on the odd-ball folderb. Click Propertiesc. Click Securityd. Click Advancede. Click Ownerf. Highlight Administratorsg. Check ON “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects”h. Click OKi. Click OKj. Assure you are highlighting the correct folderk. Delete it

If there are any more odd-ball folders as described above, repeat the process.

11. Delete the Move Media Player cache.

NOTE: This lovely little piece of junk is provided to us by Move Networks. There is nothing such as the Java applet that allows us to keep it cleaned, or nothing that I could find so far, and so we have to hand-delete the files. I have seen this folder well above 150 MB and it is within the profile and so roams. Not everyone client will have Move Networks.

a. Go here: C:\Documents and Settings\<user>Application Data\Move Networks\QMCache00b. Keep the folder, but highlight and delete all files within it.

12. Delete installer files on desktop.

NOTE: For some reason, client’s by design or by mistake will place an installer file right on the desktop, instead of saving it to, let’s say, a “download” top-level folder. (NOTE: Adobe Reader installs are famous for dropping the entire installer files onto the desktop.) If it is on the desktop, then it is part of the profile. Note that not everyone will have large files on their desktop, but if they do, they must be removed.


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Roaming Profiles

13. Delete the Adobe files.

NOTE: Care must be taken that you go to the correct place when cleaning. And, not every PC will need cleaning. What happens is that people will install the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader without cleaning out the older versions. It is my suggestion that you delete the files of the older version, surf out to the Internet and download the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader (just Google it; it’s free), and install the latest version. The old files can usually be found at the following location, and so look here first:C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Adobe\Acrobat

14. Delete the temp files.

NOTE: Temp files build up over time and can eat up space. Do not delete temp folders/files that are manually created by the client. However, try to delete the files within the follow folder (do not delete the folder…also, there might be some files that you cannot delete, and you should not worry with deleting them): C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Temp


NOTE: Check the properties of the C-drive. What we are trying to do is get the free space to be more than the used space, if only by a little. If the free space is still below the used space, then do a search on *.dmp and see if there are any *.dmp files that can be deleted. If not, then simply proceed to the next step, unless you can think of anything else that can be cleaned up without causing problems. If you DO find anything to delete, then delete it, and empty the Recycle Bin again.


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Roaming Profiles

ROAMING PROFILE TWEAKING AND CLEANUP WORK

1. IMPORTANT: Assure that you are logged on the PC AS THE CLIENT

2. Redirect the My Documents folder as described in the following steps

a. Right-click My Documents within Windows Explorer (NOT Internet Explorer)b. Click Propertiesc. Click Move (as seen below)d. Browse to the clients Z-Drive and drill into the HoldMyDocuments folder that you created abovee. Click Applyf. Click Yesg. Let the PC perform any quick action it needs to doh. Click OK


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Roaming Profiles

3. Clean up the Java cache. This is very important as over time, this cache can grow to a couple hundred megabytes or more:

a. Open Control Panelb. Click on the Java appletc. Within the Temporary Internet Files section, Click Settings

d. After you click on Settings you will be presented with one of two groups of screens. I will show you the older Java screens and what to do with them first, and then I will show you the newer Java screens and what to do. When you click on the above Settings button, then look for the first screen of each group below and determine which procedure you should follow.


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Roaming Profiles

OLDER JAVA SCREENS

The first screen is the default screen. You will want to make it look like the second screen. By setting the amount of used disk space to 1 byte, we are essentially trying to eliminate any caching. Click the Delete Files button. Click OK. Depending on how large the cache is will determine the delete time, though it should not take long. Click OK out of the applet.


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NEWER JAVA SCREENS

The first screen is the default screen. You will want to make it look like the second screen. First, take the slider bar and move it all the way to the left. Next, UNcheck “Keep temporary files on my computer”. Click the Delete Files button. Click OK. Depending on how large the cache is will determine the delete time, though it should not take long. Click OK out of the applet.


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Roaming Profiles

4. Delete any remaining Java cache files

NOTE: Even though you would think the above has just deleted all of the Java cache files, that is not always the case. Therefore go to the following area and delete the files:C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\Cache. Keep the Cache folder, but delete any an all subfolders and files beneath it.

5. Delete the index.dat file found within PrivacIE. (Read all notes.)

NOTES:

a. Before you proceed with the following steps, note that not all clients have this file. Why, I do not know. Or, some PrivacIE folders are not displayed while logged on as the client. In order to try to see it, try logging on as the localadmin of as the PATeam admin.

b. Also, if you recall, at the beginning of this document, you did some work on the roaming profile at the client’s profile. At THAT time, you were instructed to delete the index.dat file within PrivacIE. If you DID that step, then you MIGHT NOT have to do the following and may proceed to the next step, “Clean up the QuickTime Player cache” (currently step 7).

c. IMPORTANT UPDATE : Since I first started this section, I have worked with this file some more, and I have found probably an easier way to take care of this file without installing CCleaner, as in the following pages. Instead, do this. 1) By this point you should have already deleted the index.dat file on the roaming profile server. 2) Now log onto the PC as localadmin or domain admin, go to the user’s profile, find the index.dat file within PrivacIE (assuming there is one there) and delete it. If you do the delete in this manner, then you can just go to the next step, which at this time is #7 (Clean up the QuickTime Player cache). Don’t forget to empty the trash can.

SIDE NOTE: The index.dat file found within the \Documents and Settings\<user>\PrivacIE is considered by privacy groups to be an invasion of privacy. This file contains every site and pretty much every click that you have done on your computer. This file can grow to megabytes in size, and so we need to delete it from time to time to keep it under control. This file changes every day and so is downloaded and uploaded each time a person logs on/off. Note also that there are numerous index.dat files on a PC. But, we are going after this specific one.


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Roaming Profiles

6. If they do not have the file (or if you were able to delete the file via the “C” IMPORTANT UPDATE note above), skip this entire section and go to the next step, “Clean up the QuickTime Player cache” (currently step 7).

REMINDER: You must still be logged on as the client to do this work; otherwise you are not deleting the client’s index.dat file. For example, if you were logged on as the domain admin, you would be deleting the domain admin’s index.dat file.

a. Install CCleaner if not already on the PC. Check the check boxes as indicated below

NOTE: CCleaner can be found via Google.

b. Launch CCleanerc. Click Optionsd. Click Includee. Click Add File and browse to the index.dat file as seen in the example below

BE VERY CAREFUL FROM THIS POINT FORWARD. KEEP READING.


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Roaming Profiles

f. Click on Cleanerg. Click on the Windows tabh. UNcheck all of the boxes, except the one, as indicated below


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i. Click on the Applications tabj. UNcheck all of the boxes, as indicated below


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NOTE: What we have done in the last two screens is simply precautionary in nature. Although it is probably a good idea to do a lot of this cleaning, i.e. keeping the check marks, we will let that up to the client at this time, as some of the cleaning can remove passwords and such used on the Internet. All we want to do is delete that index.dat file.

k. Click the Analyze button at the bottom of the screen


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NOTE: You should only see the one file appear on the right-hand window. If you see more than this, double check your work and/or ask a team member for assistance.

l. Click the Run Cleaner button at the bottom of the screenm. Click OK


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Roaming Profiles

n. Click the Analyze button again, and zero files should appear. If not, ask a team member for assistance.

o. Close CCleanerp. Do NOT log out yet


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Roaming Profiles

7. Clean up the QuickTime Player cache

a. Launch QuickTime Player (some people might not have it; look closely in All Program for it)b. Click Editc. Click Preferencesd. Click QuickTime Preferencese. Click Advancedf. Move slider bar to the far leftg. Click Empty Cache buttonh. Click Applyi. Click OKj. Double check that all old files have been deleted by going here:

C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer\QuickTime\downloadsKeep the “downloads” folder, but delete all files and folders under it.

8. Assure that Windows Defender is on the PC and run the scan against the PC.

NOTE TO OTHER READERS OUTSIDE OF MY ORGANIZATION: You might not use Defender at your organization. This is going to be your call. We can no longer use Spybot due to Spybot’s new corporate policies.

NOTE: If you have to install the Windows Defender, choose “Install Definition Updates Only” at the prompt and choose “Complete” at the prompt. Windows Defender can be found at SASoftware Windows/Client. Within Tools>Options, turn OFF automatic scan.

9. Run the Defender scan against the PC. Do a custom scan (see note).

NOTE: Prior to running the scan, change the scans to do a custom scan:

a. Launch Defenderb. Click the little down arrow to the right of scan c. Click custom scan d. Choose radio button Scan selected drives and folders e. Click select buttonf. Check the C-driveg. Click OKh. Click Scan now button.

Once the C-drive is done, go back and uncheck the C-drive and check the Z-drive and do the scan. (I know that this sounds odd, i.e. why don’t we just check the C-drive and the Z-drive at the same time. What I have found is what seems to be a bug. If I check both the C-drive and the Z-drive at the same time and run the scan, what I have seen is Defender at various times trying to scan PA-Telecom (P-Drive) and we don’t want that.)

10. Perform a shutdown (not restart) on the PC

11. Let the PC stay shutdown for about 30 seconds to a minute

12. Boot the PC and log on as the CLIENT


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Roaming Profiles

13. Run Defraggler

NOTE: If it is not already installed on the PC, install it and run it. Defraggler can be found via Google. The installation is a very easy process. You will be prompted with two check boxes. UNcheck the box to put the utility on the desktop. The Defraggler defrag process is not a very fast process, and so you should allow at least two hours or more to run it. Defrag the entire PC. Do NOT do a Quick Defrag, as we need it to be thorough, at least when it is first installed.

14. Place paging file back on PC, making it static and taking the recommended size as indicated on the applet (e.g. 1519). DON’T FORGET TO DO THIS.

15. Log off of the PC again (do NOT shutdown)

16. Wait five minutes (take a break)

17. Log back onto the PC as the CLIENT

At this point, you are almost done, but you might have to tweak the client’s desktop. For example, you MIGHT have to re-install Outlook and setup the profile. If there is READILY something that you can see that needs to be done, go ahead and do it. However, if nothing needing “fixed” is readily apparent, then now it is time to stop, until you have the client sitting with you.

18. Log off of the PC (do not boot)

19. Review the Extra Cleaning section below and then go to the Wrap-up section.

WRAP-UP

1. Inform the team leader that you have finished the work.

2. If the client is not in the office when you have completed your work, tape the hand-out to the PC, otherwise hand it to the client.

3. Since you most likely will have changed the client’s password, the hand-out sheet explains to the client what must be done to change the password. Get with the client and assure that all is operational.


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Roaming Profiles

EXTRA CLEANING

This section is here mainly to provide some guidance on tasks that can be done that might help to clean up a PC and, therefore, maybe clean the roaming profile of a client. This section should be added to, as more tasks are determined. Note, however, if you feel you have the roaming profile size (AS NOTED ON THE FILE SERVER) to a good size, do NOT feel compelled to do any of the following.

1. Remove and re-install Adobe Acrobat Reader.

NOTE: Sometimes Adobe installs programs on the PC that we really do no need or want. All we really want is the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader. We do not want the Adobe manager constantly pinging our PCs looking to do upgrades. If we feel we need to upgrade Acrobat Reader, we can do it on our own. And, Adobe Air really doesn’t provide us much that we need in our business.

a. Launch Control Panelb. Uninstall Adobe Airc. Uninstall Adobe Acrobat Readerd. Uninstall the Adobe Managere. Uninstall Adobe Flashf. Go to the Adobe download website, currently http://www.adobe.com/downloads/g. Click to download and install Adobe Reader

NOTE: Whether you want it or not, Adobe will probably, once again, install Adobe Air and the Adobe Manager. You will remove it shortly.

h. Go back to the Adobe download website http://www.adobe.com/downloads/i. Click to download and install Adobe Flash Playerj. Launch Control Panelk. If Adobe Air has been installed again, uninstall itl. If Adobe Manager has been installed again, uninstall it


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http://www.adobe.com/downloads/

http://www.adobe.com/downloads/

Roaming Profiles

CLIENT ROAMING PROFILE AND PC CLEANING HAND-OUT SHEET

CLIENT: _______________________________________________

I have finished my work in regards to cleaning your roaming profile and PC. Remember that I have most likely changed your password, and so you will need to see me or another one of my team members to change your password. Or if you remember what the password is that I used, log on with it, and then change it.

Here are some things I wanted you to know.

Your original profile size was: _________________

Your present profile size is: _________________

Your folder “My Documents” has been redirected out of your profile and to your home folder to a subfolder called “HoldMyDocuments”. This is being done for all clients to reduce roaming profile load times.

I recommend that you take care not to put extremely large files on your desktop. For example, shortcuts and such are fine. However, if you accidentally, or by design, place an installer file/folder on your desktop, it will become part of your profile and will slow your profile down considerably. If I have seen anything at THIS time that you should be aware of, I will note it below.

NOTE: _________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Consider deleting your temporary internet files from time to time, as they can grow to several megabytes and will contribute to the slowness in loading your roaming profile.

NOTE: Keep in mind, however, that the process of deleting internet files on your PC MIGHT delete saved IDs and passwords to internet sites that you visit. Therefore, be sure you have those passwords recorded someplace, BEFORE you do any deleting.

Also, if you prefer, we have a utility that will clean the Internet files quite thoroughly and will also clean your PC’s registry, which will contribute to speeding up your PC. If you would prefer that we run this utility for you, please ask. Again, though, make sure you have your internet IDs and passwords saved someplace, as this process will clean them, i.e. you will have to re-type them when you go back to an internet site for the first time. The utility backs up the registry before it performs the registry cleaning, should the registry need to be restored.

I hope that the PC performs better for you now. If it gives you any problems, please contact me.


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