I would like to force Windows 7 to always load the temporary profile when a user logs off and back on. Is there a reliable way to force this to happen each time?
Background: if you are familiar with Windows Steady State for Windows XP, I am trying to replicate the "lock the desktop" feature, which clears the the desktop, my docs, etc, and most user history at a logoff. Then, when a new user logs on, that user is presented with a like-new computer. This is different than what Windows Disk Protection (and 3rd party products such as DeepFreeze) does, as it does not require a restart, only a logoff/logon, and only erases certain changes that a user has made (a restart would be performed at night, wiping the machine and restoring it to a like-new state).
Again, the idea is to let each user work in a new, unpolluted space, and then have that space cleaned at each logoff/logon to preserve privacy and to give the next user the same clean desktop, etc to work with. Windows Steady State is not available for Windows 7 and I have yet to find an acceptable alternative\solution for "locking the desktop." This temporary profile seems like it could be the answer, but I have only seen it referenced in posts where it was an unwanted annoyance.
Thanks in advance, and if I need to be more clear, I will be.
Best Answer
The temporary user profile is loaded whenever the user's own profile cannot be loaded - i.e. due to permission problems or disk space issues.
However, there is no need to abuse the temporary user profile to get a locked-down user configuration. Making a user's profile mandatory would prevent any changes to be saved as well, but still allow the administrator for profile customization.