Same User, New Domain

Problem: User needed to be moved from one domain to another, while preserving all profile settings and files from network drives. The move also included moving the user from one Exchange server to another as an Outlook client.

Solution: For the purpose of this example, assume that the old domain is named X and that the new domain is named Y. Also assume that the user does not have a roaming profile. Finally assume that the administrator performing the move has at least read access to the network drive(s) in the X domain. Then do the following:

1. From the Y Domain administrator's workstation or server....
2. Define a userid in the Y domain named the same as the user in the X domain, and set up the appropriate logon script.
3. Create a personal directory for the new user in the Y domain.
4. Map the user's X domain drive(s) and copy the contents to the new directory in the Y domain.
5. From the user's workstation.....
6. If the user doesn't have administrative access to the machine, grant it now even if it's only temporary.
7. Have the user logon to the X domain as normal.
8. Go to the Control Panel "Mail" icon and look for any data file definitions. If any, make sure the files are on the local C: drive. If not make a copy of them, saving them somewhere on the C: drive. Get out of the Mail dialog.
9. Launch Outlook and export all mail, calendar and contact information from the server to a local .pst file. Then get out of Outlook.
10. Make sure you know the local Administrator's password at this point or you won't be able to logon after the reboot.
11. Go to the My Computer properties, Computer Name tab and change from the X domain to some tempory workgroup name. Before rebooting you can also change the computer name at this point, to the Y domain standard, if necessary (saves you one reboot if you do it now).
12. After the reboot, logon as the local administrator.
13. Go to the My Computer properties, Computer Name tab and change from the temporary workgroup to the Y domain. Before rebooting, add any users or groups from the Y domain desired to have administrative access. Reboot.
14. After the reboot, have the user logon to the Y domain.
15. Launch and configure Outlook to access the new Exchange server. Import the saved .pst file into Outlook. Get out of Outlook.
16. Copy the user's profile information from the userid.X to userid.Y. If you don't want to copy all the profile information, you must copy at least the following directories: Desktop, Favorites, My Documents and the Outlook stuff (path: C:\Documents and Settings\userid.X\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook)
17. Go to the Control Panel "Mail" icon and configure any data file definitions as they were on the X domain. Get out of the Mail dialog.
18. If the user previously had any shortcuts pointing to the old network drives, these of course will no longer work. Make new shortcuts pointing to the new network drive(s).

That should do it....