Exclude certain directories from roaming profiles in Windows NT | TechRepublic (2024)

Roaming profiles ensure that users can access their personal
settings no matter what machine they log on to. But these profiles can grow
over time and consequently make logons very slow.

However, you can use Windows NT’s ExcludeProfileDirs
registry setting to exclude certain directories from replication, which can
help control the size of user profiles. Follow these steps:

1. Start
   the Registry Editor. (Go to Start | Run, and type regedt32.exe.)
2. Navigate
   to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.
3. From
   the Edit menu, select New | String Value.
4. Enter ExcludeProfileDirs, and press
   [Enter].
5. Double-click
   the new value, and enter the relevant areas to exclude, separating them by
   semicolons (for example, Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook;
   Temporary Internet Files; Personal).
6. Close
   the Registry Editor, and restart the system.

You can also exclude certain directories from roaming
profiles by creating a system policy. Follow these steps:

1. Start
   the System Policy Editor, and load the Common.adm and Winnt.adm templates.
2. Create
   a new policy.
3. Double-click
   Default User.
4. Expand
   Windows NT User Profiles.
5. Select
   Exclude Directories In Roaming Profile.
6. In the
   data box, enter the names of the directories you want to exclude.

Note: Editing the
registry is risky, so be sure you have a verified backup before making any
changes.