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How does a Roaming Profile work?

For profiles to work; the server must be available, the computer must be Windows XP and you must be authenticated as a user.

The first time you shut down (or log off) the computer, after your roaming profile is created, all of your files will be copied to the server. Depending on the amount of data on your computer this process may take some time. Subsequent log offs take less time as it only tracks changed files.

As part of the login process, Windows will download your saved "roaming profile" to the computer. When you log onto a different computer (one other than your own) all of your documents are copied to that computer; and this may take several minutes as well. When you log onto your own computer, if there are no changes to write, there is no delay.

Although all of your files will be on any computer you log onto, they are only available to your profile (when your username and password are used to log on). If you are aware that you have a large amount of data on your computer please be considerate about logging onto someone else's computer.

When you log out of Windows any changes or updated files will be copied back to the server, regardless of what computer you are using.

NOTE: Do NOT log onto more than one computer at the same time as this will result in the loss of data.