XenDesktop 5 and Windows 7 Default Profile

First, Create the base image, and base application installs.

Second, configure the applications, Desktop, Start menu and any other settings you want every new user to get.

Third, Create a new Local Administrator user account. Note that step two HAS to be done with a LOCAL user. Once everything is set the way you want, login with the new user account. Browse to C:\Users\ Rename "Default" to "Default-OLD" or whatever makes sense to you. Then make a copy of the first Administrator's account folder. Once it has successfully copied Rename it to "Default".

Fourth, Run Sysprep… Yeah I know it is a pain, but so far this is the only way to really make this work every time. To run sysprep logout of the Second Administrator's account and back in to the First. Disable the Second Admin account, and Delete the Users Profile. Now browse to c:\windows\system32\sysprep\ Run sysprep leaving all defaults.

Fifth, Run back through the Windows 7 Setup wizard and you are all set, don't forget to join it to the domain.

Now all you have to do is run the update wizard within XenDesktop 5.

Thanks for reading, Lawrence

Original: http://blog.ntcrash.biz/2011/04/29/xendesktop-5-and-windows-7-default-profile/