Runas Utility Uses Default Profile When Invoked from Command Prompt If Not Using the /profile Switch (254094)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

This article was previously published under Q254094

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Runas utility without the /profile option from a command prompt, the default user profile is used instead of the profile of the impersonated user.

CAUSE

When programs use the default profile, files that are typically created in the per-user folders are created in the default user folder. An example of a per-user folder is the My Documents folder. If a program that is invoked from the Runas tool without the /profile switch saves a document in the My Documents folder, the file is saved in the default user My Documents folder, not the My Documents folder of the user that Runas is impersonating.

When you start Runas from Windows Explorer (instead of a command prompt), Runas uses the /profile switch by default. To start Runas from Windows Explorer, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, SHIFT+right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run As.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/13/2003
Keywords:kbprb kbtool KB254094