Default User NTUSER.DAT Not Retaining Modified Registry Values for New Users

Question

I modified the NTUSER.DAT file inside C:\Users\Default to set custom values for HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors. Specifically, I changed the Window color (REG_SZ) to 111 111 111.

After making these changes, I verified that newly created registry keys persist correctly when a new user logs in. However, pre-existing keys (like "Window") are reset to Windows default values (255 255 255) instead of the modified values.

My observations:

1. New keys remain unchanged, meaning the modified NTUSER.DAT is loading.
2. Only existing keys revert to default, suggesting something is modifying them after the profile is created.
3. This happens only when logging in as a new user—if I edit an existing user's NTUSER.DAT, the changes persist correctly.

Questions:

• What process is responsible for resetting existing registry values after NTUSER.DAT is loaded?
• Is there a way to prevent Windows from overriding these values?
• How can I ensure my modified colors remain for all newly created users?I modified the NTUSER.DAT file inside C:\Users\Default to set custom values for HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors. Specifically, I changed the Window color (REG_SZ) to 111 111 111. After making these changes, I verified that newly created registry keys persist correctly when a new user logs in. However, pre-existing keys (like "Window") are reset to Windows default values (255 255 255) instead of the modified values. My observations:
  1. New keys remain unchanged, meaning the modified NTUSER.DAT is loading.
  2. Only existing keys revert to default, suggesting something is modifying them after the profile is created.
  3. This happens only when logging in as a new user—if I edit an existing user's NTUSER.DAT, the changes persist correctly.
  Questions:
  • What process is responsible for resetting existing registry values after NTUSER.DAT is loaded?
  • Is there a way to prevent Windows from overriding these values?
  • How can I ensure my modified colors remain for all newly created users?

Answer 1

Any solutions out there?