Question
I have been swapping out
computers as well as transfering user profiles for customers. The way I have been doing it is creating a copy of all files including hidden files within the users old profile and copying them to the new
computer. I would have them logon to the system then have them log off. Then I would log in as an administrator and copy the files from the old profile and paste them in the new profile that was created from them logging in. Every once and a while a user will be unable to edit or save any type of document (excel, word, etc.) nor able to open/save attachments to emails within Outlook. With documents they seem to only have read only rights. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Solution
The problem is that you did this while logged on as the Admin. Now, since the Admin created those files (as far as Win XP is concerned) the Admin account is the owner. By default your user (unless an admin him/herself) would not have full access to the files - including the Outlook pst files you moved over.
Check the file/folder permissions/security/ownership. I'll bet the Admin account has ownership and is the only account with full permissions.
As admin, add the user account to the folders/file (*just to folders and allow propagation to child objects if they contain many files) and give them "full" permissions. Then go in as the user and take ownership.
I have seen this happen before.