How to Configure and Use a Roaming User

03/31/2026
Léna Martinez

Dragon Professional :

This guide will walk you step by step through configuring, creating, and using a roaming user profile with Dragon Professional.

The Roaming User feature allows the same Dragon profile to be used on multiple workstations while keeping settings, corrections, and voice data synchronized via a centralized network location.

  1. Understanding How Roaming Users Work
  2. Prepare the Network Environment
  3. Enable the Roaming User Feature
  4. Define the Master Profile Location
  5. Configure the Local Location (Local Roaming Profile)
  6. Advanced Management Options
  7. Create a Roaming User
  8. Open a Roaming User
  9. Best Practices and Recommendations

  1. Understanding How Roaming Users Work

    A roaming user operates according to the following principle:

    • A master profile is stored on a network location.

    • When a user opens their profile on a workstation, Dragon creates a temporary local copy.

    • Upon closing the profile, changes are automatically synchronized with the master profile

    ⚠️ Configuration must be performed from a Windows account with administrator rights..

  2. Prepare the Network Environment

    Before enabling the feature, it is essential to:

    ✔ Determine the Network Storage Location

      You must choose:

    • A server or shared folder accessible to all relevant workstations

    • Sufficient storage space

    • Stable and secure access

    It is possible to configure multiple network locations if necessary.

    ✔ Configure Permissions

      The network folder must allow:

    • Read

    • Write

    • Modify

    for all relevant Windows users.

  3. Enable the Roaming User Feature

    On each relevant workstation:

    1. Open Dragon as Administrator.

    2. Go to: Tools > Administrative Settings

    3. Open the Roaming User tab

    4. Check Enable

    5. Click Apply

    Important Option

    You can allow opening:

    • Only roaming profiles

      • or

    • Both local and roaming profiles

    It is recommended to temporarily leave local profile access enabled if you need to convert existing profiles

  4. Define the Master Profile Location

    After activation:

    1. ClickAdd

    2. Enter:

      • Display Name (descriptive name)

      • Network Path (e.g., \Server\DragonUsers)

    3. If storing via a Web server:

      • Configure HTTP/HTTPS settings if needed

      • Test the connection before confirming

    4. ClickOK

    The location must be accessible from all workstations using Dragon.

  5. Configure the Local Location (Local Roaming Profile)

    When a user opens their master profile, a local copy is created automatically.

    Recommended default location:

    ProgramData\Nuance\NaturallySpeaking\RoamingUsers\

    It is strongly recommended to keep the default path.

    If you wish to change it:

    1. Select a new folder

    2. Create it if necessary

    3. Confirm

  6. Advanced Management Options

    Administrative settings also allow you to:

    • Choose the save mode upon closing

    • Allow or block non-roaming profiless

    • Define synchronization behavior

      • Important:

    • The Acoustic and Linguistic Optimizer must be run on the workstation hosting the master profile.

    • Synchronization occurs automatically during:

      • Dragon closure

      • User switch

      • Profile save

  7. Create a Roaming User

    There are three methods:

    Method 1: Create a New Roaming Profile

    1. Close any open profiles

    2. Click Profile > Open User

    3. Select the roaming location

    4. Click Create

    5. Complete voice training

    6. The profile will be automatically saved to the defined network location

    Method 2: Convert an Existing Local Profile

    1. Close the active profile

    2. Go to Manage Users

    3. Select the local profile

    4. Click Advanced

    5. Choose Save to Roaming

    6. Select the network location

    7. The profile will be copied to the master storage

    Method 3: Manually Copy a Profile

    1. Locate the local profile folder

    2. Copy the entire user folder

    3. Paste it into the master network directory

    Make sure to copy the entire folder structure.

  8. Open a Roaming User

    1. Close any active profiles

    2. Click Open User

    3. Select the roaming location

    4. Choose the profile

    5. Click Open

    If the profile does not appear, press F5 to refresh the list.

  9. Best Practices and Recommendations

      ✔ Always close Dragon properly to ensure synchronization

      ✔ Avoid modifying the master profile while a remote workstation is working offline

      ✔ Regularly check network permissions

      ✔ If using multiple microphones, configure audio sources in the same profile

    Synchronization: How it Works

    At each profile close or change:

    1. Changes are saved locally

    2. Then synchronized to the master profile

    3. The master profile becomes the updated official version

    Points to Note

    • HTTP profiles do not allow local profile creation.

    • When working offline, local changes may be overwritten if the master profile was modified in the meantime.

    • For data integrity, ensure a stable network connection.