Software programs, such as an operating system or other application
programs, are automatically customized to a specific user(s) based on
data corresponding to the specific user(s) that is maintained in a user
information store. In one embodiment, the information store is a unified
store that is accessible by multiple programs including the operating
system. Thus, new information or information changes can be made
available to multiple programs by the user adding (or changing) the
information only once. In another embodiment, the operating system image
to be installed on a computer is pre-populated with user-specific
information at the factory. The user-specific information can be
integrated into the operating system at the factory or alternatively upon
an initial boot of the computer by the user.