Abstract: A method and apparatus for remote administration of programmable workstations coupled to a host computer in a data processing system. Master user configuration files are established and stored in association with a host computer for selected programmable workstations, each including a desired or existing configuration for an associated programmable workstation. At least one user within the data processing system is designated as a system administrator and permitted to selectively alter particular master user configuration files. Thereafter, the altered master user configuration file is automatically copied to an associated programmable workstation, in response to an initiation of communication between the programmable workstation and the host computer, altering the configuration of that workstation.