[V8i] User preference files - differences between software packages and versions?

I understand that each software package and version stores its own copy of the user preference file in its own separate directory under C:\Users\username\App Data.

The problem this creates is that we then have four or five UPFs per user, which all have to be set up just the way the user likes them. Some people can handle their own UPFs; others aren't that tech-savvy.

I just had a gentleman who received a new computer. First he got into MicroStation and had to set up his preferences. Then he got into Geopak - and had to set up the preferences he swore he "just set up". Next he got into InRoads and guess what? He had to set up his preferences AGAIN!...which I heard about. I can't wait until he opens InRoads SS4...

Is there any way that any given user can "save off" their basic favorite preferences to be used with every software installation? I know about Seed Preference files (SPFs). Are the software packages so different that they can't use a common SPF?
What other solutions are there to this issue? It's small, but it's annoying.