Avoid Project Import creating users

[ColinB]

Good day to you all,

I've taken a backup from a Cloud Instance and have restored it successfully into an 8.7.1. Server test instance (1). It brought in the attachments and avatars fine.

As I don't want to overwrite the Prod Server instance I've got another test instance (2), also Server 8.7.1. that I'm attempting Project Import using a zip file from the other instance (1). It reads the zip file fine. I had to create custom fields and issue scheme types and such like, but that worked all fine.

Here are my two problems.

1. Users

I don't want the Project Import to create the users as we don't have enough licenses, plus many of those users have left the organisation. 

In at least one thread it talks about rather than deleting the Users, better to remove them from all roles and set them inactive. I did this and still it created users.

Starting again, I removed the users, deleted the projects, but before I did another backup, I set myself as the Project Lead, and set the Reporter to me, as well as assigning them all to me.

Still it wants to create users, despite them being inactive and in no roles and having only them as commenters.

I read this article - https://confluence.atlassian.com/adminjiraserver/restoring-a-project-from-backup-938847691.html

I took from this that perhaps meant that provided the Mandatory fields were set to me, it wouldn't care who these people were.

Is there a better way to avoid our licensing limit preventing us from importing the projects?

2. Attachments

I've found that despite the attachments being in the right directory <jira home>/data/attachments. Are there any tips around this?

Many thanks for any help.

Warm regards

Colin