So a few things:
- The "lrcat" folder I specified is really whatever folder you named it when you first set the catalog file location. Whatever you named it, make sure "Wheel" also has read-write permissions, and "Apply to enclosed items".
- Check, double check, and triple check that the .plist files in /Library/Preferences continue to exist. Every time this failed on me, I found them to be missing from the global preferences folder. I'm not sure if I was copying them with insufficient permissions, or Gatekeeper blocked it, or something in the OS cleaned them up, but once I was SURE they were sticking around even through a reboot; it seemed to good to go.
- Don't "replace" copy the /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom folder, just delete it first so there's no folder merging going on - then move the one from the User's Library over.
- This should always be the last step: Run LR once more when you're satisfied and make sure the key wasn't lost in the shuffle. Just re-enter the key if needed, no need to copy all the files again.
Any other insights, updates, or failures are welcome. Hopefully the next version fixes this as it sounds like is being promised.
Follow Up: Success! I was able to capture a composer package that does suppress all the start screens for all users, including new ones after the installation.