If you'd like to redirect folders like "My Documents" through local Windows Group Policies, you undoubtedly know that you can't do it. As it says in TID #10078467 "Microsoft has moved "Custom Folders" from Extensible Policies (in Windows 9x and NT 4.0) to "Folder Redirection" in AD Domain Group Policies. ZENworks for Desktops manages local Windows Group Policies, not Active Directory Group Policies."
Here's what Microsoft says about it: "Local Group Policy objects do not support Folder Redirection or Software Installation"
Solution
I have created an ADM template which can be used to enable folder redirection through local Group Policy, as used by ZfD. I have tested this with a customer running ZfD3.2, who uses it to re-direct 'My Documents' (Personal) and Templates.
Here is a quick why and how, and a zip containing the ADM template as well as a REG file that can be used to reset the 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders' to the default (i.e. %USERPROFILE%\....) - useful for administrators who inadvertently change their own settings whilst using the group policy editor!
This policy template allows folder redirection through a local Group Policy, using an administrative template.This can be added to the Group Policy by selecting User Configuration->Administrative Templates; Action->Add/Remove Templates.Add, then specify the path to the HKCUUserShellFolders.adm file (in zip file below).
Important: You need to uncheck "Show Policies Only" (MMC with GP->Local Computer Policy->User Configuration->Administrative Templates->View) to get the options to display N.B. AS THESE DO NOT EXIST UNDER EITHER THE Software\Policies OR Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies REGISTRY SUBKEYS. THEY ARE NOT "True policies" and hence are persistent - take care, especially when editing!!
I have attached a registry file that contains the defaultsettings, so this can be merged once you have edited the settings to getyour own profile back in shape!
The author of this tool takes no responsibility whatsoever for the performance or effects of this tool. Proceed at your own risk.
hkcu_user_shell_folders_default.reg included within the ZIP file.
FAQs
In the Group Policy Management Editor window, navigate to User Configuration, then Policies, then Windows Settings, and then Folder Redirection. Right-click a folder that you want to redirect (for example, Documents), and then select Properties. This may help.
How to create a Folder Redirection in GPO? ›
In Group Policy Management, right-click the domain or OU in which you want to set up Folder Redirection, and then select Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here. In the New GPO dialog box, enter a name for the GPO (for example, Folder Redirection Settings), and then select OK.
How do I change the redirected folder location in Group Policy? ›
- Open the Group Policy Manager.
- Create a new GPO or edit an existing one.
- Open User Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Folder Redirection.
- Right-click Documents and click Properties.
- Choose Basic - Redirect everyone's folder to the same location.
Folder Redirection enables users and administrators to redirect the path of a known folder to a new location, manually or by using Group Policy. The new location can be a folder on the local computer or a directory on a file share.
How do I map a network drive with local Group Policy? ›
2 answers
- On the GPO right click and select edit.
- Navigate to User Configuration -> Preferences -> Windows Settings -> Drive Mappings.
- Right Click Drive Mappings, Select New – > Mapped Drive.
- Configure Drive Mapping Properties.
How to verify that folder redirection works
- In a session, navigate to a folder you directed, right-click the folder, and then select Properties.
- In the properties window, navigate to the Shortcut tab and then check the Target field. If the field displays a redirected path, folder redirection works.
In the GPO, go to User Configuration, Policies, Windows Settings, Folder Redirection. Right click the folder you want to redirect, and click Properties. Leave the setting on “Basic”, change the Target Folder Location to “Redirect to the Following Location”.
How to set GPO Active Directory? ›
Right-click Group Policy Objects, then select New to create a new GPO. Enter a name for the new GPO that you can identify what it is for easily, then click OK. Select the GPO from Group Policy Objects list, then in the Security Filtering section, Add and Remove users, groups, and computers that the GPO should apply to.
Where is Group Policy location folder? ›
Group polices are stored in administrative template files (ADM and ADMX files). By default, the files are stored in the following locations: ADM - C:\WINDOWS\Inf. ADMX - C:\WINDOWS\PolicyDefinitions.
How do I reset Folder Redirection? ›
You have to go to the original policy that you used to redirect the folders, on the “Settings” tab, configure the Policy Removal setting to “redirect the folder back to the user profile…
Potential conflicts: If two users access the same redirected folder or file offline and make changes to it, conflicts can arise when they try to sync their changes back to the server. This can result in lost data or data corruption if the conflicts are not resolved properly.
What are the best practices for Folder Redirection? ›
For optimal performance of the Folder Redirection feature, it is strongly recommended that you create only the root share on the server, and then let the system create the folders for each user. If you must create the folders for users, ensure that you correctly assign permissions.
How do I fix user Folder Redirection? ›
- Check Permissions: Make sure that the file and folder permissions are correctly set. ...
- Check the Folder Redirection Policy: Verify that the Folder Redirection GPO is configured correctly. ...
- Check DFS Namespace and Replication: Verify that DFS namespace and DFS replication are working correctly.
Granting Access to a File or Folder
- Access the Properties dialog box.
- Select the Security tab.
- Click Edit. ...
- Click Add... ...
- In the Enter the object names to select text box, type the name of the user or group that will have access to the folder (e.g., 2125. ...
- Click OK. ...
- Click OK on the Security window.
Method 1: Windows CMD
- Type “subst” and press space.
- Type your drive letter and a “:” e.g. Z: and press space again.
- Drag the folder into the command prompt which you want to map as a drive.
How Do I Change Directories in Command Prompt?
- Type cd and then press Space.
- Drag and drop the folder you want to browse into the window. For example, if we drag the Downloads folder, the prompt might say this: cd C:\Users\name\Downloads.
- Press Enter to change the working directory to that folder.
