Assigning Profile and Disk Quotas

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Typically, the disk space that users need varies, depending on users’ roles.

Consolidating user disk space on network shares is more efficient and cost-effective than providing large amounts of storage at each workstation. However, you need to manage the shares. Profile and disk quotas can assist you in monitoring and managing network shares.

Profile Quotas and Local Drives

Profile quotas do not restrict redirected folders because they are not stored in the user’s profile. If you want to reduce disk space requirements of workstations, do not save profiles locally. To establish quotas, apply profile quotas instead of disk quotas to local disk drives.

Combining Redirection of My Documents with Roaming User Profiles

If you combine Folder Redirection of the My Documents folders with Roaming User Profiles, do not apply disk quotas to the volume in which roaming profiles are stored. Instead, use a profile quota to manage the size of the profile, and use a disk quota to manage the size of the My Documents and My Pictures folders.

Note

  • If you are combining Folder Redirection of the My Documents folder and roaming user profiles, it is recommended that you do not use disk quotas on the profile folders. The operating system and applications write items to the user profile folder on the user’s behalf. This includes items such as Custom.dic and Favorites.

Limiting Profile Size

To manage the profile quota size, use the Limit profile size policy setting in the Group Policy Object Editor snap-in. This policy sets the maximum size of each roaming user profile and determines the system’s response when a roaming user profile reaches the maximum size. The Limit profile size policy setting is available in the User Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\User Profiles node of the Group Policy Object Editor.

Removing Cached Copies of Roaming Profile to Minimize Disk Space Usage

If disk size on a multi-user computer is a concern (for example, a public computer that numerous users use), you can use the Delete cached copies of roaming profiles policy, which removes cached versions of the profile when a user logs off. The Delete cached copies of roaming profiles policy setting is available in the Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\User Profiles node of the Group Policy Object Editor.