Folder Redirection CSE processing is delayed

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

Application of the user’s folder redirection policy is delayed until the next logon, because Group Policy logon optimization is in effect. As a result, the user’s folders are not redirected during the current logon.

Cause

Folder Redirection cannot redirect the user’s folders because the Group Policy asynchronous foreground processing setting is turned ON. Folder Redirection requires that the redirection policy be applied synchronously, so that the folders are redirected as part of the login and prior to user access.

The Always wait for the network at computer startup and logon policy setting determines whether Windows XP waits for the network during computer startup and user logon. By default, Windows XP does not wait for the network to be fully initialized at startup and logon. Existing users are logged on using cached credentials, which results in shorter logon times. Group Policy is applied in the background once the network becomes available.

If the Always wait for the network at computer startup and logon policy is set to Not configured or Disabled, Windows XP does not wait for the network to be fully initialized at startup and logon. Group Policy is applied asynchronously in the background.

In order for Folder Redirection settings to apply with the first logon, Windows must wait for the network to be fully initialized at startup and logon before applying policy. This means policy must apply synchronously in the foreground. The same applies to Software Installation and roaming user profiles.

Solution

To guarantee the application of Folder Redirection in just one logon, enable the Always wait for the network at computer startup and logon policy setting to ensure that Windows waits for the network to be available before applying policy. When this setting is enabled, logons are performed in the same way as for Windows 2000 clients, in that Windows XP waits for the network to be fully initialized before users are logged on. Group Policy is applied in the foreground, synchronously.

For more information about this policy, see the Explain tab in the Always wait for the network at computer startup and logon policy setting.