Group Policy Recommendations for Folder Redirection

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

Use the following Group Policy guidelinesto ensure that offline files are fully synchronized and available when users work offline, and to specify the behavior of redirected folders and their contents when a Group Policy object no longer applies.

Enabling the Synchronize all offline files before logging off Policy Setting

Always enable the Synchronize all offline files before logging off policy setting to ensure that offline files are fully synchronized and that all the files in the users’ redirected folder are available when users work offline. If this setting is not enabled, the operating system only performs a quick synchronization, and only recently used files are cached. The Synchronize all offline files before logging off policy setting is available in the Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network\Offline Files node of the Group Policy Object Editor.

Removing Group Policy

It is important to consider the behavior of your Folder Redirection policy settings when Group Policy is removed. To specify Group Policy removal options, use the selected folder’s Properties page and select the Settings tab. You can access this page under User Configuration\Windows Settings\Folder Redirection of the Group Policy Object Editor by right-clicking a folder (for example, Application Data), clicking Properties, and then selecting the Settings tab to specify the policy removal options to use.

Table 7.11 indicates what happens to redirected folders and their contents when a Group Policy object no longer applies.

Table 7.11   Summary of Folder Properties Page Settings for Redirected Folders

Setting: Move the contents of special folder to the new location option Policy Removal Option Result of Removal

Enabled

Redirect the folder back to the user profile location when policy is removed
  • The special folder returns to its user profile location.

  • The folder contents are copied back to the user profile location.

  • The contents are not deleted from the redirected location.

  • The user can continue to access the contents, but only on the local computer.

Disabled

Redirect the folder back to the user profile location when policy is removed
  • The special folder returns to its user profile location.

    Note: In this case, the folder contents are not copied or moved to the user profile location. As a result, the user can no longer see the contents.

Either Enabled or Disabled

Leave the folder in the new location when policy is removed
  • The special folder remains at its redirected location.

  • The contents remain at the redirected location.

  • The user continues to have access to the contents at the redirected folder.

Important

  • Changing the redirection option to No Administrative policy specifieddoes not redirect the folder to the local profile, this option means that Folder Redirection is not configured — if a folder was previously redirected it continues to be redirected to the previous location. If you want to return the folder to the local user profile, use the Redirect the folder back to the user profile location when policy is removed option.