Hide the "Work Folder" for users

Question

Hello !

I'm currently stuck in the configuration of "Work Folders" for our users.

Let me explain. We have set up a folder synchronization system internally in order to overcome problems with our old way of working. We have linked the "Document" folder via a GPO and we don't want them to access it in any other way than their usual way.
So I'm trying to hide the folder in the folder explorer from our users. This is so that they can't drop files into the root.
I didn't manage to find the necessary information to do this.
Should I go through the Registry? Or can a simple GPO solution work?

Thanks in advance for your help on this.

Answer 1

Hello,

You can use Group Policy to hide the "Work Folders" folder from users in the Windows Explorer folder tree. To do this, you will need to create a new Group Policy object (GPO) and link it to the organizational unit (OU) that contains the user accounts that you want to apply the policy to.

To create the GPO:

1. Open the Group Policy Management Console.
2. Right-click the OU that contains the user accounts, and then select "Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here."
3. In the "New GPO" dialog box, enter a name for the GPO and click "OK."

To hide the "Work Folders" folder:

1. In the Group Policy Management Console, right-click the GPO that you created and select "Edit."
2. In the Group Policy Management Editor, navigate to the following location:

Computer Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Folder Redirection

In the right pane, right-click and select "New > Folder."

In the "Folder Properties" dialog box, enter the following settings:

Target folder location: "Redirect to the local userprofile location"
Target folder: "Work Folders"
Redirection options: "Basic - Redirect everyone's folder to the same location"
Click "OK" to save the changes.
This will redirect the "Work Folders" folder to the local user profile location for all users, which will cause the folder to be hidden in the Windows Explorer folder tree.

I hope this help with your case.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

Kindly follow the steps provided below to resolve your issue.

When you use Work Folders to store your work files, you'll be able to get to them from all your PCs and devices—even when you're offline. Here are answers to some common questions about Work Folders in Windows 10 and the Work Folders app for iOS and Android.

Go to this link for your reference and other troubleshooting procedures https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/work-folders-faq-de1f8e38-eb50-8358-ad7b-020fdb42b250

Do not hesitate to message us if you need further assistance.

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