How to set user's Desktop to use redirected folders

Question

Since upgrading our domain workstations to Windows 11 last year new users do not automatically get their Desktop, Documents, etc. redirected to the redirected folders on the domain controller, even though the Group Policy on redirect is set up and the same GP worked well with Windows 10. Now new users always get these folders put on the local workstations. I've tried doing File Explorer > right-click on Desktop > Properties > Location (shows C:\Users\myuser\Desktop) > Move, then I type the location: \mail.hprs.local\Users\myuser\Desktop (it shows sub-folders as I type, so I know I'm going to the correct location). However, when I click 'Select Folder' I get either "No items match your search" or "Desktop / No object for Moniker", usually the former. No files are moved from C:\Users\myuser\Desktop to \mail.hprs.local\Users\myuser\Desktop. I've tried with and without the destination Desktop folder pre-existing. How do I fix this?

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Q&A.

Based on the description, I understand your question is related to set user's Desktop to use redirected folders.

Ensure that your Group Policy settings for folder redirection are correctly configured: Open Group Policy Management. Navigate to User Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Folder Redirection. Check the settings for Desktop, Documents, etc., and ensure they point to the correct network location (e.g., \mail.hprs.local\Users%USERNAME%\Desktop).

Ensure that the user has the necessary permissions to access the network location: On the file server, navigate to the shared folder (e.g., \mail.hprs.local\Users). Right-click the folder and select Properties. Go to the Security tab and ensure the user has Read/Write permissions.

Ensure that the workstation can connect to the network location: Open File Explorer and navigate to \mail.hprs.local\Users. Ensure you can see and access the folders.

Sometimes, cached credentials can cause issues. Clear them by following these steps: Open Credential Manager from the Control Panel. Remove any cached credentials related to the network location.

Try resetting the folder redirection settings: Disable folder redirection for the affected folders in Group Policy. Apply the changes and wait for them to propagate. Re-enable folder redirection with the correct settings.

Ensure there are no conflicting settings or policies: Review other Group Policy settings that might interfere with folder redirection. Check for any scripts or startup tasks that might affect folder redirection.

Sometimes, logging off and logging back on can help apply the settings correctly: Log off the user account. Log back in and check if the folders are redirected correctly.

Have a nice day.

Best Regards,

Molly

============================================

If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it

Answer 2

My GPM > User Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Folder Redirection, for Desktop is: Setting: "Basic redirect everyone's folder to the same location", and Target Folder location says, "Create a folder for each user under the root path" (it no longer creates these folders automatically). For Root Path is says, "\mail.hprs.local\Users".

I can navigate to \mail.hprs.local\Users\thisuser.

I'll try your "cached credentials" suggestion after the user is off the computer, but this is a new user who just started yesterday and this problem was immediate, the user having never even logged in yet. Also, this is happening to every user in the domain. I've had to manually set the Desktop to the redirected location (which is not working for me right now).

I can also try your "resetting the folder redirection settings" after hours. I'm also wondering if I removed the user under \mail.hprs.local\Users if the AD/DC would try to create it. I'll try that too.

Answer 3

Molly, thanks for you patience. I reinstalled Windows 11 on the user's workstations and deleted the user's supposedly "Redirected" Folder: \mail.hprs.local\Users*jane*, Then rejoined the workstation to the domain and logged in as that user. The redirected folder \mail.hprs.local\Users*jane* was not automatically created. Like I said, with Windows 10 it use to be. Permissions on \mail.hprs.local\Users is shown in the image below. I believe these are correct, but I'm posting in case.

On Group Policies > User Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Folder Redirection > Desktop > Properties, for "Target" I have Setting: Basic - "Redirect everyone’s folder to the same location."; Target folder location: "Create a folder for each user under the root path; Root Path: \mail.hprs.local\Users"

For "Settings" I have: uncheck “Grant the User Exclusive Rights to Documents”; checked “Move the contents of Desktop to the new location; checked "Also apply redirection policy to ... Windows XP ... operating Systems”. Policy Removal "Leave the file folder in the new location when policy is removed."

Again, all these settings seem correct to me, but if not, what am I doing wrong? Is there some registry settings that needs fixed?