Common Folder Redirection (User Management)

Common Folder Redirection

The Common Folder Redirection object allows you to change the location of where Windows 7/2008/2008 R2/2012/2012 R2/2016/2019 computers look for common specialized folders known as the All Users Shell Folders.

Common Shell Folders are folders that are shared by all users of the computer and include Common Desktop, Common Programs Group, Common Start Menu and the Common Startup Group.

By instructing the operating system to locate the Common Shell Folders on a network share (or mapped drive), rather than the computer’s own local hard drive, you allow users to access the common portion of the Desktop, Start Menu and/or Program Group regardless of the computer from which they log on to.

In addition to Common Shell Folders, Windows 7/2008/2008 R2/2012/2012 R2/2016/2019 also includes an individual set of shell folders that are available to each user on each computer. Individual user shell folders can be configured by Desktop Authority using the Folder Redirection object.

Settings

Action

Shell folder

Select a shell folder from the Shell Folder list. Desktop Authority’s dynamic variable selection is available for this field by pressing the F2 key.

Redirect to folder

Specify a path that the shell folder should be redirected to. The path may be in the form of a path, mapped drive or UNC. Click Browse to navigate to the path. Desktop Authority’s dynamic variable selection is available for this field by pressing the F2 key.

Reset to default

Select this check box to restore the redirected folder to the operating system’s default location.

Validation Logic

Select the Validation Logic tab to set the validation rules for this element.

Notes

Select the Notes tab to create any additional notes needed to document the profile element.

Description

When adding or modifying a profile object element, the description appears above the settings tab. Enter a description to annotate the element. The default value for new profile elements can be changed by going to the system Preferences.