Folder Redirection (User Management)
Folder Redirection
The Folder Redirection object provides the ability to change the Windows default location for specialized folders known as Shell Folders. Shell folders are folders that are specific to each authenticated user. They include the Contacts (Windows 7, Windows 8.1), Cookies (Windows 8.1), Desktop (Windows 8.1), Downloads (Windows 7, Windows 8.1), Favorites (IE Bookmarks)(Windows 8.1), History (Windows 8.1), My Music (Windows 8.1), My Pictures (Windows 8.1), My Videos (Windows 7, Windows 8.1), Personal (My Documents Folder)(Windows 7, Windows 8.1), Programs Group (Windows 7, Windows 8.1), Recent (Windows 7, Windows 8.1), Send To (Windows 7, Windows 8.1), Start Menu (Windows 7, Windows 8.1), Startup (Windows 7, Windows 8.1) and Temporary Internet Files (Windows 7, Windows 8.1).
Shell folders are located under the authenticated user’s profile, C:\Documents and Settings\profilename\.
By defaulting the location of these folders to a network share (or mapped drive), rather than the local computer, users are allowed to access their own desktop, bookmarks, recent document list, application settings, etc., regardless of the computer they log on to. This also enables the profile to be secured and backed up.
In addition to user-specific shell folders, Windows 2008/7/8.1/2008 R2/2012/2012 R2/2016/2019 also includes a common set of shell folders that are available to all users of the computer. This common set of shell folders is often referred to as the "All Users" profile or "Users Profiles".
Settings
Action
Shell folder
Select a shell folder from the Shell folder list.
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NOTE: Redirecting Temporary Internet Files to a network share is not supported with IE 8 and later. |
Redirect to folder
Specify a folder that the shell folder should be redirected to. The folder designation 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.
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NOTE: Although a path in the form of C:\RedirectedFolder may be used, it is recommended that a fully qualified UNC be used instead. Note that UNC paths longer than 260 are truncated by the operating system. If this occurs, the folder redirection will not work. |
Reset to default
Select this check box to restore the redirected folder to the operating system’s default location.
Copy any files that exist in the original folder
Select this check box to copy files from the current folder to the redirected folder when it is redirected.
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.