Vista and Windows 7 Personal Folder Link / Folder

**Scorpio** · 23rd March 2011, 11:48 AM

Hi All

In Windows Vista and 7 users have the personal folder link on the desktop and start menu, (listed as their name) which actually takes them to the root of their profile, now people are saving into this as they have the link on there desktop in place of there my documents was and also on the start menu. We have tried to get rid of the link on the start menu/desktop etc but not found a definitive answer.

The problem were having is, people are saving into this instead of their redirected my documents, therefore it goes in the root of their profile and then gets copied back to the server and then onto other machines the user logs onto,. taking up space and increasing logon and logoff times.

How have you lot got around this problem. Can you get rid of all references to it and get the mydocs link back on the desktop. Its becoming a problems as people now are saving work in 2 places.

Many Thanks

Scorps

**gerardsweeney** · 23rd March 2011, 12:02 PM

I've only started dabbling with Win7 and I also found the dreaded Profile folder. So it's reassuring to know that what I thought would happen has happened elsewhere.

I put together a small BAT file which I've used when creating my test Win7 PCs just now, and it seems to remove the wretched "Profile" folder and restore My Documents back on the desktop where it should be.

I STRESS here - this has only been used on test-bed PCs, but perhaps it'll give you something to look at:

You'll need to download SetACL.

Code:

rem =========================================================
rem My Documents back on Desktop

rem Take ownership
C:\Drivers\PostInst\SetACL.exe -on "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" -ot reg -actn setowner -ownr "n:Administrators" -rec yes

rem Permissions to FC for Administrators
C:\Drivers\PostInst\SetACL.exe -on "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" -ot reg -actn ace -ace "n:Administrators;p:full" -rec yes


reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\ShellFolder" /v "Attributes" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "4034920765" /f
reg delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\shell\cmd" /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" /ve /t "reg_sz" /d "Documents" /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\DefaultIcon" /ve /t "reg_expand_sz" /d ^%SystemRoot^%\system32\imageres.dll,-112 /f

rem unhide My Docs
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel" /v "{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" /t "REG_DWORD" /d 0 /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu" /v "{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" /t "REG_DWORD" /d 0 /f

reg delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" /v "Removal Message" /f

rem =========================================================



rem =========================================================
rem Hide User profile desktop namespace

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel" /v "{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}" /t "REG_DWORD" /d 1 /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu" /v "{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}" /t "REG_DWORD" /d 1 /f
rem =========================================================

Any use?

**witch** · 23rd March 2011, 12:05 PM

Now you are worrying me because I DON'T seem to have this issue

**gerardsweeney** · 23rd March 2011, 12:23 PM

Maybe your users have a better understanding of where to save their stuff?

**Scorpio** · 23rd March 2011, 12:29 PM

Thanks i will take a look at the script, shame there isnt something easier in GPMC, as its easily a problem, for users wilth roaming profiles.

Cheers

**gerardsweeney** · 23rd March 2011, 12:34 PM

You're welcome..

You might be able to add it as a custom (unmanaged?) Group Policy?

The script gets run as part of my desktop building Altiris script, so I wasn't that fussed about hassling the GP admin with it

**Scorpio** · 23rd March 2011, 01:55 PM

hi again can you explain what each line of your script does. Cheers

**gerardsweeney** · 23rd March 2011, 02:13 PM

Code:

rem =========================================================
rem My Documents back on Desktop

rem Take ownership
C:\Drivers\PostInst\SetACL.exe -on "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" -ot reg -actn setowner -ownr "n:Administrators" -rec yes

rem Permissions to FC for Administrators
C:\Drivers\PostInst\SetACL.exe -on "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" -ot reg -actn ace -ace "n:Administrators;p:full" -rec yes

By default, the key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103} has NTFS permissions which prohibit anyone from writing to it.

The above first takes ownership of the key, then changes the permissions to allow the local group "Administrators" to write to it.

Code:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\ShellFolder" /v "Attributes" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "4034920765" /f
reg delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\shell\cmd" /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" /ve /t "reg_sz" /d "Documents" /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}\DefaultIcon" /ve /t "reg_expand_sz" /d ^%SystemRoot^%\system32\imageres.dll,-112 /f

This then changes the values of key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103} (which Administrators can now write to). The values changed are to make it similar to the settings found on an XP workstation.

Code:

rem unhide My Docs
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel" /v "{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" /t "REG_DWORD" /d 0 /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu" /v "{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" /t "REG_DWORD" /d 0 /f

reg delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}" /v "Removal Message" /f

The above sets both "New" (Win7) and "Classic" Start Menu so that the "My Documents" is visible.

Code:

rem Hide User profile desktop namespace

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel" /v "{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}" /t "REG_DWORD" /d 1 /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu" /v "{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}" /t "REG_DWORD" /d 1 /f

Hopefully speaks for itself, but the above sets both "New" (Win7) and "Classic" Start Menu so that the "Profiles folder" is hidden.

These changes came about by looking at the above reg values on an XP workstation, and then the same on a 7 workstation. And then contrasting/comparing the two, and manually changing each 7 difference until I got the desired effect.

If you're using GPOs, I'm sure there's a way of importing custom registry changes and NTFS permissions changes - it's been a long time since I've had anything to do with GPOs, so you'll have to forgive my vagueness.

I hope this has helped a little?

**Scorpio** · 23rd March 2011, 02:41 PM

Thanks ive done a GPO, for Machine Side explorer items, its for 32 Bit only as 64 bit i understand has different settings, i havent fully tested it but first tests seem to work, it may be helpful to someone else.:

Code:

CLASS MACHINE

CATEGORY "Windows Vista & 7"

CATEGORY "Explorer Navigation Items"

CATEGORY "32 Bit OS"

	POLICY "Hide Personal Folder"
		KEYNAME "Software\Classes\CLSID\{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}\ShellFolder"
		VALUENAME Attributes
		VALUEON NUMERIC 4036231469
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 4035182893
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Libraries"
		KEYNAME "Software\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}\ShellFolder"
		VALUENAME Attributes
		VALUEON NUMERIC 2962227469
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 2961178893
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Homegroup"
		KEYNAME "Software\Classes\CLSID\{B4FB3F98-C1EA-428d-A78A-D1F5659CBA93}\ShellFolder"
		VALUENAME Attributes
		VALUEON NUMERIC 2962489612
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 2961441036
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Networking"
		KEYNAME "Software\Classes\CLSID\{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}\ShellFolder"
		VALUENAME Attributes
		VALUEON NUMERIC 2962489444
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 2953052260
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Computer"
		KEYNAME "Software\Classes\CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\ShellFolder"
		VALUENAME Attributes
		VALUEON NUMERIC 2962489612
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 2961441036
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Favourites"
		KEYNAME "Software\Classes\CLSID\{323CA680-C24D-4099-B94D-446DD2D7249E}\ShellFolder"
		VALUENAME Attributes
		VALUEON NUMERIC 2839544064
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 2693792000
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Control Panel"
		KEYNAME "Software\Classes\CLSID\{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\ShellFolder"
		VALUENAME Attributes
		VALUEON NUMERIC 2693791748
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 2684354564
	END POLICY

END CATEGORY;

END CATEGORY;

END CATEGORY;

**Scorpio** · 23rd March 2011, 02:43 PM

And heres one for Users Desktop ietms:

Code:

CLASS USER

CATEGORY "Windows Vista & 7"

CATEGORY "Desktop Items"

CATEGORY "Classic Start Menu"

	POLICY "Hide Internet Explorer Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu"
		VALUENAME {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Personal Folder Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu"
		VALUENAME {59031A47-3F72-44A7-89C5-5595FE6B30EE}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Computer Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu"
		VALUENAME {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Network Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu"
		VALUENAME {F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Control Panel Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu"
		VALUENAME {5399E694-6CE5-4D6C-8FCE-1D8870FDCBA0}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Recycle Bin Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu"
		VALUENAME {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Libraries Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu"
		VALUENAME {031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Search Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu"
		VALUENAME {9343812e-1c37-4a49-a12e-4b2d810d956b}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide My Documents Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu"
		VALUENAME {450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

END CATEGORY;

CATEGORY "New Start Menu"

	POLICY "Hide Internet Explorer Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel"
		VALUENAME {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Personal Folder Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel"
		VALUENAME {59031A47-3F72-44A7-89C5-5595FE6B30EE}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Computer Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel"
		VALUENAME {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Network Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel"
		VALUENAME {F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Control Panel Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel"
		VALUENAME {5399E694-6CE5-4D6C-8FCE-1D8870FDCBA0}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Recycle Bin Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel"
		VALUENAME {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Libraries Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel"
		VALUENAME {031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide Search Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel"
		VALUENAME {9343812e-1c37-4a49-a12e-4b2d810d956b}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

	POLICY "Hide My Documents Desktop Icon"
		KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel"
		VALUENAME {450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}
		VALUEON NUMERIC 1
		VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
	END POLICY

END CATEGORY;

END CATEGORY;

END CATEGORY;

**gerardsweeney** · 23rd March 2011, 04:04 PM

Nice one!

Gerard

**sukh** · 24th March 2011, 10:26 PM

Hi

I know you guys havd a script but wouldn't this achieve one of the points.

Prevent users from adding files to the root of their Users Files folder.
Remove user name from Start Menu
Remove user's folders from the Start Menu

Sukh

**spc-rocket** · 26th May 2011, 02:57 PM

Hi,

Sorry an old thread, but removing the username from start menu is only for windows 2003 and xp only by the looks of it. Removing the user folders from the start menu messes the start menu redirection big time (empty start menu).

Prevent users from adding files to root of their Users folder works - it stops them saving files to their %userprofile% location but we would like to display the name of the user but not just have it openable i.e. click to open the users folder. Haven't found a way to do this yet.

Ash.

**SYNACK** · 26th May 2011, 03:08 PM

We hide all customised folders like my music etc from teh start menu in Vista/7 just leaving the redirected Documents option, this is only called Documents because the Desktop.INI file in the user documents folder tells it to be called that, open that file and change the diplay name to the full name and it should show up in the start menu. You could somewhat easily do this with a script at logon grabbing the users full name and writing it to the Desktop.ini

The change only shows up after a log off/on so the first time it would still show up as documents but subsiquent times it would be the students name. This also can solve the little issue where all the folder look like they are called documents because it is exactly the same mechinisum that handles both things.

Code:

[DeleteOnCopy]
Owner=StudentIR
Personalized=5
PersonalizedName=I. R. Student

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321281

**gerardsweeney** · 26th May 2011, 03:14 PM

I'm not sure if this is what you're after - it removes the User's Personal Folder from the menu entirely using GPO?

PeteNetLive - KB0000398 - Windows - Remove the Username (Personal Folder) From the Start Menu

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