Shared desktop icons

[supportman]

I want to remove our old file server now we have all user files in the cloud but that last thing that remains is the Shared Desktop Icons.

 

Currently we use a GPO to redirect a desktop to that file server share.

 

What the modern way to do this?

Edited November 18, 2021 by supportman

[DavR]

Is it a desktop that users have write access to, or just desktop redirection and your curated set of shortcuts?

 

We do desktop and start menu redirection here, I've dropped our shortcuts into NETLOGON instead of having them on the file servers, that way they're automatically replicated to all other DCs.

[Jcx500]

We do a desktop and start menu redirect, Shortcuts just live on our utilities server

[supportman]

Is it a desktop that users have write access to, or just desktop redirection and your curated set of shortcuts?

 

We do desktop and start menu redirection here, I've dropped our shortcuts into NETLOGON instead of having them on the file servers, that way they're automatically replicated to all other DCs.

 

Yes just redirection. Dropping them into NETLOGON is a nice idea actually as I don't see us getting rid of the DC's anytime soon.

 

That still restricts the icons being shown when teachers take their laptops home though.

[DavR]

That still restricts the icons being shown when teachers take their laptops home though.

 

True, that's always been a bit of a sticking point.

 

I wonder if it's possible to redirect desktops to a Sharepoint location?

 

I guess in theory you could create an SMB share in Azure and point desktops to that, but it's not something I've seen done.

[Jamoire]

We use Group Policy Preferences to create the shortcuts in a folder on the local PC and redirect to there.

 

If you use custom icons as you can also use GPP to copy the ico files to the PC and then point the shortcut to the local location of the icon.

 

As shortcuts and icons are on the PC they will show up when off the network too.

[smarties11]

Yes just redirection. Dropping them into NETLOGON is a nice idea actually as I don't see us getting rid of the DC's anytime soon.

 

That still restricts the icons being shown when teachers take their laptops home though.

 

If you enable and configure offline files in a GPO that applies to your home laptops, then they will sync using sync center and show at home. That's what we do.