Windows Server 2016 - Workfolders and File Explorer

[Bankesy]

Good morning all,

 

I've got an old Server 2016 VM that was running the workfolders role, it was primarily used for user home directories and it had a share on for Sage. I thought I was finally in a position to get rid of it having migrated user home directories to OneDrive and Sage to a new VM but when I shut it down we get slow performance on clients when browsing for files, opening attachments, and anything that involves File Explorer opening really.

 

I'm not sure what I could have missed here, some redirection stuff buried in group policies that are still pointing to the server maybe? Possibly a file path\DNS thing?

 

I'm open to suggestion if anybody has any ideas.

 

Thanks in advance

[3s-gtech]

Have a look at the Open Files in Computer Management. That may point you in the right direction.

[Bankesy]

@3s-gtech

 

Indeed, with the server on, I can see some users with open files on the drive\share that I am not expecting them to have. This indicates to me that somehow they are still seeing these directories or being redirected to them but why this would cause slow performance with the server off I am not sure.

 

Thanks

[3s-gtech]

Depending on the directories, their logon may depend on those files or at least wait for them to be available. Think things like profiles, startup items, thumbnails etc.

 

If you know what the files are, you should be able to trace what settings are pointing the clients at them still, and kill the GPO or setting.

[Bankesy]

@3s-gtech

 

Looks like it might be something to do with DFS

[3s-gtech]

That makes it like whack-a-mole. Still doable, buy you'll need every server doing the share open so you can kill all instances!

[Bankesy]

Thanks @3s-gtech I've got 3rd party looking at it now