Folder Redirection not working in Windows 7... profile related?

[ronnoco]

Hi all,

 

Not sure if anywhere can help. I am testing Windows 7.0. We currently use desktop and start menu redirection with XP which works perfectly but it's not working in Windows 7.0.

 

I have a feeling it could be something to do with the profile. Just to get started, I originally tried copying the default user profile to out netlogon folder and called it default user.v2. If I log on as a student, the desktop redirection worked but the start menu didn't. I was going to persist but the problem with this profile was that every time I launched any Office product I got various error messages, missing acl, global template, encoding errors, etc. the profile wasn't mandatory (for testing purposes) and I tried giving the user local admin rights to eleminate a permissions problem with no success.

 

I tried created a new user and subsequently this made a new profile. I logged on as this user and launched Word and entered the user details, etc. Followed the same copy profile procedure and when I logged on as a student using this profile, Office worked fine but this time I got no redirection.

 

2 questions: -

 

1.) Why is the folder redirection not working? Do I need to install some adm templates to make GPMC aware of Windows 7.0?

 

2.) Is this the correct way for making a base profile for students?

 

I have Server 2008 on a DC with GPMC working fine and showing the latest Folder Redirection options (app data, favourites, etc) I also have other servers running a mixture of Server 2003 and Server 2003 R2.

 

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks very much.

 

Gary

[tommej]

Make sure Force classic Start Menu, Remove All Programs list from the Start menu ,Remove common program groups from Start Menu are all set to disabled, not configured didn't seem to suffice for us.

[ronnoco]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

I tried those suggestions, did a gpupdate /force and rebooted the client machine running Windows 7.0 but still no joy.

 

How did you create your base profile?

 

Thanks again.

 

Gary

[featured_spectre]

are you using mandatory profiles? because I found that mandatory profiles and desktop redirection dont work well together, turn one of them off, and you will find that you will alot more success. However I have someone coming in to double check my Mandatory profile for me to make sure I set it up correctly etc.

[ronnoco]

Hi,

 

Thanks for your post.

 

We have always used mandatory profiles for students, however, for testing I have not made it mandatory and it still isn't redireting the folders. It's weird that if you let it create a new profile, the desktop redirection will work but not the start menu. There does seem to be issues with the correct way to create a profile in Windows 7, especially one which has been customised.

 

Any other suggestions gratefully received.

 

Cheers

 

Gary

[techie2008]

has there been a fix/solution for this?

[ronnoco]

Hi,

 

Yes, I eventually got it working with our mandatory profile. For us, it turned out to be just one setting preventing the Start Menu from redirecting : -

 

User Config\Admin Templates\Start Menu & Taskbar

 

"Remove User's folders from the Start Menu"

 

Hope this helps.

 

Gary

[pcguywilson]

Hi,

 

User Config\Admin Templates\Start Menu & Taskbar

 

"Remove User's folders from the Start Menu"

 

Hope this helps.

 

Gary

 

Is this for the server-side GPO or the local WIN 7 GPO?

Also Has anyone had this working with Server 03?

[ronnoco]

We are using Server 2003 and just managing from a W7 machine with the policies copied to the central GPO store.

 

This was changing on the server side GPO, i.e global change to everyone.

 

Hope this helps.

[Michael]

It sounds like Ronnoco's using RSAT. This allows you to control 7 GPOs from a 7 workstation. 2003 Server can process 7 GPOs, you just cannot create or change them directly on 2003 Server.

 

You can of course create or change 7 GPOs on Server 2008 or Server 2008 R2 (even better) and use RSAT on a 7 workstation. The best of both worlds.

[pcguywilson]

We are using Server 2003 and just managing from a W7 machine with the policies copied to the central GPO store.

 

This was changing on the server side GPO, i.e global change to everyone.

 

Hope this helps.

 

That may be where I am confused. If you dont mine I will explain what I have done. Please let me know if I am missing something.

 

I created a user in test user in AD on the 03 Server. "win7user"

I created a test group "win7group"

I created a Test Gpo titled "folderredirection" it's only goal is to redirect folders. I redirected the menu to

\\server\subfolder\start$\

within start$ there is a programs folder

My test group(test user is in that group) has full permission for these folders.

 

Thats what I started with. I have gone into both 03 server and created local GPO on Win 7 using MMC that disables both "Remove Users folders from the Start Menu." and "Force classic start menu"

 

What else do I need to do. Thanks

[pcguywilson]

It sounds like Ronnoco's using RSAT. This allows you to control 7 GPOs from a 7 workstation. 2003 Server can process 7 GPOs, you just cannot create or change them directly on 2003 Server.

 

You can of course create or change 7 GPOs on Server 2008 or Server 2008 R2 (even better) and use RSAT on a 7 workstation. The best of both worlds.

 

I havent touched RSAt. Lol, Maybe that's my issue. Could you give me a few more details about how to utilize RSAT to accomplish the start menu redirection?

[Michael]

With regards to your Folder Redirection issue, have a look at the permissions I use here. These have been tried and tested at multiple sites.

 

For RSAT, join a Windows 7 SP1 workstation to your domain.

 

Download RSAT either x86 or x64.

 

Install RSAT, then navigate to Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off

 

Scroll down to Remote Server Administration Tools and expand it.

 

Expand Feature Administration Tools and put a tick next to Group Policy Management Tools

 

Expand Role Administration Tools and put a tick next to DHCP Server Tools and DNS Server Tools

 

Expand AD DS and AD LDS Tools > AD DS Tools and put a tick next to Active Directory Administrative Center. You'll find other items become ticked too, this is normal.

 

Now click OK and wait for the features to be installed.

 

Click on Start > Administrative Tools and all the tools you select should be there. Hope this helps

[pcguywilson]

I will try this and get back to you. Thanks

[pcguywilson]

I installed the RSAT and checked the GPO, It is set up like it should be.

I did a gpupdate/ force

Logged in as the test user, still no redirected start menu.

By looking at my earlier post is there anything you see that I am missing?

[3s-gtech]

Double check to see if this applies.

[Michael]

By looking at my earlier post is there anything you see that I am missing?

 

There's zero benefit in making the share hidden. This is what users are going to see after all. If you copy the folder structure, the permissions and making sure you use the FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name), it should work absolutely fine.

 

\\SERVERNAME doesn't work well with Windows 7/2008 R2.

 

\\SERVERNAME.domain.domain works perfectly with Windows 7/2008 R2.

[pcguywilson]

There's zero benefit in making the share hidden. This is what users are going to see after all. If you copy the folder structure, the permissions and making sure you use the FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name), it should work absolutely fine.

 

\\SERVERNAME doesn't work well with Windows 7/2008 R2.

 

\\SERVERNAME.domain.domain works perfectly with Windows 7/2008 R2.

 

Ok sorry it took so long. I used my FQDN

\\servername.domain.domain\c$\genericsubfolder\menus\win7\start

 

Still no go.

 

 

I deleted my GPO from the 03 server. And created a new one with only three definitions set.

1. folder redirection

2. disabled "force classic start menu"

3. disabled Remove Users folders from the Start Menu.

 

Verified folder permission on for the test user.

 

Logged in as test user.

Did gpupdate/ force

 

Still no redirected start menu

 

Here are my questions.

1. Should I bother with RSAT?

2. Should I bother with a local GPO to help with folder redirection

3. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!

 

Thanks

Edited December 1, 2011 by pcguywilson

[pcguywilson]

Ok sorry it took so long. I used my FQDN

 

\\servername.domain.domain\c$\genericsubfolder\men us\win7\start

 

Still no go.

 

I deleted my GPO from the 03 server. And created a new one with only three definitions set.

1. folder redirection

2. disabled "force classic start menu"

3. disabled Remove Users folders from the Start Menu.

 

Verified folder permission on for the test user.

 

Logged in as test user.

Did gpupdate/ force

 

Still no redirected start menu

 

Here are my questions.

1. Should I bother with RSAT?

2. Should I bother with a local GPO to help with folder redirection

3. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!

 

Thanks

[pcguywilson]

Also I would like to add that I am only trying this with the following

 

SERVER 2003(AD and DC)

TESTUSER

TESTGROUP

TEST GPO

 

WIN7 BOX.

 

I would think if you guys have all had success I am just missing something since I am only testing now. GRRR.

[Michael]

 

\\servername.domain.domain\c$\genericsubfolder\men us\win7\start

 

That won't work, re-direct like this:

 

\\SERVER.domain.domain\ICONS\Curric\Desktop

\\SERVER.domain.domain\ICONS\Curric\Start Menu\Programs

\\SERVER.domain.domain\ICONS\Staff\Desktop

\\SERVER.domain.domain\ICONS\Staff\Start Menu\Programs

 

Share the ICONS share with these permissions:

 

Everyone - Read & execute, List folder contents, Read

 

CREATOR OWNER

 

Authenticated Users - Read & execute, List folder contents, Read

 

SYSTEM - Full Control

 

Domain Admins (DOMAIN\Admins) - Full Control

 

Administrators (DOMAIN\Administrators) - Full Control

 

Also make DOMAIN\Administrators the Owner of the Icons share too.

 

Here are my questions.

1. Should I bother with RSAT?

2. Should I bother with a local GPO to help with folder redirection

3. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!

 

Thanks

 

You don't have to use RSAT, it's just recommended, especially as you only have a 2003 DC. The alternative is to add a 2008 R2 DC as well as using RSAT on the workstation.

 

You should use a UNC path (as I described above), not a local directory. Desktop/Start Menu Redirection is OK to do, as shortcut files are very small in size.

[pcguywilson]

I will be working on this later today. Quick question. Do I need to have one of each for "staff" or "curric".

Since I am only trying with one user can i just use 1 start menu and 1 desktop folder. Also If my sole purpose is to redirect my start menu do I just need the start menu one. Thanks

[Michael]

It just means if you have pupils and staff users, they can have slightly different shortcuts available to them when they logon.

 

In your case, yes you can just stick with Curric for now.

[pcguywilson]

Does that stand for curriculum? Also thanks for your quick replys.

[Michael]

Yes Curriculum or Curric. I've always used that.