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Vista and Windows 7 Personal Folder Link / Folder

Scorpio

By Scorpio
in Windows Vista

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Scorpio

Scorpio

Posted
Posted

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

gerardsweeney

Posted
Posted

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.

 

 

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?

Scorpio

Scorpio

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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

gerardsweeney

Posted
Posted

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 :)

gerardsweeney

gerardsweeney

Posted
Posted 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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?

  • Thanks 1
Scorpio

Scorpio

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

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.:

 

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;

Edited by Scorpio
  • Thanks 2
Scorpio

Scorpio

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

And heres one for Users Desktop ietms:

 

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;

Edited by Scorpio
  • Thanks 2
sukh

sukh

Posted
Posted

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

  • 2 months later...
spc-rocket

spc-rocket

Posted
Posted

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

SYNACK

Posted
Posted (edited)

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.

 

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

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

Edited by SYNACK
added example and reference
spc-rocket

spc-rocket

Posted
Posted

Hi,

 

Thanks for comming back on this guys, we do want to keep the user folder name so we can identify the student but leaving the folders link start show the username or display name rather but it also makes it a link i.e. when clicked it opens the user's folder. We want to show the name but just not being able to open it.

 

Ash.

  • 1 month later...
OverWorked

OverWorked

Posted
Posted
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

 

There's also this to hide the personal folder from the start menu:-

 

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