Changing library paths after moving documents to new server

[FreelanceX]

Hi, recently we moved all of our pupils home directories to a new server to spread the load. We have changed all the path redirects etc so they can log on fine and see all their documents as before.

 

But the library paths (Music, Pictures etc) still point to the old server. So they can still save there if they click on Libraries instead of My Computer and then their home drive.

 

I have found the reg keys which control the paths to the libraries, which are easy enough to change, but I do not know how I would go about implementing this change to every one on the network? How could I write the new entries to their NTUSER.DAT?

 

Obviously each path looks like this:

 

"My Video"="\\\\server1\\student\\teststudent\\My Videos"

 

We need it to look like this:

 

"My Video"="\\\\server2\\student\\teststudent\\My Videos"

 

We only need to change one part of the values of the keys, but we do not know how to go about this? I dont know of a way to make a reg key to only change part of a value and I am not sure it is even possible?

 

So would a script be needed? If so, does anyone know what would be needed (my scripting is subpar) and when would it best be run (I was thinking as a one-time logon script?)?

 

If I can get this to work, it will solve a lot of issues for us and means we could eventually get round to turning off server1...

 

By the way, if I am going about this all wrong and there is an easier way, please, do tell!

 

Thanks in advance.

[themightymrp]

Try reading through this thread:

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows-7/78302-windows-7-roaming-profile-problem-2.html#post808468

 

There is a tool you can use to change the paths. The path is not stored in the registry, rather an XML file

[themightymrp]

Should say, its more the end of the thread that is relelvant to win7 libraries

[cromertech]

Can you not use the follow documents setting on the redirect GPO. If the documents library path is correct this should allow the others to update accordingly. I disable the libraries completely as I couldn't stop them from being local.

[FreelanceX]

Thanks for the link to that thread. I will have a look through now...

 

So the reg keys in NTUSER.DAT... What effect do they have?

[themightymrp]

I'll be honest I'm not entirely sure on the difference between the reg keys for my documents and the library XML files. I don't know how one affects the other? I just came across that tool when I wanted to deploy specific libraries and locations to machines

[FreelanceX]

After following the guide you linked me to, I set them to all point to H:\ and from a network location, I can get multiple people to see their own directories so, for that, thanks a ton.

 

Still unsure what will happen with NTUSER though. Will have to test it and see what happens. Hopefully the paths will be ignored once the actual XMLs are replaced.

 

If it works as intended, this could solve an issue we have had for months.

[themightymrp]

Great stuff, hope all works out

[FreelanceX]

Thanks dude. After some testing, it all appears to work as we intended. Much obliged!

[AdamKonstantin]

Thank you for your help.

[round2it]

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows-7/95896-windows-7-librarys-set-network-drive-possible-via-tool-needs-adding-wiki.html