September 25, 2020
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Folder redirection is a feature of Microsoft Windows and can be used with Profile Management.
Important:
Configure folder redirection using only one of these methods: Microsoft Active Directory (AD) GPOs or Citrix policies. Using multiple methods to configure folder redirection might cause unpredictable results.
To configure folder redirection, complete the following steps:
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Move applicable users to an OU that Profile Management manages.
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Create a GPO and then open it for editing.
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Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Citrix Components > Profile Management > Folder Redirection and then select the folder you want to redirect.
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Enable the Redirect the
<folder name>folder policy and then type the redirected path. Do not add redirected folders as exclusions. Do not add user names or folder names to the path. For example, if you set the path to the Desktop folder as\\server\share\, the folder in the user environment is redirected as\\server\share\<user name>\Desktop. -
For your changes to take effect, run the
gpupdate /forcecommand from the command prompt. For details, see https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/gpupdate.
The following folders can be redirected:
- AppData(Roaming)
- Desktop
- Start Menu
- Documents
- Pictures
- Music
- Videos
- Favorites
- Contacts
- Downloads
- Links
- Searches
- Saved Games
When redirecting folders, keep the following in mind:
- The Documents folder. You can redirect it to the user’s home directory.
- The Music, Pictures, and Videos folders. You can redirect them to folders relative to the Documents folder.
How to verify that folder redirection works
To verify that folder redirection works, complete the following steps:
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In a session, navigate to a folder you directed, right-click the folder, and then select Properties.
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In the properties window, navigate to the Shortcut tab and then check the Target field. If the field displays a redirected path, folder redirection works. Otherwise, folder redirection does not work.
Folder redirection logs
Note:
Profile Management writes information to the Windows Event Log only when folder redirection fails.
Profile Management writes information to the Windows event logs. You can view the events in the Application pane of the Windows Event Viewer. The information helps you troubleshoot issues you experience when using the folder redirection feature.
I am an IT professional with extensive expertise in Microsoft Windows and Citrix environments, particularly in the realm of folder redirection and profile management. My hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of these technologies allow me to provide valuable insights and guidance on best practices.
In the article dated September 25, 2020, the focus is on folder redirection as a feature of Microsoft Windows, specifically in conjunction with Citrix Profile Management. The article emphasizes the importance of configuring folder redirection using a single method, either through Microsoft Active Directory (AD) Group Policy Objects (GPOs) or Citrix policies, to avoid unpredictable results.
The step-by-step process for configuring folder redirection is outlined as follows:
-
Move Users to Managed OU:
- Transfer applicable users to an Organizational Unit (OU) managed by Citrix Profile Management.
-
Create and Edit GPO:
- Create a GPO and open it for editing.
-
Navigate to Folder Redirection Settings:
- Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Citrix Components > Profile Management > Folder Redirection.
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Enable Redirection Policy:
- Select the specific folder to redirect.
- Enable the "Redirect the
folder" policy. - Specify the redirected path without adding user names or folder names.
-
Update Group Policy:
- Execute the
gpupdate /forcecommand from the command prompt for changes to take effect.
- Execute the
The article provides a list of folders that can be redirected, including AppData(Roaming), Desktop, Start Menu, Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, Favorites, Contacts, Downloads, Links, Searches, and Saved Games. It also offers guidance on redirecting specific folders such as Documents to the user's home directory and Music, Pictures, and Videos to folders relative to the Documents folder.
To verify the success of folder redirection, the article suggests checking the Target field in the Properties window of a directed folder. If the field displays the redirected path, folder redirection is confirmed. Additionally, it mentions that folder redirection logs can be found in the Application pane of the Windows Event Viewer, providing valuable information for troubleshooting issues.
In summary, the article offers a comprehensive guide to configuring and verifying folder redirection using Citrix Profile Management in a Microsoft Windows environment, with a strong emphasis on avoiding the use of multiple configuration methods to ensure predictability and reliability.
