asked on

Favorites Folder Redirection with GPO

I'm trying to redirect all my users "Favorites" to their folders on the domain controller (domaincontroller). I ran across this on another site, so I've done everything there and still don't see a "Favorites" folder in my user folder on the domain controller (I am using myself as a test. I've created an OU "Test Users" and put myself in there. I added the default doman policy, changed the name, and added the "Favorites" administrative template to the policy.

Procedure completed (create a .adm file in notepad):

CLASS USER
CATEGORY !!WindowsComponents
CATEGORY !!InternetExplorer
CATEGORY !!IE_Favorites
KEYNAME "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer \User Shell Folders"

POLICY !!IE_Favorites
#if version >= 4
SUPPORTED !!SUPPORTED_IE5
#endif

EXPLAIN !!IE_Favorites_Location_Explain

PART !!IE_Favorites_Location_Tip1 TEXT
END PART

PART !!IE_Favorites_Location EDITTEXT EXPANDABLETEXT
VALUENAME Favorites
DEFAULT %USERPROFILE%\Favorites
;; MAXLEN 120
REQUIRED
END PART
END POLICY

END CATEGORY ;; IE_Favorites
END CATEGORY ;; Internet Explorer
END CATEGORY ;; WindowsComponents

[strings]

WindowsComponents="Windows Components"
IE_Favorites="Location of Internet Explorer Favorites"
IE_Favorites_Location="The path to the favorites folder"
IE_Favorites_Location_Explain="Specify the path to the location of favorites. You can use variables like %USERPROFILE%, %USERNAME%, etc... Both local and UNC path are valid."
IE_Favorites_Location_Tip1="Specify the UNC path to the favorites location"
InternetExplorer="Internet Explorer"
SUPPORTED_IE5="at least Internet Explorer v5.01"

Once I created this file. I added it to Default Domain Policy in the "User Configuration" "Administrative Templates" section.
This has to be done to see the policy setting:
After you add the custom administrative template and in the GPO editor uncheck:
View->Filtering->Only show policy settings that can be fully managed, you will find the settings you are interested in at the location shown in the picture.

I enable the setting and give this as the unc path for the redirection...
\\domaincontroller\Users$\%USERNAME%\Favorites

When I force the gpupdate in the command prompt I don't see the "Favorites" folder in my folder on the server. I've also restarted and logged out and back in numerous times. I can't figure out what has went wrong. The guy that created the file above said his works perfectly.

SOLUTION

Abhay Pujari

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

fnbtech

ASKER

I have opened the command prompt and ran gpupdate /force. No errors regarding this issue in the event viewer. What is RSOP? I ran gpresult and this is what I get:

Microsoft (R) Windows (R) XP Operating System Group Policy Result tool v2.0
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-2001
Created On 4/2/2009 at 9:16:35 AM

RSOP results for domain\userid on machinename : Logging Mode
-----------------------------------------------------------
OS Type: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Configuration: Member Workstation
OS Version: 5.1.2600
Domain Name: Domain
Domain Type: Windows 2000
Site Name: Main
Roaming Profile:
Local Profile: C:\Documents and Settings\username
Connected over a slow link?: No

COMPUTER SETTINGS
------------------
CN=machinename,CN=Computers,DC=domain,DC=local
Last time Group Policy was applied: 4/2/2009 at 7:40:41 AM
Group Policy was applied from: domaincontroller.domain.local
Group Policy slow link threshold: 500 kbps
Applied Group Policy Objects
-----------------------------
Test User Policy
The following GPOs were not applied because they were filtered out
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Local Group Policy
Filtering: Not Applied (Empty)
The computer is a part of the following security groups:
--------------------------------------------------------
BUILTIN\Administrators
Everyone
BUILTIN\Users
NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK
NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users
machinename$
Domain Computers

USER SETTINGS
--------------
CN=user,OU=Test Users,DC=domain,DC=local
Last time Group Policy was applied: 4/2/2009 at 9:15:44 AM
Group Policy was applied from: domaincontroller.domain.local
Group Policy slow link threshold: 500 kbps
Applied Group Policy Objects
-----------------------------
Test User Policy
Test User Policy
The following GPOs were not applied because they were filtered out
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Local Group Policy
Filtering: Not Applied (Empty)
The user is a part of the following security groups:
----------------------------------------------------
Domain Users
Everyone
Remote Desktop Users
BUILTIN\Users
BUILTIN\Administrators
NT AUTHORITY\INTERACTIVE
NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users
LOCAL
Domain Admins
Group Policy Creator Owners
Enterprise Admins
DHCP Administrators
DnsAdmins

Abhay Pujari

RSOP is the Resultant set of policy which shows you what policies are applied to user and in which order. To run this you need to go to active directory users and computers-- then go to this OU, right click it. Point to all tasks and then select resultant set of policy.

fnbtech

ASKER

I ran the RSOP and it shows that the setting should be there, but it doesn't work.

Abhay Pujari

What did it show? Have you created new policy for this OU?

fnbtech

ASKER

Administrative Templates
Windows Components/Internet Explorer/Location of Internet Explorer Favorites\
Policy
Location of Internet Explorer Favorites Enabled
Specify the UNC path to the favorites location The path to the favorites folder \\mainsvr\users$\%USERNAME%\Favorites

Abhay Pujari

"\\mainsvr\users$\%USERNAME%\Favorites" Is this a valid UNC path? As per my logic it should not.

fnbtech

ASKER

\\mainsvr(domaincontroller)\users$(sharedfolder)\%USERNAME%\Favorites is not a valid UNC path?

Abhay Pujari

Read these documents before replicating your friend's environment http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc782799.aspx and http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc781907.aspx.

fnbtech

ASKER

Here is what everything looks like.
GP-Setting.jpg
GP-Setting2.jpg

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

fnbtech