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roaming profiles windows server 2016

I had this question after viewing migrate from server 2008 SBS to server 2016 with essentials experience.

Greetings,

In 2008 SBS - I have roaming profiles for my users, in which in Active Directory Users and Computers, in a users properties, in the profile tab I have a path for each user.

I see that in 2016 essentials it has user folder syncing to the server including the desktop. syncing user desktops was a main reason I had roaming profiles in the past. Plus transferring user settings from one machine to another.

Is it recommended to discontinue roaming profiles in server 2016?

Thanks and best regards,

Sky

Tom Cieslik

It is still available but it require a little a bit more work to make it properly.
I can explain you step by step if you need but there is a video on YT tat you can watch and perfect English speaking person will explain you :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_kndw-kVvI

Schuyler Kuhl

ASKER

Thank you. I appreciate that video. It is helpful.

My question is more should roaming profiles be used rather than how to set it up? If win 2016 server with essentials will sync user folders to the server, including the desktop, it seems like a bit of overlap. I guess except for the users settings.

So is it best practice to use one method or the other? Probably not both I would think.

Thanks very much for your help.

Best regards,

Sky

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Tom Cieslik

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Hypercat (Deb)

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Schuyler Kuhl

ASKER

I agree. The value of the roaming profile is the user settings that are transferred from machine to machine.

I guess if I deselect the desktop from folder redirection and use roaming profiles it will be the same setup as i have had in the past with the 2008 server.

There isn't any way to exclude the desktop from the roaming profile is there?

Thanks very much.

Sky

Hypercat (Deb)

Not sure if it will work with the Desktop folder, but you could try excluding it in the following policy:

User Configuration/Policies/Administrative Templates/System/User Profiles/Exclude directories in roaming profile

I've used it with other folders below the top profile folder level, but I've never tried it with one of the standard profile folders. Worth a try, though.

Tom Cieslik

This is about Windows 2003 but i think is going to work for newest versions

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/814592/how-to-prevent-folders-from-roaming-with-a-profile-in-windows-server-2003

Schuyler Kuhl

ASKER

Thank you very much. I appreciate your expertise greatly. Thank you.