Folder redirection doesn't work correctly - Windows Client (2024)

  • Article

This article provides workarounds for an issue where folder redirection doesn't work correctly after you restart computers.

Original KB number: 951049

Problem description

On a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista, folder redirection is enabled. You log on immediately after you restart the computer. In this case, Windows Explorer tries to display the desktop before the Workstation service starts, and you experience one of the following problems:

  • When you try to access redirected folders, you receive the following error message: \servername*Username*sharename** is currently unavailable.

  • The Documents, Pictures, Music, and Desktop folders are not visible.

Workaround

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Log off, and then log on again

Windows Explorer uses the Well-Known folder cache. The Well-Known folder cache is initialized during logon. When you log off and then log on again, Windows rebuilds the cache. At this point, you can apply Group Policy settings correctly. Additionally, the cache is populated correctly.

Method 2: Wait for 12 minutes

The default update interval for the Well-Known folder cache is 12 minutes. To gain access to the redirected folders, wait for the 12-minute update interval to end.

Method 3: Decrease the update interval

You can change the registry to decrease the update interval for the Well-Known folder cache.

To have us fix this problem for you, go to the "Fix it for me" section. If you'd rather fix this problem yourself, go to the "Let me fix it myself" section.

Fix it for me

To fix this problem automatically, click theFix this problem link. Then clickRun in theFile Download dialog box, and follow the steps in this wizard.

Note

This wizard may be in English only; however, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.

Note

If you are not on the computer that has the problem, you can save the automatic fix to a flash drive or a CD so that you can run it on the computer that has the problem.

Now go to the "Did this fix the problem?" section.

Let me fix it myself

Important

This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

You can decrease the update interval for the Well-Known folder cache by changing two registry values for the KnownFolderSettings subkey. These values control the intervals that are used to update the Well-Known folder cache, based on the success or failure of queries. By default, there is no KnownFolderSettings subkey. Instead, you must create this subkey. To create the KnownFolderSettings subkey and its values, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.

  2. Locate and then click the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.

  4. Type KnownFolderSettings, and then press ENTER.

  5. Right-click KnownFolderSettings, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type CachetimeoutSuccess.

  6. Right-click CachetimeoutSuccess, and then click Modify.

  7. In the Value Data field, type a value from 0 to 720000 milliseconds (ms).

    Note

    The CachetimeoutSuccess registry value controls the time-out for cache entries that are populated successfully when the cache is built. We recommend that you set this value to the maximum value of 720000 ms (12 minutes) except when you have to configure the cache to repopulate the settings more frequently. Decreased values may cause an increase in processor and network load. (This increased load is associated with Windows Explorer.)

  8. Right-click KnownFolderSettings, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type CachetimeoutFailure.

  9. Right-click CachetimeoutFailure, and then click Modify.

  10. In the Value Data field, type a value from 0 to 720000 ms.

Note

The CachetimeoutFailure registry value controls the time-out for cache entries that are not populated successfully when the cache is built. We recommend that you set this value to 60000 ms. When you do this, Windows Explorer tries to repopulate failed cache entries after 1 minute. This time frame is sufficient for the Workstation service to complete the initialization process.

Did this fix the problem?

Check whether the problem is fixed. If the problem is fixed, you are finished with this article. If the problem is not fixed, you can contact support.

More information

Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista use the Well-Known folders feature to determine the location of folders in the user profile. By using this feature, Windows redirects Well-Known folders to other locations as needed. Specifically, Windows Explorer queries the Well-Known folder GUID. This query returns the actual folder location, whether on a hard disk drive or on a remote server.

Windows Explorer optimizes Well-Known folder lookups by caching the Well-Known folders and their locations. Queries are performed against the cache, and the location is then returned to the application or to Windows Explorer.

When you use folder redirection, you receive the folder redirection settings from Group Policy. This process cannot occur unless the Workstation service has started. If the Workstation service has not started, the Well-Known folder cache is unavailable. This causes queries for redirected folder locations to fail. Additionally, the cache remains unavailable until the next update. By default, this cache is updated every 12 minutes (after the cache is first initialized and built during logon).

Status

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem.

Folder redirection doesn't work correctly - Windows Client (2024)

FAQs

How do I fix a broken Folder Redirection? ›

Fix Folder Redirection Failed
  1. Take Ownership of the Folder. If you don't have the permission to access the folder, you will, of course, encounter the Folder Redirection Failed error. ...
  2. Add Authenticated Users or Domain Computers. ...
  3. Clear Disk Space. ...
  4. Try the Find Target route. ...
  5. Change Ownership/Reset Defaults for all user folders.
Nov 25, 2020

How do we know if the Folder Redirection is configured correctly? ›

To test Folder Redirection, sign in to a computer by using a user account that is configured to use redirected folders. Then confirm that the folders and profiles are redirected.

How to configure server client Folder Redirection? ›

Configure Folder Redirection settings under User Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Folder Redirection. Specify the target folder that we want to redirect to the network location. In this demonstration, the document folder is selected to redirect to the E drive on the server.

What is the best practice for Folder Redirection? ›

For optimal performance of the Folder Redirection feature, it is strongly recommended that you create only the root share on the server, and then let the system create the folders for each user.

How do I fix redirection problems? ›

See if the following steps will fix your issue.
  1. Check your browser settings. Make sure that your browser is not configured to redirect pages. ...
  2. Check your extensions. Some extensions can cause unwanted redirects. ...
  3. Scan your computer for malware. ...
  4. Contact the website you're trying to visit.
Mar 30, 2023

How to reset Folder Redirection? ›

You have to go to the original policy that you used to redirect the folders, on the “Settings” tab, configure the Policy Removal setting to “redirect the folder back to the user profile

Which role is responsible for Folder Redirection service? ›

Administrators can use Folder Redirection, Offline Files, and Roaming User Profiles to centralize storage for user data and settings. These features let users access their data while offline or in the event of a network or server outage.

What are the registry settings for Folder Redirection in Windows? ›

The registry key for folder redirection settings are in… HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders and another key above that one for just Shell folders. My friend, please take my advice and stay away from folder redirection!

What is the difference between Folder Redirection and roaming profile? ›

Roaming User Profiles is used to redirect a user profile to a network location, whereas Folder Redirection enables users and administrators to redirect the path of a known folder to a new location, manually or by using Group Policy. So, the latter may allow for more granularity.

How to check if a folder is redirected? ›

How to verify that folder redirection works
  1. In a session, navigate to a folder you directed, right-click the folder, and then select Properties.
  2. 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.
Sep 25, 2020

Where is the root path for Folder Redirection? ›

Folder Redirection is located under Windows Settings in the console tree when you edit domain-based Group Policy by using the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC). The path is <Group Policy Object Name>\User Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Folder Redirection .

How to access Folder Redirection? ›

You can access these settings by opening the Group Policy Management Console, selecting the appropriate policy, and navigating to User Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Folder Redirection.

What are the default permissions for Folder Redirection? ›

The default permission for Windows folder redirection is to grant the user exclusive rights. This means an administrator does not have read access to the redirected folders to back them up.

Is Folder Redirection a good idea why or why not? ›

Folder Redirection allows saving data regardless of storage location and separates user data from profile data decreasing the time required to log on. Other advantages include: Data is stored on a server where it can be backed up.

What is the best redirect method? ›

301 moved permanently

301 refers to the HTTP status code for this type of redirect. In most instances, the 301 redirect is the best method for implementing redirects on a website.

How do I fix a broken folder permission? ›

How to Fix Broken Permissions. Fixing broken inheritance is simple. All you have to do is open the permissions settings for the broken folder and remove or add the permissions to make the ACL match the parent. If you want to change permissions for the entire folder tree, change the ACLs on the top node.

How do I fix a broken Active Directory? ›

Run the Windows tool 'msconfig.exe' and change the boot mode option to switch to the DSRM mode at the next restart, this will save you from having to press F8 during boot time which is more difficult in a VM. Run 'msconfig.exe' and switch to the "Boot" tab. Under "Boot options", select "Active Directory repair".

What are broken redirects? ›

A broken redirect is a URL redirection that leads to an error page. There are many different error pages that can be displayed, but the most common is the 404 Not Found error page.

How do I fix a damaged partition? ›

To fix corrupted partition with a damaged file system, Windows's built-in disk check tool can be helpful.
  1. Go to Windows Search and type cmd.
  2. Right-click "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator".
  3. Enter the following command and press Enter: chkdsk E: /f /r /x.
Feb 1, 2024

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