Benefits of Folder Redirection (Windows 7)

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Windows 7 offers folder redirection as an alternative to the roaming profile. It allows user [gs folder]s, such as My Documents, to be redirected to the server. If your  users access more than one [gs computer], this feature is very helpful. Less bandwidth is required,  so the impact on your networks performance is not as noticable.

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Benefits:

  • Individual profiles require data be moved back and forth across the network which negatively affects performance. Folder redirection eliminates the need for the frequent transfer of this data.
  • The data is housed in a central, managed location. If the user can access the network, generally the data will be available to them.
  • Chances of losing the data is greated reduced because the [gs server] is backed up routinely.
  • If you're using Vista, this feature is also available to you.

    Folders that Can Be Redirected

    My Documents, Application Data, Desktop, and Start Menu are the top level folders that can be redirected. These were identified as the key folders that an organization would need to redirect to preserve important user data and settings. There are several advantages to redirecting each of these [gs folder]s. The usefulness of each will vary according to your organizations needs.

  • My Documents. The place in the shell for users to save their documents and pictures. Because common dialog boxes in Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP point to the My Documents folder by default, there is a greater tendency for users to save files there. Data stored on a shared network server can be backed up as part of routine system administration, and is safer because it requires no action from the user.
  • Application Data. Often applications place large data, such as dictionaries, in the Application Data portion of the user's profile, which roams with the [gs user]. To improve [gs performance], Application Data was added to the list of folders that can be redirected. This means that users can still have access to Application Data (such as the custom dictionary), but without the need to download the (possibly large) files at every logon.
  • Desktop. Some organizations want to configure computers to look the same. By redirecting the desktop for a group of users, you can ensure that all users share the same desktop, with the same desktop items.
  • Start Menu. For compatibility with Windows NT 4.0, Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP allow you to use Folder Redirection to redirect the Start menu folder. Start menu redirection is treated differently from other redirected folders in that the contents of the users Start menu are not copied to the redirected location. It is assumed that a redirected Start menu has been pre-created by an administrator and that all users Start menus will be the same. As a best practice for computers running Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP, do not use Folder Redirection to redirect the Start menu folder, use Group Policy to control what appears on the Start menu.
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