Our organization is supposed to redirect and back up users' Desktop and Documents folders to a file server. This works for most accounts, but a few users have profile folders created on the server that remain completely empty, while their files continue to be stored only on their workstations. I've checked the relevant policies and configuration but haven't found the cause. Has anyone dealt with folder redirection where the server-side folder exists but nothing syncs or gets copied into it?
4 Answers
First verify that the folder redirection policy is actually applying to the affected users. Check Group Policy results or RSOP on one of the workstations and compare its settings with a user for whom redirection works.
If offline files are involved, the workstation’s Client-Side Caching database could be stuck or corrupted. Make a safe local backup of the cached user data first, then rebuild the cache using the supported CSC database reset procedure and reboot the machine. A damaged cache can prevent changes from reaching the server, although recurring policy or permissions problems may still need to be fixed. If the machine has several related policy issues, reimaging it may ultimately be safer than continuing to repair individual symptoms.
Look at whether the folders are being created as actual redirected Desktop and Documents locations or merely as ordinary folders on the server. Also confirm that the policy is configured to create the destination automatically and check whether offline file synchronization is enabled. The policy’s result report should help show whether those settings reached the workstation.
Permissions are worth checking at both the share and NTFS levels. The user needs the appropriate access to create and modify the redirected folders, and the computer or system account may also need access depending on how the folders are being created. Confirm that the affected user can browse to and write to the target path using its UNC address.
The user and system accounts already appear to have full access, so I’m checking policy application and the actual folder behavior next.