Incomputing, and specifically in the context ofMicrosoft Windows,folder redirection refers to automatically re-routing to or from standardfolders to usestorage elsewhere on anetwork.[1]
It is often used in an office network environment to ensure that users do not store data locally when a network device is the preferred storage location. 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:[2]
Under Microsoft Windows, the redirection is often performed byGroup Policy,[3] when used in anActive Directory environment. It can also be performed by manually editing theWindows Registry, changing library locations,[4] or with tools such asTweak UI.Disk quotas can be used to limit the amount of space taken up by users' special folders. The%username% and%userprofile%environment variables can also be used with Folder Redirection.
Up toWindows XP, theApplication Data,Desktop,My Documents,My Pictures, andStart Menuspecial folders can be redirected to a file server. Windows XP also implements a Recycle Bin for the My Documents folder.
Windows Vista introduces the ability to independently redirect up to 10 user profile sub-folders to a network location.[5] There is also aManagement Console snap-in in Windows Vista to allow users to configureFolder Redirection for clients running Windows Vista, Windows XP, andWindows 2000. Each redirected folder in Vista and later also has a Recycle Bin associated with it.
UnderWindows 7 and later, the following user folders may be redirected: AppData/Roaming, Contacts, Desktop, Downloads, Favorites, Links, Music, Documents, Pictures, Saved Games, Searches, Start Menu, and Videos.[6]
The equivalent functionality is achieved inUnix-like systems by usingmount orln and aNFS orCIF.
