Offline files attempting to synchronize with parent file share, tried to resolve with GPO

we have had intermittent problems with offline file synchronization in our organization since windows server 2003 / xp.  used things wrong way, , trying use gpos on new file server to accomplish reliable offline file sync, still having problems.

the old (wrong) way

we had 2003 file server (fs01) that held everyone's documents in share called data$.  within data$, every user had folder:

\\fs01\data$\user1

\\fs01\data$\user2

the wrong thing doing, mapping users' home directories z:\ \\fs01\data$\%username% in ad accounts, point documents folder z:\.  offline file sync worked in scenario, intermittently failed number of users.  later found, on microsoft forum, sync might have been failing because users' home folders contain hidden , system files ($recycler$, ntuser.dat, etc...), , offline document sync didn't trying sync files, try sync parent share, \\fs01\data$.

reinitializing offline files cache / deleting offline files work, problem come back.

the new (ms best practices, think) way

we're trying use gpos redirect users' document folders, , have coincidentally set new file server around same time.  users have new computers , on windows 7.

parent share = \\fs02\data

ad account profile settings = home folder:  connect z: \\fs02\data\%username%

gpo settings user configuration \ policies \ windows settings \ folder redirection \ documents:

• basic - redirect everyone's folder same location
• create folder each user under root path
• root path = \\fs02\data
• grant user exclusive rights documents
• move contents of documents new location
• also apply 2000, xp, 2003
• leave contents in new location when policy removed

now having 2 problems:

1. we have migrated test group on fs02.  user folders showing in target location (for example \\fs02\data\user\my documents), no documents moving on new documents folder.  we've tried both "grant user exclusive rights" check , unchecked.  had worked 7 out of 8 members of earlier test group, , 8th member, documents came over.
2. i part of first test group (my documents have been living on fs02 time without problems), today, when computer tried sync offline files, got error because trying sync files of user documents had been moved fs02 today.

the file sync error has been ongoing problem no answer years, , i'm concerned gpo isn't behaving way it's supposed to.  gpresult , rsop both show should affected end users.  long-winded problem appreciated.

for step "create folder each user under root path", folders such \\fs02\data\<usera> should created automatically when user first time logged on group policy applied. created folder users, create owner administrator instead of user account may cause issue. test redo part see result.

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Windows Server  >  File Services and Storage