Question : Windows 2003 Group Policy Desktop and Start Menu Redirection

I have got a Windows 2003 test server up and running with AD ready and configured. I have set up an OU called Staff in which all teaching staff will go. I have created two test users, I have a notebook with XP Installed and connected to the domain.

I am playing with group policies and have setup a policies folder which is shared and the users have the appropriate permissions to read the files within the staff folder inside the policies folder e.g.

          Policies
               |
             Staff                
               |
Desktop    Start Menu

I have edited the GPO to redirect the desktop to the desktop folder in the staff policies folder and the start menu to start menu as above.

Within the desktop folder is shortcuts (e.g. A:, Intranet Link, Office Programs).

When the user logs in, it displays the shortcuts  but no program icons even though the program is installed. Also the shortcuts have the synchronise icon next to it, i haven't (i dont think) setup any synchronisation. Also the start menu redirection adds the folders into the start menu but it doesnt overwrite the original folders like policies does in windows 98. Surely the programs folder should overwrite the existing folder and appear as i want it to.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer : Windows 2003 Group Policy Desktop and Start Menu Redirection

Hi,

First off al, the menu items aren't overwritten. There is an option in GPO where you can say not to use the original start menu
User Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Start Menu and Taskbar
Option: Remove Common Program Groups from Start Menu

This will disable all the options that are in the start menu..
Icons indeed is a problem. You will need to go to the server where you created the redirection (or make a connection to it by using an admin account) and choose a new program icon from there, normally it should work after that.

And i don't know the part about the sync. I would say, there is some kin of syncing going on in there. You can disable all syncing features, than you don't need to bother anymore..
User Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Network -->Offline Files
Option: Prohibit user configuration of Offline Files