Folders cannot perform Group Policy redirection or manual redirection on a Windows Vista-based computer (920727)

Beta Information

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Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario. On a Microsoft Windows Vista-based computer, you redirect folder A to the same location as non-redirectable folder B. In this scenario, you experience the following problems:

Folder A can no longer perform Group Policy redirection.
Folder A no longer lets you perform manual redirection.

Additionally, consider the following scenario. On a Windows Vista-based computer, you redirect folder A to the same location as a different redirectable folder B. You move all the contents of folder A to the new location. In this scenario, you experience the following problems:

Folder A merges with folder B, and you cannot separate the folders.
Folder A is listed two times in the user profiles folder in Windows Explorer.

For example, you redirect the Music folder to the location of the Pictures folder, and then you move all the contents of the Music folder to the new location. In this scenario, the Music folder merges with the Pictures folder, and you cannot separate the folders. Then, the Music folder is listed two times in the user profiles folder in Windows Explorer.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:

The folder definition of the parent of the destination folder that you are redirecting defines the "cannot be redirected" property.
The folder definition of the destination folder that you are redirecting defines the "cannot be redirected" property.

RESOLUTION

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To resolve this problem, separate the folders in the registry, and then move the data that you want to the new folders. For example, if you want to separate the Music folder and the Pictures folder, follow these steps:

Create a new folder that is named Music at the location that you want.
Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
In the left pane, locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\Music
In the Value data box, type the path of the new Music folder that you created, and then click OK.
In the left pane, locate and then click the following registry entry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Music
In the Value data box, type the path of the new Music folder that you created, and then click OK.
Log off, and then log back on.
Manually move the data that you want to the new Music folder that you created.

Note When you move data, the physical structure of the data in the folder does not change.