Configuring folder redirection works with roaming profiles

Virtual desktop users often need to store files that should remain available after they log off. Folder redirection is one way to centralize user data storage so important files are not lost when a nonpersistent virtual desktop session ends. Virtual desktop administrators often configure roaming profiles and folder redirection together as part of a user-personalization strategy. Roaming profiles store user settings, while folder redirection moves selected user folders, such as Documents or Desktop, to a centralized location. Used together, they can improve user experience and reduce profile bloat, but they also require planning around storage, network performance and backup. In modern virtual desktop environments, folder redirection should be evaluated alongside profile containers and other profile-management tools. It can still be useful with roaming profiles, but environments that use Azure Virtual Desktop, nonpersistent desktops or Microsoft 365 app data might rely on FSLogix profile containers instead of, or in addition to, traditional roaming-profile designs. A home folder is not the same as folder redirection. Both use centralized storage, but they work differently. A home folder is a shared drive that maps at logon and gives the user a place to store personal files. Folder redirection automatically redirects specific Windows folder contents, such as Documents or Desktop, to a target location that IT defines through Group Policy. When IT admins configure home folders for a virtual desktop environment, they should configure them specifically for Remote Desktop Services. To do so, they will need this group policy object (GPO): Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Profiles > Set Remote Desktop Services User Home. Benefits of folder redirection for virtual desktops Without folder redirection, saving files on a virtual desktop can present difficulties. For example, users may get confused if...