Verify old and new Folder Redirection targets point to the same share before redirecting

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016

This policy setting allows you to prevent data loss when you change the target location for Folder Redirection, and the new and old targets point to the same network share, but have different network paths. If you enable this policy setting, Folder Redirection creates a temporary file in the old location in order to verify that new and old locations point to the same network share. If both new and old locations point to the same share, the target path is updated and files are not copied or deleted. The temporary file is deleted. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Folder Redirection does not create a temporary file and functions as if both new and old locations point to different shares when their network paths are different. Note: If the paths point to different network shares, this policy setting is not required. If the paths point to the same network share, any data contained in the redirected folders is deleted if this policy setting is not enabled.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• User
  Allow only per user or approved shell extensions

  At least Windows 2000
• Computer
  Allow the use of remote paths in file shortcut icons

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Disable binding directly to IPropertySetStorage without intermediate layers.

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Disable binding directly to IPropertySetStorage without intermediate layers.

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Disable Known Folders

  At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
• User
  Display confirmation dialog when deleting files

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional
• User
  Display the menu bar in File Explorer

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Do not allow Folder Options to be opened from the Options button on the View tab of the ribbon

  At least Windows 2000
• Computer
  Do not apply the Mark of the Web tag to files copied from insecure sources

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• User
  Do not display the Welcome Center at user logon

  Windows Vista only
• User
  Do not move deleted files to the Recycle Bin

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional