If I create a file in the folder on the desktop it instantly creates it in the actual sysvol folder. Same goes if I create a file in the sysvol folder it gets created in the folder on the desktop. If I delete a file from either location it deletes it from both folders. Seems like both folders are point to the same data but located in different locations. It has been like this since I started this job but cant seem to figure out a fix. I have never seen this before.

Seems there's some profile corruption somewhere in; HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders Might save off your profile data and have an admin delete the profile. A new profile will be created from \default user profile. Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows]

Someone may have also changed the defaults for My Documents http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310147 Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows]

If I delete the profile itll also delete that desktop folder. Does that mean the contents of the c:\windows\sysvol folder would get deleted also? Seems like the 2 folder are linked and I dont want to screw up AD.

Does that mean the contents of the c:\windows\sysvol folder would get deleted also? No, that should not happen. Desktop or My Documents? What operating system? Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows]

desktop and DC server 2003

I'd check the two registry locations. Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows]

The reg keys look good so Ill disconnect the server from the network, backup and delete the user profile. Im disconnecting the server from the network just to make sure the sysvol contents dont get deleted. If they do then it wont be able to replicate the changes across the network and Ill restore the server from the backup. Ill then check to make sure that the sysvol contents are still where they should be. ill let you know how it goes. Thanks

What happens if you logon as a new or different user? Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows]

Fresh desktop, no folders.

Also could be a failed attempt at moving sysvol http://support.microsoft.com/kb/842162 Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows]

All of the registry settings I can find are point to the c:\windows\sysvol location. Frs references the same location. I cannot find anything that point to that desktop folder.

I run through the tech doc and see if itll clear up the issue.

I did this once and learned the hardway by deleting my SYSVOL. Basically if you drag SYSVOL to copy it somewhere, it doesn't copy but instead creates another reparse junction point pointing to the folder. It is how all the DC's have one folder that is linked together. You need to break the link You can use Linkd available from the Windows Resource Kit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/205524 More info on Junction Points http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTFS_junction_point lforbes

THANK YOU lforbes! I have been pulling my hair out thinking I would have to rebuild AD because of the previous person here. It was a junction point.

tell us how you solved the issue it would be great help to the users herehttp://www.virmansec.com/blogs/skhairuddin

I used Linkd.exe as referenced in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/205524 and deleted the Junction point that was located on the desktop. Once the Junction point was gone I was then able to delete the actual desktop folder using windows explorer. Below is the command that was used to get rid of the junction point: linkd "c:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\FOLDER" /D

I used Linkd.exe as referenced in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/205524 and deleted the Junction point that was located on the desktop. Once the Junction point was gone I was then able to delete the actual desktop folder using windows explorer. Below is the command that was used to get rid of the junction point: linkd "c:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\FOLDER" /D Great news. Glad you got it fixed. Rebuilding SYSVOL is a huge pain. I do think there should be more failsafes for this but maybe there is in Windows 2008.lforbes