---
name: Cascades-specific operational rules (folder redirect, security groups)
description: Two active rules for Cascades work — (1) folder redirection (fdeploy) needs subfolders pre-created before first logon or it caches a failure forever; recovery via fix-shell-redirect.ps1; (2) always ASK which security group(s) a new user goes into — never auto-derive from OU. Root-cause / incident detail in project_cascades_history.md.
type: feedback
---

Current-state context: [[project_cascades]]. Root cause / incident detail: [[project_cascades_history]].

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## 1. Folder redirection — pre-create subfolders BEFORE first logon

**UPDATE 2026-06-08:** the real reason every machine needed the manual workaround was a **misnamed GPO config file** (`fdeploy1.ini` instead of `fdeploy.ini`) — native FR was DOA tenant-wide. Now fixed; native FR redirects all 5 folders on first logon. Full detail: [[reference_cascades_fr_gpo_fix]]. Still pre-create the home folder before first logon (below). The `fix-shell-redirect.ps1` workaround should no longer be needed for new users — if it ever is again, check that the GPO still has a valid `fdeploy.ini` first.

fdeploy caches failures and never retries if subfolders don't exist at first logon. "No changes detected" = stuck forever without manual intervention.

**Mandatory order for every new user:**
1. Create AD user.
2. Run `New-HomeFolder -Username "<sam>"` on **CS-SERVER** — creates root + Desktop / Documents / Downloads / Music / Pictures subfolders with correct ACL.
3. Add user to `SG-FolderRedirect`.
4. THEN first domain logon.

**Recovery (fdeploy already cached a failure):**
- Run `clients/cascades-tucson/scripts/fix-shell-redirect.ps1` via GuruRMM on the client **while the user is logged in**.
- Script sets both GUID-based and legacy-name registry keys (`Personal`, `My Music`, `My Pictures`) in `HKU\<SID>`.
- Folders must already exist on server — script doesn't create them.
- User logs off and on to pick up changes.

Why both GUID and legacy keys: Downloads has no legacy-name key (GUID alone suffices); Documents / Music / Pictures have both, and Windows reads the legacy key for the actual shell folder — GUID alone is insufficient.

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## 2. ASK which security group(s) a new user goes into — never auto-derive

When creating or being asked to create any Cascades user account (AD or M365), always ask the user **which security group(s)** the new account should be a member of. Include it explicitly in the creation preview/confirmation alongside name, UPN, and OU — do not assume from OU, department, or job title.

**Why:** Howard explicitly declined an `OU=Caregivers` → `SG-Caregivers` auto-mirror script (2026-05-14). Security-group membership controls access and CA-policy coverage; he wants that to stay a deliberate, reviewed decision per user, never automated.

OU placement is mechanical (controls Entra Connect sync scope); group membership is an access-control decision and must be made consciously.

**Caregivers example:** account goes in `OU=Caregivers` (sync scope) AND must be deliberately added to `SG-Caregivers` (CA policy coverage) — two separate, intentional steps; neither auto-derived from the other.
