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name: Cascades Folder Redirection GPO — DOA root cause + fix (misnamed fdeploy)
description: Why native Folder Redirection failed on EVERY Cascades machine (LE + staff) and forced the per-user registry workaround — the GPO's redirect targets were saved in a misnamed fdeploy1.ini; Windows only reads fdeploy.ini. Fixed 2026-06-08. Read when touching Cascades folder redirection or onboarding a new Cascades user.
metadata:
  type: reference
---

**Root cause (found 2026-06-08):** Native Folder Redirection never worked at Cascades — every machine needed `fix-shell-redirect.ps1`. The FR GPO `CSC - Folder Redirection` (`{512B43A4-F049-4CE5-BFAC-860AD13E92BE}`) had its redirect targets in a file named **`fdeploy1.ini`**, but the Windows FR client-side extension reads **`fdeploy.ini`** only. No `fdeploy.ini` existed → the client knew which 5 folders to redirect but got an **empty target path** (FR Operational log event 1006 shows `Path = ""`, and there is NO event 1008 "successfully redirected"). It silently no-op'd. The GPO had been hand-built by editing the wrong filename.

**Fix:** wrote a correct `fdeploy.ini` (5 folders, `Flags=187`, `FullPath=\\CS-SERVER\Homes\%USERNAME%\<Folder>`) into `{512B43A4-...}\User\Documents & Settings\`, then bumped the GPO version 917506→983042 keeping **GPT.INI Version AND the AD `versionNumber` attribute in sync** (FR is a foreground/logon CSE; it only re-applies when the version changes). Canonical artifact: `clients/cascades-tucson/gpo/fdeploy.ini`. Backup of original `\User` tree + GPT.INI: `C:\Windows\Temp\frfix-20260608-161144` on CS-SERVER.

**How to apply / diagnose elsewhere:**
- Diagnose: on the client, `Get-WinEvent -LogName 'Microsoft-Windows-Folder Redirection/Operational'` — `Path = ""` in event 1006 + no 1008 = the GPO is delivering no target path (missing/empty/misnamed `fdeploy.ini`).
- The dead `fdeploy1.ini` was LEFT in place (Windows ignores it) — do NOT edit it. Edit redirection via GPMC, or replace `fdeploy.ini` from the repo artifact.
- The **LE GPO** `CSC - Folder Redirection (LE)` (`{889BE7BE-...}`) is also broken — `\User` tree completely empty. Retire it / move LE users into SG-FolderRedirect, or apply the same fix.
- After the fix, the per-user registry workaround should no longer be needed; native FR redirects all 5 folders on first logon. Still pre-create the home folder (`New-HomeFolder`) before first logon. See [[feedback_cascades]].

**Also (2026-06-08):** CS-SERVER live GuruRMM agent re-enrolled to `c39f1de7-d5b6-45ae-b132-e06977ab1713` (old `6766e973` is stale) — always resolve the agent live by hostname, never hardcode. Related: [[project_cascades]].