If you are in an Active Directory environment with a mix of computers, i.e. Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, then you may have noticed a small problem with roaming user profiles.
Basically, profiles created for users in Windows 2000, XP or Server 2003 are incompatible with profiles created for users in Windows Vista or Server 2008. The reason why they are incompatible is because of the way user profiles are designed.
It is possible, however, to use a profile created on 2000, XP or Server 2003 on Vista and Server 2008. There are two methods to go about migrating the roaming user profile data to the new Version 2 format for user profiles.
The first method involves using the User State Migration Tool and the second method involves using Folder Redirection to share data between the two user profile formats.
Use User State Migration Tool to migrate profile data
It’s best to use the USMT if you are not using roaming profiles or folder redirection in your Active Directory environment. It’s also better to use if you want to migrate more data from the user profile, such as desktop settings and preferences, which will not be migrated if you use folder redirection.
You can read my previous post on how to use the User State Migration Tool to transfer a profile from one computer to another. It will migrate not only user files, but also registry settings, application settings, and other system and desktop preferences.
Note that USMT is only good for user profiles that are stored on the local computer, it cannot migrate a profile if it is stored on a server.
Use Folder Redirection to share data between user profile versions
If your profiles are stored in a central location and you are using roaming profiles with folder redirection, then this is your preferred method to migrate profiles. Note that this method will only transfer data, not system preferences, i.e. wallpapers, etc.
Step 1: Make sure that the roaming profile path is listed in the Profile tab for each user in Active Directory Users and Computers.
Step 2: Now to configure folder redirection policies for Windows XP and Server 2003 computers, you have to configure a GPO using the Group Policy Management Console. Note that you have to do this on a Windows XP or Server 2003 machine first.
You can get to the redirection policies by going to User Configuration\Windows Settings\Folder Redirection. Make sure to redirect the folders that you want to share between the two versions to a share that is different from the user profile share.
Also make sure that the Grant the user exclusive rights to <Redirected Folder Name> check box is NOT selected. If it is selected, the profiles will not be able to share data.
Step 3: Once you have saved the policy, go to a Windows Vista or Server 2008 computer and edit it. Review the folder redirection settings for the GPO.
Make sure to check the Also apply redirection policy to Windows 2000, Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 operating systems check box.
Once you have made these changes, the data from the original user profile should appear in the new Version 2 user profile. When a user logs into a Windows Vista or Server 2008 machine for the first time, their data and files should appear in their new profile. Enjoy!
You stated “Make sure to redirect the folders that you want to share between the two versions to a share that is different from the user profile share.” Why does this need to be a different share? Can’t I use redirection for the Vista/2008 computers to point to the non-V2 profile?