Admins can set up known folder redirection to Box Drive for users by using system administration tools such as Group Policy Objects (GPO). At this time, end users cannot configure this feature.
What is Known Folder Redirection?
This new feature allows known folders, such as Documents and Desktop, to be located inside (or redirected to) Box Drive. These folders become part of Box Drive and will sync along with their contents, ensuring user files are backed up, synchronized, and accessible across devices.
Note: This feature is only available on the new version Box Drive for Windows based on new architecture (introduced in version 2.47). It is not yet supported on Box Drive for macOS.
Before you start, check the requirements:
- Ensure target devices have Box Drive version 2.47 or later installed.
- Make sure your organization has upgraded to the new version of Box Drive, which is built on the newer architecture. The older version of Box Drive for Windows does not support this feature.
Known options for remote enabling the feature:
Recommended Method for Enabling the Feature Remotely
To enable Folder Redirection remotely, use Group Policy. Follow the step-by-step instructions below and refer to Microsoft’s official guide for more details: Folder Redirection Using Group Policy: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/folder-redirection/folder-redirection-using-group-policy
Important: Moving the contents of Known Folder to the new location is a separate action that should be performed after enabling Known Folder Redirection. For more details, see: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/folder-redirection/folder-redirection-using-group-policy#configuring-other-settings-for-the-redirected-folder
Other remote options (may require more advanced configuration)
- Local Group Policy Editor: Configure Folder Redirection on individual machines via the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), useful for testing or small-scale setups.
- PowerShell Scripting: Automate folder redirection settings by scripting registry changes or applying GPOs remotely through PowerShell.
- System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM): Deploy policies or scripts across managed devices to configure Folder Redirection enterprise-wide.
- Third-Party Management Tools / MDM Solutions: Use endpoint management platforms such as Microsoft Intune to configure folder redirection or similar user data redirection features.
Known limitations and key considerations:
- Do not rename or delete the redirected folders on Box.com
- Moving the contents of a Known Folder to a new location after enabling Folder Redirection is currently not supported. You need to perform this action separately upon enabling Folder Redirection.
- When redirecting a known folder to a new location on Box Drive, ensure the target folder already exists and the user has edit permissions for it.
How to disable Known Folder Redirection:
Follow the instructions used to move to Box Drive, using a local folder to relocate files. The files on Box.com will be deleted if they are moved back during the revert process.
How to block end users from accessing Known Folders Redirection:
To block users from using Known Folder Redirection, admins can disable or hide the "Location" tab in the folder properties of known folders on Windows. This prevents users from changing the folder redirection settings manually. To do this, use Group Policy or registry edits to remove access to the "Location" tab for those folders, effectively blocking users from redirecting these folders to Box Drive or other locations.