FAQ
TL;DR: "Group Policy is refreshed in the background every 90 minutes, with a random offset of 0–30 minutes." Use a Group Policy Shortcuts preference to place network-drive icons on users’ Desktops, and fix permissions if icons don’t appear. [Group Policy fundamentals - Windows Client]
Why it matters: Admins who ask “how do I map drives to the desktop via domain logon?” can automate this reliably at scale for users.
Quick Facts
- Method: User Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Shortcuts places icons on users’ Desktops. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #17098358]
- Verified platform: Windows Server 2016 domain with Windows 10 clients worked in testing. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #17099740]
- Refresh timing: Background GPO refresh is 90 minutes + 0–30 minutes random offset. [Group Policy fundamentals - Windows Client]
- Scale example: Useful when managing 20+ PCs and multiple drives, instead of manual clicks. [Elektroda, lukaes, post #17098007]
- Common blocker: Wrong permissions on the Desktop path or share prevent shortcut creation. [Elektroda, lukaes, post #17099867]
Can I map a network drive directly to the Desktop instead of This PC?
Not directly. Mapping creates a drive letter in File Explorer. To expose it on the Desktop, deploy a shortcut to the mapped drive or UNC path. Use Group Policy Preferences (Shortcuts) to push the icon domain-wide instead of creating it manually on each PC. [Elektroda, salmon, post #17098341]
How do I create a desktop shortcut to a mapped or UNC drive using Group Policy?
Use a Shortcuts preference item.
- In GPMC, edit a user‑scoped GPO: User Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Shortcuts.
- New Shortcut: Action=Create, Location=Desktop, Target path=\server\share or H:\, set Name/Icon.
- Link/scope the GPO to your users; log off/on to see the icon. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #17098358]
Why doesn’t the desktop shortcut appear after I set the GPO?
Check permissions first. In the thread, the shortcut failed because of file permission issues. After fixing access, the desktop shortcut deployed correctly. Ensure the user can write to the Desktop location and read the target share. [Elektroda, lukaes, post #17099867]
Which Windows versions did you confirm this on?
It worked on a Windows Server 2016 domain with Windows 10 clients. The shortcut deployed from a user‑scoped Shortcuts preference and appeared on the Desktop. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #17099740]
I have 20 computers and multiple drives. What’s the fastest approach?
Create one GPO and add a Shortcuts preference per drive you want visible. This avoids manually mapping or placing icons on 20 PCs. The original scenario involved exactly this scale. [Elektroda, lukaes, post #17098007]
When will users see the new Desktop icon?
At next logon or during background refresh. "Group Policy is refreshed in the background every 90 minutes, with a random offset of 0–30 minutes." Tell users to log off/on or wait for refresh. [Group Policy fundamentals - Windows Client]
Can I target only specific users or groups with the desktop shortcut?
Yes. Use Item‑level targeting on the Shortcuts preference item. You can target a security group, OU, computer, IP range, and more from the targeting editor. [Configure item-level targeting - Windows]
My logon script maps drives, but no Desktop icon appears. Why?
Drive‑mapping scripts create letters under This PC, not Desktop icons. Add a separate Desktop shortcut via GPO Shortcuts or a script that writes a .lnk file. The thread confirms mapping alone showed only in "My Computer." [Elektroda, lukaes, post #17098085]
Is it okay to put this setting in the Default Domain Policy?
It works and is fine for quick testing. A participant placed the Shortcuts item in Default Domain Policy and the desktop icon appeared as expected. For production, link a dedicated GPO to the right OU. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #17098358]
How can I create the Desktop shortcut without Group Policy?
Use a script to create a .lnk. The WScript.Shell CreateShortcut method can write a shortcut to %Public%\Desktop or the user’s Desktop. Set TargetPath to the mapped drive or UNC, then save the shortcut. [WshShell.CreateShortcut method - Windows]
Can I assign a custom icon to the desktop shortcut?
Yes. In the Shortcuts preference item, set a custom icon file so the network drive shortcut stands out for users. This was suggested and tested in the thread. [Elektroda, jprzedworski, post #17098358]
How do I verify the policy with the desktop shortcut actually applied?
Run gpresult /r as the affected user to see which GPOs applied. Confirm the GPO containing your Shortcuts preference is listed under User Settings. [gpresult - Windows Commands]
or some minor mistake. I have Windows Server 2016 + Windows 10 and it worked. I don't have it on a daily basis, because I don't want such shortcuts, but you can. I put it in the Default Domain Policy so as not to play around with little things. Since other rules work there, this one should too. I have no idea what else you need. I understand that what you want to connect to the desktop has been previously defined as a shared resource. Anyway, it wouldn't be possible to map it otherwise. And try to make such a shortcut manually on the desktop with the same path to the resource ("Target path" in GPO configuration).
