Data Igloo User Guide

Last modified: August, - 2010 Faronics Corporation. All rights reserved. Faronics, Deep Freeze, Faronics Core Console, Faronics Anti-Executable,Faronics Anti-Virus, Faronics Device Filter, Faronics Data Igloo, Faronics Power Save, Faronics Insight, Faronics System Profiler, and WINSelect are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Faronics Corporation. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Contents

Preface. 5
Important Information. 6 About Faronics. 6 Product Documentation. 6 Technical Support. 7 Contact Information. 7

Introduction. 9

System Requirements. 10
Installing Data Igloo. 11
Installing Data Igloo. 12 Accessing Data Igloo. 14

Using Data Igloo. 15

Data Igloo Overview. 16 Deep Freeze Status. 17 ThawSpace. 18 User Profile Redirection. Creating a User Profile Redirection (for Existing User Profiles). Automatically Redirecting Newly Created User Profiles. Removing a User Profile Redirection. Folder Redirection. Example. Creating a new Folder Redirection. Removing a Folder Redirection.. 34 37
Registry Key Redirection. Example. Creating a Registry Key Redirection. Removing a Registry Key Redirection.
Closing Data Igloo. 38 Logging Events in Data Igloo. 39 Data Igloo Error Dialog. 39 Data Igloo Log File. 39
Uninstalling Data Igloo. 41
Uninstalling Data Igloo with the Installer. 42 Uninstalling Data Igloo via Add or Remove Programs in Windows. 44
Appendix A Redirecting to Hidden ThawSpaces. 45
Redirecting to Hidden ThawSpaces. 46

| Contents

Preface
This user guide explains how to install and use Data Igloo.

Topics

Important Information Technical Support

| Preface

Important Information
This section contains important information about your Faronics Product.

About Faronics

Faronics delivers market-leading solutions that help manage, simplify, and secure complex IT environments. Our products ensure 100% machine availability, and have dramatically impacted the day-to-day lives of thousands of information technology professionals. Fueled by a market-centric focus, Faronics technology innovations benefit educational institutions, health care facilities, libraries, government organizations, and corporations.

Product Documentation

The following documents form the Data Igloo documentation set: Data Igloo User Guide This document guides you how to use the product. Data Igloo Release Notes This document lists the new features, known issues, and closed issues.

Technical Support

Every effort has been made to design this software for ease of use and to be problem free. If problems are encountered, contact Technical Support. Email: support@faronics.com Phone: 1-800-943-6422 or 1-604-637-3333 Hours: 7:00am to 5:00pm (Pacific Time)

Contact Information

Web: www.faronics.com Email: sales@faronics.com Phone: 1-800-943-6422 or 1-604-637-3333 Fax: 1-800-943-6488 or 1-604-637-8188 Hours: 7:00am to 5:00pm (Pacific Time) Address: Faronics Technologies USA Inc. 2411 Old Crow Canyon Road, Suite 170 San Ramon, CA 94583 USA Faronics Corporation 609 Granville Street, Suite 620 Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5 Canada Faronics Corporation (Europe) Siena Court The Broadway Maidenhead Berkshire, SL6 1NJ UK

Introduction

Data Igloo was created to work with Deep Freeze. Deep Freeze protects a computer and restores it to the original state on reboot. Data Igloo is a utility that allows you to redirect User Profiles, Folders, and Registry Keys to a different location on your computer and retain data even after a reboot when the computer is protected by Deep Freeze. Data Igloo can also be used independently without installing Deep Freeze.

System Requirements

| Introduction
The system requirements for Data Igloo are: Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) Microsoft.NET 2.0 (SP1) or higher Deep Freeze Enterprise or Deep Freeze Standard (6.3 or higher). This is applicable only if you are using Deep Freeze with Data Igloo. Data Igloo can be used independently without installing Deep Freeze.

Installing Data Igloo

This chapter describes how to install Data Igloo.

| Installing Data Igloo

To install Data Igloo, complete the following steps: If.NET is not installed on your computer, the installer will automatically download it from the Internet and install it. Ensure that your computer is connected to the Internet. 1. Double-click FaronicsDataIglooStandard.exe. Click Next.

2. Read and accept the License Agreement. Click Next.
3. Enter the User Name and Organization. Click Next.
4. The default location for Data Igloo is C:\Program Files\Faronics\Data Igloo Standard. Click Change. to change the location where Data Igloo is installed. Click Next.
5. Click Install to install Data Igloo.
6. Click Finish to complete installation.
While it is possible to install Data Igloo when Deep Freeze status is Frozen, redirections created will not remain after a reboot. This is useful for testing redirections. It is not possible to uninstall or repair Data Igloo when Deep Freeze status is Frozen.

Accessing Data Igloo

Data Igloo can be accessed via Start>Programs>Faronics>Data Igloo.

Using Data Igloo

This chapter explains how to use Data Igloo.
Data Igloo Overview Deep Freeze Status User Profile Redirection Folder Redirection Registry Key Redirection Closing Data Igloo Logging Events in Data Igloo

| Using Data Igloo

Data Igloo Overview
The following screen is displayed when Data Igloo is launched:
Deep Freeze Status Icon The status of Deep Freeze is displayed. Tabs Data Igloo provides the User Profile Redirection, Folder Redirection and Registry Key Redirection tabs. All tabs are explained in detail further in the user guide. Help Launches the Online Help. Check for Updates Checks if there is a new version of Data Igloo available. About Displays information about the Data Igloo version and the End User License Agreement. Status Bar The status bar at the bottom of the Data Igloo screen displays the following information: User Name The User Name of the user account currently logged in. Operating System The Operating System and service pack (if applicable). Only users with administrative rights are allowed to use Data Igloo.

Deep Freeze Status

Deep Freeze protects a computer and restores it to the original state on reboot. Once Deep Freeze is installed on a computer, any changes made to the computerregardless of whether they are accidental or maliciousare never permanent. For more information on Deep Freeze visit http://www.faronics.com/deepfreeze The following Deep Freeze status are displayed on Data Igloo:

Definition Deep Freeze Status is Frozen Changes made to the computer will be lost when the computer is restarted.
Deep Freeze Status is Thawed Changes made to the computer will be retained even after the computer is restarted.
Deep Freeze not installed Deep Freeze is not installed on this computer.
Deep Freeze Seed installed Deep Freeze seed is installed on this computer.
Deep Freeze is Thawed and Locked Deep Freeze is Thawed and the keyboard and mouse are disabled.
Deep Freeze is in Maintenance Deep Freeze maintenance is in progress.

ThawSpace

ThawSpace is a feature of DeepFreeze Enterprise. ThawSpace is a virtual partition that can be used to store programs, save files, or make permanent changes. All files stored in the ThawSpace are retained after a restart, even if the computer is Frozen. A ThawSpace must be created in Deep Freeze Enterprise before saving data. Alternatively, you can also save data on Thawed Drives if you are using Deep Freeze Standard. Data Igloo allows you to redirect the User Profile and specific Folders to a ThawSpace. Deep Freeze allows you to create Hidden ThawSpaces. For more information on the process to Hide or Display a ThawSpace refer to Appendix A, Redirecting to Hidden ThawSpaces.

User Profile Redirection

The User Profile Redirection feature redirects the entire user profile to any NTFS volume or partition on the computer. This is useful if Deep Freeze is installed, in order to retain new or modified user data like Internet Favorites, My Documents and Desktop information even after reboot. It is not possible to redirect the profile of the user currently logged in.
Both the source and target drives must be NTFS partitions.
If an error occurs during the redirection process, Data Igloo will revert to the original state without any changes to the data or settings.
The User Profile Redirection tab is displayed as follows:
Creating a User Profile Redirection (for Existing User Profiles)
Complete the following steps to redirect a user profile from the default location to another drive on your computer: 1. Ensure the Deep Freeze status is Thawed. 2. Select the user from the Users pane. 3. This step is optional. Select the Redirect any newly created user profiles to: check box to redirect newly created user profiles to a ThawSpace. Browse to select the location of the ThawSpace. If a new user profile is created, it will automatically be redirected to the selected location.
Selecting the Redirect any newly created user profiles to: check box automatically selects the Redirect registry key changes to: check box in the Registry Key Redirection tab. For more information, refer to Registry Key Redirection.
4. In the User Profile Location pane select Custom Location. Click Redirect User Profiler to select the location.
5. The Redirect User Profile dialog is displayed with the Source auto-filled. This is a read-only field and cannot be edited.

6. Click Browse to select the Target.
Select the Copy NTFS permissions (where applicable) check box to copy the permissions for NTFS. The security applied to Source folder by the NTFS file system is copied to the Target folder. The security and share permissions are also applied to the files and folders within the Target folder. Select the Copy Share permissions (where applicable) check box to copy the Share permissions for the user profile folder.
7. Select the Target in the Browse for folder dialog and click OK. 8. Data Igloo scans the files and if errors occur, it is displayed in the Error Dialog. For more information about the Error Dialog refer to Data Igloo Error Dialog. If no error is displayed, aprogress bar is displayed and the User Profile is redirected to the target location.
If Deep Freeze status is Frozen, you can still redirect a User Profile. The files and folders related to the User Profile will be successfully moved even when the Deep Freeze status is Frozen. However, the User Profile Redirection will not be retained when the computer is restarted. The User Profile redirected to the target folder inherits permissions from its parent folder. In addition, the owner of the User Profile will be added to the folder with Full Control permissions.
Automatically Redirecting Newly Created User Profiles
Data Igloo provides an option to automatically redirect newly created user profiles. This feature saves time and effort for the administrator by ensuring that all newly created user profiles are redirected to the selected location automatically. Complete the following steps to automatically redirect newly created user profiles: 1. Go to User Profile Redirection tab. 2. Select the Redirect any newly created user profiles to: check box to redirect newly created user profiles to a ThawSpace.
Redirect registry key changes to: click Browse to select the location of the ThawSpace. Changes to the registry are automatically redirected to the selected location. Redirect newly created user profiles to: click Browse to select the location of the ThawSpace. If a new user profile is created, it will automatically be redirected to the selected location.

3. Click OK.

Removing a User Profile Redirection
Complete the following steps to remove a previously redirected User Profile on your computer: 1. Ensure the Deep Freeze status is Thawed. 2. Select the user profile from the Users pane for which the user profile redirection is to be removed.
3. In the User Profile Location pane select Default Location.
4. A dialog is displayed showing the current and target location for the User Profile. Click Yes.
5. A progress bar is displayed and the User Profile redirection is removed.

Folder Redirection

The Folder Redirection feature moves a folder to any NTFS volume or partition on the computer. This is useful when Deep Freeze is installed. This feature ensures that data in a folder on a Frozen drive is always saved on the Thawed drive, thereby retaining the data during a reboot. The Folder Redirection tab is displayed as follows:
Data Igloo does not allow redirecting from and to the Windows and Program Files system folders or any sub-folders within these folders.

Example

If you have installed Deep Freeze on your computer running Windows XP and if C: is Frozen, the files saved in the My Documents folder are erased on reboot. To avoid such a situation, you can redirect the My Documents folder to a Thawed partition using Data Igloo.
Perform the following steps: 1. Reboot the computer in a Thawed state. 2. Redirect C:\Documents and Settings\<User Name>\My Documents to the ThawSpace T:. 3. Reboot the computer in a Frozen state.
Creating a new Folder Redirection
Complete the following steps to redirect a folder to another location on your computer: 1. Ensure the Deep Freeze status is Thawed. 2. Go to Folder Redirection tab. Click Redirect Folder.
3. In the Create Folder Redirection dialog, click Browse to select the source folder.
Select the Copy NTFS permissions (where applicable) check box to copy the permissions for NTFS. The security applied to Source folder by the NTFS file system is copied to the Target folder. The security and share permissions are also applied to the files and folders within the Target folder. Select the Copy Share permissions (where applicable) check box to copy the share permissions for the folder. The compression and encryption attributes of the folders and the files within the folders are not copied.
4. Select the source folder and click OK.
5. In the Create Folder Redirection dialog, click Browse to select the target folder.
6. Select the target folder and click OK.
7. Click Redirect Folder.
8. A progress bar is displayed and the folder is redirected.
The folder redirected to the target drive will inherit the permissions from its parent folder.

Removing a Folder Redirection
Complete the following steps to remove a previously redirected folder on your computer: 1. Ensure that Deep Freeze is Thawed. 2. Go to Folder Redirection tab. 3. The list of folders currently redirected is displayed. Select the Folder Redirection to be removed and click Remove.
4. A configuration dialog is displayed displaying the current and target location of the folder. Click Yes to continue.
5. The folder redirection is removed.

Registry Key Redirection

The Registry Key Redirection tab allows you to redirect changes occurring in selected registry keys to a ThawSpace. This ensures that the changes to the registry key are retained even when the Deep Freeze status is Frozen. When Deep Freeze status is Thawed, the changes to the registry keys saved on the ThawSpace are automatically restored to the registry. The Registry Key Redirection tab is displayed as follows:
Only the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry keys can be redirected using Data Igloo.
Creating a Registry Key Redirection
Complete the following steps to create a Registry Key Redirection: 1. Ensure the Deep Freeze status is Thawed. 2. Go to Registry Key Redirection tab. Select Redirect registry key changes to: check box.
3. Click Browse to select a location on a Thawed drive.
4. Click Select Key from registry.
5. In the Browse For Registry Key dialog, select the registry key and click Redirect.
6. The registry key is redirected to the Thawed drive.
7. Reboot the computer Frozen.
Changes made to the configuration are applied only when the computer restarted. Registry key redirection takes effect only when the computer is rebooted Frozen.
Select the specific registry key to be redirected. Selecting the parent registry key removes the child registry key from the list.
Deep Freeze status must be Thawed to change the settings in the Registry Key Redirection tab. Registry key redirection can also be enabled when the Deep Freeze status is Frozen. However, registry key redirection will not take effect when the computer is rebooted. The registry keys that are grayed out cannot be redirected.
Some Registry Keys might automatically appear in the Registry Key Redirection tab. These Registry Keys are used by Data Igloo and cannot be removed manually.
Removing a Registry Key Redirection
Complete the following steps to remove Thawed registry keys: 1. Ensure that Deep Freeze is Thawed. 2. Go to Registry Key Redirection tab. 3. Select the registry key from the list and click Remove from list.

Closing Data Igloo

Click Close icon on the title bar to close Data Igloo. Alternatively, click the Close button.
Logging Events in Data Igloo
Data Igloo provides two ways to log and view the events. The Data Igloo error dialog and the Log File. The Log File logs events for actions performed by Data Igloo.

Data Igloo Error Dialog

The Data Igloo error dialog is displayed whenever there is an exception. The dialog displays the following options: Click View Log File to view the log file. Click Copy to clipboard to copy the contents displayed in the error dialog to the clipboard. The contents can then be pasted in a word processor or E-mail. Click Rescan to scan the action again and refresh the error dialog. Click Cancel to cancel the dialog.

Data Igloo Log File

To view the events logged in the log file, complete the following steps: 1. Go to C:\Program Files\Faronics\Data Igloo Standard. 2. Double-click Data Igloo.txt. 3. The events are displayed in the log file.

Uninstalling Data Igloo

This chapter describes how to uninstall Data Igloo.
Uninstalling Data Igloo with the Installer Uninstalling Data Igloo via Add or Remove Programs in Windows
| Uninstalling Data Igloo
Uninstalling Data Igloo with the Installer
Complete the following steps to uninstall Data Igloo: 1. Double-click FaronicsDataIglooStandard.exe. Click Next.
2. Select Remove. Click Next.

3. Click Remove.

4. Data Igloo is removed from your computer. Click Finish to complete uninstallation.
Uninstalling Data Igloo via Add or Remove Programs in Windows
Complete the following steps to uninstall Data Igloo via Add or Remove Programs in Windows: 1. Click Start>Control Panel>Add or Remove Programs. 2. Select Data Igloo. 3. Click Remove.

Appendix A

Redirecting to Hidden ThawSpaces
Deep Freeze allows you to create Hidden ThawSpaces. This appendix explains the process to hide or display the ThawSpace.
|Appendix A Redirecting to Hidden ThawSpaces
ThawSpace is a virtual partition that can be used to store programs, save files, or make permanent changes. All files stored in the ThawSpace are retained after a restart, even if the computer is Frozen. Deep Freeze allows you to create Hidden ThawSpaces. Hidden ThawSpaces are not visible in Windows Explorer. However, Hidden ThawSpaces can be accessed via Start>Run>[Drive Letter]. To redirect folders that are Hidden ThawSpaces, complete the following steps before creating a Folder Redirection via Data Igloo: 1. Open Deep Freeze Enterprise on the workstation. 2. Go to ThawSpace tab. 3. Select the Visible check box for the Drive Letter that is not currently visible in Windows Explorer. 4. Click OK. 5. Log off from the computer and log on. Now, you can perform a Folder Redirection in Data Igloo. After Folder Redirection, you can again set the ThawSpace as Hidden. Complete the following steps to set the ThawSpace as Hidden. 1. Open Deep Freeze Enterprise on the workstation. 2. Go to ThawSpace tab. 3. Clear the Visible check box for the Drive Letter that is not currently visible in Windows Explorer. 4. Click OK. 5. Log off from the computer and log on.

Deep Freeze - Retaining User Data

TECHNICAL WHITEPAPER

Last modified: May 19, 2010
Faronics Toll Free Tel: 800-943-6422 Toll Free Fax: 800-943-6488 International Tel: +1 604-637-3333 International Fax: +1 604-637-8188

www.faronics.com

1999-2010 Faronics Corporation. All rights reserved. Deep Freeze, Anti-Executable, and WINSelect are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Faronics Corporation. All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Contents

Overview.....3 The Frozen Environment....3 Storage Solutions....3 Network Drive..... 3. Thawed Partitions..... 3 ThawSpace...... 3 Redirecting User Profiles and Folders using Data Igloo...4 Mapping Data for Specific Applications...5 Applications Saving Data to Internal Folders... 5 Applications Saving Data to My Documents.... 5 Redirecting Folders with Data Igloo.... 6 Microsoft Office Auto Recovery Locations.... 7

Overview

Many desktop administrators face challenges with maintaining the configuration of their workstations in a production environment. From users making unauthorized changes on the workstations to viruses and malware, there are a large number of exploits that can leave workstations in a non-functional state. Many system administrators are turning to the use of reboot to restore applications to maintain their workstations and are finding during their testing process that the retention of user data on the local workstation is a stumbling block in the deployment of such products. This document will outline the suggested means to implement a reboot to restore application like Faronics Deep Freeze in such a way that user data is properly retained.

The Frozen Environment

Deep Freeze is a solution that ensures client workstations remain in a consistent state after every reboot. Deep Freeze has two states: Frozen and Thawed. In a Thawed state, any changes made to a computer are retained after a reboot. In a Frozen state, any changes can be made during a user session, but after a reboot, these changes will disappear. With Deep Freeze installed, it is very easy to set up a computer on which no changes are saved. However, there are some cases where data needs to be saved locally; perhaps the user needs to be able to save email locally, or maybe an application requires data to be stored locally. With the information in this document, a computer can be configured to allow certain changes to be retained after a reboot, even when the computer is in a Frozen state.

Storage Solutions

The following solutions describe different methods available to configure a Thawed area (any information saved into a Thawed area is retained after a reboot). Network Drive Deep Freeze does not put network drives into a Frozen state. By offering the user a place to save data off the local computer, nothing special needs to be configured on the client computers themselves. However, there are cases where this option is not viable. Sometimes, the computer is not connected to the network, or an application saves user data locally. In these cases, this solution is not appropriate. Thawed Partitions A Thawed partition is a physical partition configured not to be Frozen. Using this solution, it is assumed the computer has at least two physical partitions. In Deep Freeze Standard, the option to select which physical partitions are to be Frozen appears during the install. In Deep Freeze Enterprise, this option is configured before creating the workstation install file (in the Configuration Administrator go to Drives tab). Make sure Deep Freeze is not installed prior to adding, deleting or modifying partitions. ThawSpace In some cases, the client computer does not already have a separate physical partition configured. In this case, the Deep Freeze workstation install file can be configured to use a ThawSpace. ThawSpace is not available in Deep Freeze Standard; it is only available in Deep Freeze Enterprise. When configuring a ThawSpace using the Configuration Administrator, select the drive letter (default is T:), the size, and the file system to be used. A ThawSpace is a virtual partition. When the workstation is installed, another drive letter appears in Windows Explorer (if the Visibility has been set as Visible in Drives tab of the Configuration Administrator). Any data saved to this virtual partition is retained when the computer is rebooted. For more information about creating and configuring a ThawSpace, refer to the Deep Freeze Enterprise user guide.

Redirecting User Profiles and Folders using Data Igloo
Faronics Data Igloo allows administrators to redirect user profiles and folders to a Thawed volume on your computer. Redirecting data in this manner ensures that the data being redirected is retained even after a reboot when the computer is protected by Deep Freeze. Faronics Data Igloo can be downloaded from http://www.faronics.com/dataigloo.
Redirecting User Profiles with Data Igloo
The redirection of user data normally involves the redirection of the users entire profile to a Thawed volume. When dealing with user profiles, there are two types of users that will need to be addressed: users who have previously logged into the computer and have an existing profile, and users who have never logged into the system and have no profile to redirect. Any user who has logged into the computer and has an existing profile, will be shown by Data Igloo as a user on the User Profile Redirection tab.
Complete the following steps to redirect an existing user profile using Data Igloo: 1. Select the user profile to be redirected. 2. Click Custom Location and specify the path. Generally, this is a Thawed volume on your computer. For example, T:\Users. 3. Click OK. The selected user profile is directed to the Thawed volume. Redirecting a users entire profile to a Thawed volume will address the data retention requirements for
most environments where a single, or small number of users use a specific computer. In situations where systems are used by a large number of users or in one-to-one laptop deployments, a different approach is required. For situations where the administrator does not know which user will be logging into the computer, Data Igloo has the ability to redirect all new user profiles to a Thawed location when a new user logs in. This approach is ideal for one-to-one laptop deployments or situations where computers are loaned to users for extended periods of time. To redirect all new users who log into the system while Frozen: 1. Select the Redirect any newly created user profiles to check box in the User Profile Redirection tab. 2. Enter the path that the user profiles will be saved to. Generally, this is a Thawed volume on your computer. For example, T:\Users. 3. When prompted, select a location to store any of the user specific registry keys. This should be a Thawed volume on your computer, outside of the folder that contains the user profiles. For example , T:\Registry. 4. Once completed, any new users logging into the computer while Frozen, will have their user profile and registry settings redirected to the Thawed location specified in the previous steps.

Roaming Profiles

Roaming profiles can be redirected using the same procedure described above. As far as Data Igloo is concerned, users with roaming profiles are treated in the same manner as users without roaming profiles.
Mapping Data for Specific Applications
This section of the document provides guidelines for performing data mapping at an application level as opposed to retaining data based on the user context. This method of retaining user data is best approached when the user data to be retained is specific to individual applications and no other data needs to be retained on the local computer. Applications Saving Data to Internal Folders Some applications save their user data into specific folders on the hard disk and cannot be configured to save user data in any location other than the one specified by the application developers. To work around this limitation, the application data can be mapped either by installing the whole application on a Thawed volume, or by determining the location of the data to be saved, and moving that data with Data Igloo. Applications Saving Data to My Documents Some applications retain their data in a folder under the users My Documents folder. If this is the case, the information can be mapped by moving the entire user profile to a Thawed volume. If the user profile or My Documents is not being mapped to a Thawed partition or stored on the network, Data Igloo can be used to move data to a Thawed volume.
Redirecting Folders with Data Igloo The Folder Redirection feature of Data Igloo allows you to redirect a folder to any NTFS volume or partition on the computer.
Complete the following steps to redirect a folder from one drive to another: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Ensure the Deep Freeze status is Thawed. Launch Faronics Data Igloo from Start>Programs>Faronics>Data Igloo Standard>Data Igloo. Go to Folder Redirection tab. Click Redirect Folder. In the Create Folder Redirection dialog, click Browse to select the source folder. Select the source folder and click OK. In the Create Folder Redirection dialog, click Browse to select the target folder. Select the target folder and click OK. Click Redirect Folder. A progress bar is displayed and the folder is redirected.
Application Updates If an application needs to be updated, most likely changes are made to the registry. Because the registry is contained on the Frozen partition, these changes are lost when the computer reboots. It is best to perform updates while the computer is in a Thawed state or during a Maintenance period. A Maintenance period can be scheduled in the Deep Freeze Enterprise. For more information, refer to the Deep Freeze Enterprise user guide.

Microsoft Office Auto Recovery Locations Some Microsoft Office applications have auto recovery files, where projects being modified are automatically saved and can be recovered in case of failure. When a computer is Frozen, all documents that have been saved to this auto recovery location will be deleted. To prevent this, the auto recovery location can be modified to be redirected to a Thawed location on the computer. To change the file path where documents are automatically saved in Microsoft Office applications, a series of registry settings must be configured.

Microsoft Word 2003

Registry Path: Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options Key Name: AUTOSAVE-PATH Default Value: <user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Word

The Default

must be changed to the path of the Thawed location on the computer.

Microsoft Excel 2003

Registry Path: Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Excel\Options Key Name: AutoRecoverPath Default Value: %USERPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel
These registry settings can either be set manually for each user through the import of registry settings or through the configuration of a Group Policy using the Office Administrative Templates available on Microsofts website.