During a file server migration several problems arise. Most of them are eliminated by using DFS Namespaces. With DFS all paths are kept the same even though the file server itself is changed. Having that in mind, I really hope that everyone is using DFS for file servers.

In scenarios where UNC paths that points directly to the file server are used we have to find a way to minimize problems for the end users when the paths are changed.

It is very common that end users have shortcuts on their desktops that point to folders and documents on the server. I will give you a simple script that will replace the path for you.

This script is written in VBScript. The first two lines defines the old path, and what to replace it with.

'Define paths
strFind = "\\oldserver\share1\"
strReplace = "\\newserver\share2\"

Set objWsh = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Set objWshSysEnv = objWsh.Environment("PROCESS")
strProfilePath = objWshSysEnv("USERPROFILE")

Set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set objFolder = objFSO.GetFolder(strProfilePath & "\Desktop")

'Loop through all files on the desktop
For Each file In objFolder.Files
	if right(file.Name,3)="lnk" then
		'If a shortcut is found
		Set objLink = objWsh.CreateShortcut(file.Path)

		objLink.Arguments = Replace(objLink.Arguments,strFind,strReplace,1,-1,1)
		objLink.TargetPath = Replace(objLink.TargetPath,strFind,strReplace,1,-1,1)
		objLink.WorkingDirectory = Replace(objLink.WorkingDirectory,strFind,strReplace,1,-1,1)

		objLink.Save
	end if
Next

Run this script as a login script on your clients and you will have one problem less the day after your file server migration.

/ Andreas