I redirect my "Documents" folder to Box drive, but the setting is lost after a reboot.

Question

I redirect my "Documents" folder to Box drive, but the setting is lost after a reboot.

Brian K 20

I can redirect the my Documents folder to point to my box drive by Right-Clicking on Documents->properties->location tab, and then changing the path to my box drive. However, after a reboot it seems to be set to a temporary folder.

I used to have "Box Sync", and this method would work fine, and the setting would not be lost after a reboot. However Box Sync is reaching the EOL, and soon cannot be used.

I have Windows 11 Pro on my home PC, so I do not think I can use the "group policies" method.

Any idea how to solve this problem?

Thank you.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Bulldog 4,640

The default Documents folder needs to be on an internal drive. You can backup to Box.

Brian K 20 Reputation points

2026-07-28T14:51:20.57+00:00

thanks
Brian K 20 Reputation points

2026-07-28T15:00:03.5233333+00:00

Thank you for the taking a look. This is the same conclusion that I arrived at. It seems to me that this is something Microsoft should be able to fix with a patch or update (if they wanted to fix it). I have the Box folder marked as available offline, so it should be available locally somewhere. I am not sure if the path is available at boot time.
Bulldog 4,640 Reputation points

2026-07-28T15:04:30.29+00:00

It has to be an internal drive because an internal drive is always connected to the computer, whereas Box can lose its connection, and then there is no default location for Documents.
Brian K 20 Reputation points

2026-09-15T02:44:33.0266667+00:00

I think this is the easiest solution, thanks. I put all my documents in the default location: "%USERPROFILE%\Documents"

I have an additional 3rd party tool to sync my documents to "Box Drive". I used "SyncFolder", which is free from the Microsoft app store. You can set it up to sync as often as you like.
Bulldog 4,640 Reputation points

2026-09-15T06:37:20.62+00:00

That sounds like a good idea!

1 additional answer

Your answer

Brian K 20 Reputation points

2026-07-28T14:51:20.57+00:00

thanks
Brian K 20 Reputation points

2026-07-28T15:00:03.5233333+00:00

Thank you for the taking a look. This is the same conclusion that I arrived at. It seems to me that this is something Microsoft should be able to fix with a patch or update (if they wanted to fix it). I have the Box folder marked as available offline, so it should be available locally somewhere. I am not sure if the path is available at boot time.
Bulldog 4,640 Reputation points

2026-07-28T15:04:30.29+00:00

It has to be an internal drive because an internal drive is always connected to the computer, whereas Box can lose its connection, and then there is no default location for Documents.
Brian K 20 Reputation points

2026-09-15T02:44:33.0266667+00:00

I think this is the easiest solution, thanks. I put all my documents in the default location: "%USERPROFILE%\Documents"

I have an additional 3rd party tool to sync my documents to "Box Drive". I used "SyncFolder", which is free from the Microsoft app store. You can set it up to sync as often as you like.
Bulldog 4,640 Reputation points

2026-09-15T06:37:20.62+00:00

That sounds like a good idea!

Answer 1

Hello Brian K,

Box Drive is a third-party product, so its supported configuration is determined by Box.

Box documents that redirecting the Documents folder requires Box Drive 2.50 or later, its newer architecture, and Known Folder Redirection configured through an administrative method such as Local Group Policy. Manually changing Documents > Properties > Location, or marking the Box folder as available offline, does not configure this feature.

Since Windows 11 Pro includes Local Group Policy, you can follow Box’s Known Folder Redirection guide. If your Box setup does not meet those requirements, Box Support would be the appropriate contact.

(Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate and safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.)

Brian K 20 Reputation points

2026-09-15T02:53:33.4366667+00:00

Thank you for the thorough answer. You gave the steps suggested by box, but IMO the solution is too complex. Box should provide something easier.