I direct profiles and home folders to separate places, thus the only thing in a users home folder is the \windows folder and any personal documents they place there. With this being the case, is it necessary for the user to be the owner of their folder? I have it both ways and I have not had any problems. FYI, I will never redirect app data, desktop, or start menu into the home folder. I do have the profiles folders setup where the user is the owner, as everything I read said this is necessary.