The Always Offline mode provides the following benefits: Windows updates files in the Offline Files cache by synchronizing hourly in the background, by default.
Starting with Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, administrators can configure the experience for users of Offline Files to always work offline, even when they are connected through a high-speed network connection. Helps users avoid high data usage costs from synchronization while using metered connections that have usage limits, or while roaming on another provider's network.Įnables you to limit the use of Folder Redirection, Roaming User Profiles, or both to only a user's primary computers. Provides faster access to files and lower bandwidth usage by always working offline, even when connected through a high-speed network connection. The following table describes some of the major changes in Folder Redirection, Offline Files, and Roaming User Profiles that are available in this release. Enable mobile users to access network files while working offline or over slow networks.Optimize bandwidth usage and enhance the experience of users in branch offices who access files and folders that are hosted by corporate servers located offsite.Enable users to continue accessing network files, even if there is a network or server outage.Centralize data from client computers for administrative tasks, such as using a server-based backup tool to back up user folders and settings.Typically, a network administrator enables Roaming User Profiles on domain accounts.Īdministrators can use Folder Redirection, Offline Files, and Roaming User Profiles to centralize storage for user data and settings and to provide users with the ability to access their data while offline or in the event of a network or server outage. When the user signs out of the computer, the local copy of their profile, including any changes, is merged with the server copy of the profile. When a user signs in to a computer by using an account that is set up with a file share as the profile path, the user's profile is downloaded to the local computer and merged with the local profile (if present). Roaming User Profiles redirects user profiles to a file share so that users receive the same operating system and application settings on multiple computers.The user manually switches to Offline Mode by using the Work offline button in Windows Explorer.The network connection is slower than a configurable threshold.A computer switches to Offline Mode when: When working offline, files are retrieved from the Offline Files folder at local access speeds. When working online, file access performance is at the speed of the network and server. Offline Files makes network files available to a user, even if the network connection to the server is unavailable or slow.The files in the folder are then available to the user from any computer on the network. For example, you can redirect the Documents folder, which is usually stored on a local drive, to a network location. Users interact with files in the redirected folder as if it still existed on the local drive. The new location can be a folder on the local computer or a directory on a file share. Folder Redirection enables users and administrators to redirect the path of a known folder to a new location, manually or by using Group Policy.These features used to be referred to as Intellimirror. Roaming User Profiles is used to redirect a user profile to a network location. Technology descriptionįolder Redirection and Offline Files are used together to redirect the path of local folders (such as the Documents folder) to a network location, while caching the contents locally for increased speed and availability. This topic discusses the Folder Redirection, Offline Files (client-side caching or CSC), and Roaming User Profiles (sometimes known as RUP) technologies, including what's new and where to find additional information. Applies to: Windows Server 2022, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2