How to write UNC paths for Group Policy Editor? (folder on NAS)

Hello! I'm trying to set just one of my folders to be in "Always Offline" mode; the folder is located via WiFi to Synology DS218+ NAS (home LAN). It is the Downloads folder and I've used "Folder Redirection" place it on the NAS.

The issue: to enable "Always Offline" for a specific folder (instead of all shares), you need the folder's UNC path. I think I have it right, but the folder remains online. This Microsoft guide makes it pretty clear, but I can't for the life of me set it to only one folder.

Since I can make all folders "Always Offline" via \* (the Microsoft example), then I presume I've screwed up the UNC path? Here are the paths that have failed (i.e., the folder remains online):

"\\Home\Files of UserA\Downloads\*" - not working
"\\Home\Files of UserA\Downloads" - not working
"\\Home\Files of UserA\Downloads" - not working
\* - working (but applies to all folders)

Have I missed something? I think I do need quotes as one folder name has a space. Right?

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The nitty gritty:

• Local Group Policy Editor -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Network -> Offline Files -> Configure slow-link mode
• I reboot between each change, as it's affecting Computer Configuration

bro67 said:

You do that in the NAS. DiskStation Manager - Knowledge Base | Synology Inc. How to do it on Windows. How to configure files using Sync Center in Windows 10 How to Enable Offline Files in Windows 10 and Sync it?

No need to write a GPO. If you do want to experiment with GPO's, see Activate Offline Files via GPO and assign the User folder to always be available Offline. | WOUTER MAKKINJE https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/pre...968298(v=ws.11) Deploy Folder Redirection with Offline Files | Microsoft Docs

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction with Synology's services. I've been struggling with Client-side Caching (CSC) / Offline Files for two months now (i.e., this was not the only issue; had to rebuild the cache at least twice now). Likewise, Microsoft reducing their support for CSC (mostly) to push users towards Work Folders (which require a separate system running Windows Server) was frustrating.

Synology's Drive application is exactly what I wanted: offline files always (i.e., so copying/unzipping uses my local system's SSD instead of the NAS's slow HDDs) with background syncs back to the NAS (and then copied to my laptop client). Plus, it syncs with Mac & Linux clients and has a web interface.

Here is the link; apparently, Synology is slowly phasing out Cloud Station Drive and encouraging users to use Drive.

Likely not the fastest method, but this seemed like the cleanest to convert a Windows SMB share using Folder Redirection (will require removing files and re-downloading them) to a Synology Drive "Team Folder":

Create a new Shared Folder in the root of the NAS. Copy all the SMB contents to that folder. On the client system, remove old profile folder's content and reset it back to its default location. Install Drive on NAS and enable "Team Folder" for that new Shared Folder. On the client system, install Drive and login with QuickConnect (double-check all permissions are good to go). Link the two folders (Team Folder with the client's target folder) and watch the folder autopopulate (with very handy sync icons).

All in all, it took 30 minutes and saved me major hassle. Thank you very much. I am finally done with the troubles of Client side Caching. Hours and hours of troubleshooting thankfully now made irrelevant.

I sincerely appreciate your help.

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EDIT: I realized I completely bungled the first post, actually. I meant to write always in "Slow-link mode" instead of "Always Offline". But, no worries: a better solution has been found!