How to Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows


Offline Files is a feature of Sync Center that makes network files available to a user, even if the network connection to the server is unavailable.

Users can use offline files (if enabled) to make their network files always available offline to keep a copy of the files stored on the network on your computer. This allows users to work with them even when they are not connected to the network or a server is unavailable. The next time the user connects to the network or the server is available, their offline files on your computer will automatically sync to the network files on the server to update.

See also:

This tutorial will show you how to set or unset network files as always available offline for your account in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

In Windows 7, the offline files feature is only available in the Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.

In Windows 8, the offline files feature is only available in the Pro and Enterprise editions.

In Windows 10, the offline files feature is only available in the Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.



Contents

  • Option One: Make Network Files Always Available Offline
  • Option Two: Make Network Files Not Always Available Offline Anymore






OPTION ONE

Make Network Files Always Available Offline


1 While connected to the network, open File Explorer (Win+E), and browse to the network location of the network file or folder you want to make always available offline.

2 Right click or press and hold on the network file or folder you want to make always available offline, and click/tap on Always available offline to check it. (see screenshot below)

Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows-set_network_files_always_available_offline-1.png

3 You will now briefly see a Completed preparing files so they are always available offline dialog before it automatically closes. (see screenshot below)

Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows-set_network_files_always_available_offline-2.png

4 The network file or folder will now have a sync overlay on its icon to indicate it is always available offline. (see screenshots below)

Sometimes you may need to refresh (F5) the File Explorer window to see the sync overlay on the icon.

Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows-set_network_files_always_available_offline-3.jpg Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows-set_network_files_always_available_offline-4.jpg
Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows-set_network_files_always_available_offline-5.jpg






OPTION TWO

Make Network Files Not Always Available Offline Anymore


1 While connected to the network, open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Sync Center icon.

2 Click/tap on the Manage offline files link on the left side of Sync Center. (see screenshot below)

Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows-unset_network_files_always_available_offline-1.jpg

3 Click/tap on the View your offline files button. (see screenshot below)

Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows-unset_network_files_always_available_offline-2.png

4 In your Offline Files Folder, browse to the network file or folder you want to make not always available offline. Right click or press and hold on the network file or folder, and click/tap on Always available offline to uncheck it. (see screenshots below)

Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows-unset_network_files_always_available_offline-3.jpg Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows-unset_network_files_always_available_offline-4.jpg

5 You will now briefly see a Completed changing files so they are not always available offline dialog before it automatically closes. (see screenshot below)

Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows-unset_network_files_always_available_offline-5.png

6 The network file or folder will now no longer have a sync overlay on its icon to indicate it is no longer always available offline. (see screenshot below)

Sometimes you may need to refresh (F5) the File Explorer window to see the change.

Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows-unset_network_files_always_available_offline-6.jpg


That's it,
Shawn


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