How to Encrypt or Unencrypt Offline Files Cache 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.
Users can encrypt the contents of their Offline Files cache on the computer to protect it from unwanted access.
See also:
- Folder Redirection, Offline Files, and Roaming User Profiles overview | Microsoft Docs
- Work Folders and Offline Files support for Windows Information Protection | Storage at Microsoft
This tutorial will show you how to encrypt or unencrypt the Offline Files cache for your account or all users 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.
If you encrypt the Offline Files cache, it would be highly recommended to back up your file encryption key. If you lose access to your encrypted Offline Files cache, you will not be able to access it again unless you are able to restore your file encryption key.
Contents
- Option One: Encrypt or Unencrypt Offline Files Cache for Current User in Sync Center
- Option Two: Encrypt or Unencrypt Offline Files Cache for Current User using a REG file
- Option Three: Encrypt or Unencrypt Offline Files Cache for All Users in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Four: Encrypt or Unencrypt Offline Files Cache for All Users using a REG file
1 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)
3 Do step 4 (encrypt) or step 5 (unecrypt) below for what you want to do.
A) Click/tap on the Encryption tab, click/tap on the Encrypt button, and click/tap on OK when it has finished encrypting. (see screenshot below)
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Encryption tab, click/tap on the Unencrypt button, and click/tap on OK when it has finished decrypting. (see screenshot below)
The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\NetCache
EncryptCache DWORD
0 = Unecrypt
1 = Encrypt
1 Do step 2 (encrypt) or step 3 (decrypt) below for what you want to do.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Encrypt_Offline_Files_cache_for_current_user.reg
Download
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Unencrypt_Offline_Files_cache_for_current_user.reg
Download
4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 Sign out and sign in to apply.
8 If you like, you can delete the downloaded .reg file.
You must be signed in as an administrator to do this option.
If enabled (encrypt) or disabled (unencrypt), this option will override Option One and Option Two.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network\Offline Files
3 In the right pane of Offline Files in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Encrypt the Offline Files cache policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (encrypt), step 6 (unecrypt), or step 7 (default) below for what you would like to do.
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
A) Select (dot) Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
8 When finished, close the Local Group Policy Editor.
9 When ready, restart the computer to apply. The Offline Files cache will be encrypted or unencrypted for each user the next time they sign in.
You must be signed in as an administrator to do this option.
If enabled (encrypt) or disabled (unencrypt), this option will override Option One and Option Two.
The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetCache
EncryptCache DWORD
(delete) = Default
0 = Unencrypt
1 = Encrypt
1 Do step 2 (encrypt), step 3 (unencrypt), or step 4 (disable) below for what you want to do.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Encrypt_Offline_Files_cache_for_all_users.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Unencrypt_Offline_Files_cache_for_all_users.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Default_user_choice_Offline_Files_cache_encryption.reg
Download
5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 When ready, restart the computer to apply. The Offline Files cache will be encrypted or unencrypted for each user the next time they sign in.
9 If you like, you can delete the downloaded .reg file.
Related Tutorials
- How to Enable or Disable Offline Files in Windows
- How to Add Sync Center Context Menu in Windows
- How to Set or Unset Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows
- How to Create Offline Files Folder Shortcut in Windows
- How to Change Offline Files Disk Usage Limits in Windows
- How to Manually Sync Offline Files in Windows
- How to Create New Offline Files Sync Schedule in Windows
- How to Delete Offline Files Sync Schedule in Windows
- How to Edit Offline Files Sync Schedule in Windows
- How to Add or Remove Offline Files tab in Network File and Folder Properties in Windows 10
- How to Add or Remove Always Available Offline Context Menu in Windows
Encrypt or Unencrypt Offline Files Cache in Windows
Encrypt or Unencrypt Offline Files Cache in Windows
How to Encrypt or Unencrypt Offline Files Cache in WindowsPublished by Shawn BrinkCategory: Network & Sharing
24 Aug 2020
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