Disable Offline files in GPO

[zag]

Ok I've spent a few hours on this and still cant get it working.

Is there a simple way to disable offline files from synchronizing each time a user logs off.

I've tried all the options in offline files group policy but the sync box still shows up every time the user logs off.

Any ideas? I just want to untick "enable offline files" using a group policy or script.

[Friez]

Ok I've spent a few hours on this and still cant get it working.

Is there a simple way to disable offline files from synchronizing each time a user logs off.

I've tried all the options in offline files group policy but the sync box still shows up every time the user logs off.

Any ideas? I just want to untick "enable offline files" using a group policy or script.

User Configuration
Administrative Templates
Network/Offline Files
Do not automatically make redirected folders available offline
Prevent use of Offline Files folder
Prohibit user configuration of Offline Files
Remove 'Make Available Offline'

Worst case scenario: Disable offline files for a generic profile, then use that to overwrite default profile.

[TheLibrarian]

We always had a problem with offline files, the group policies never seemed to fix it.

Now it's set in local policy while creating the master image.

[Friez]

Hahahahahahaha

[zag]

User Configuration
Administrative Templates
Network/Offline Files
Do not automatically make redirected folders available offline
Prevent use of Offline Files folder
Prohibit user configuration of Offline Files
Remove 'Make Available Offline'

Worst case scenario: Disable offline files for a generic profile, then use that to overwrite default profile.

Hmm just tried that but the sync box still shows up when I log off.

I wonder if it has something to do with the desktop icons and start menu that are on a network share?

[TheLibrarian]

I religiously turn caching off on any shares I create.

[maniac]

I've found you also have to re-initialise the offline file cache after disabling it if there are already items available offline. If you disable it via GPO then it still syncs the files already available offline before the policy change. If you change the policy, re-initialise the offline file cache then re-boot the laptop straight away it will disable offline files - bit of a pain I know, but it works.

There is a registry hack somewhere you can use to remotely re-initialise the offline files cache, although I haven't got it to hand. To re-initialise the offline file cache manually however, goto folder options in control panel, offline files tab and hold down CTRL and Shift while clicking the button that says delete files. It should ask you if you want to re-initialise it, click yes and then re-boot the laptop.

Mike.

[zag]

I religiously turn caching off on any shares I create.

Thanks, turning off caching of the share seems to fix the issue but its a bit of a pain to do for every user share.

At least I have now disabled caching of the start menu and desktop.

[TheLibrarian]

You could look at recreating the user shares, shouldn't take long with a script.

[Friez]

Hmm just tried that but the sync box still shows up when I log off.

I wonder if it has something to do with the desktop icons and start menu that are on a network share?

Tried gpupdate /force to make sure the policy is DEFINITELY in place?

Like I said, if all else fails, build it into the default profile (so by default, accounts will not have offline files enabled). When a new profile gets built from the default profile you won't have offline files. Build with care though!

I can't see recreating shares helping you much personally... At least, we've never had to do anything of the sort to disable offline files in the past.

[TheLibrarian]

Isn't the Offline Files directory the CSC directory under Windows?

Maybe you could force remove that from all workstations.