Offline Files and Folders

[danrhodes]

Hi All,

I am having a few issues with Offline Files and Folders on Windows XP SP3. The problem being that when users are working offline they cannot rename or delete folders from their home drive, instead they get the error message "This operation is only supported when connected to the server."

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

[BJG]

Are you saying they can't delete files in a network folder when they're offline...?

I thought that was kind of the point of offline files and folders...that you're working only with files on the local machine. But I've never used them, so perhaps I misunderstand. (We disable that option.) If they need to access network files, why are they working offline...?

[ianniow]

I know what you mean. We have th same problem here. Our teahers documents are available offline, bit if they want to have a sort out of their my docs at home they cannot delete folders or move them,

[danrhodes]

I know what you mean. We have th same problem here. Our teahers documents are available offline, bit if they want to have a sort out of their my docs at home they cannot delete folders or move them,

Yep this is the same issue, its very annoying and Im not sure if there is work around. I've managed to find one for Vista but nothing for XP.

[BJG]

Does this problem crop up when they're deleting files from the local machine they're on, or from a server folder they're accessing via some kind of remote access system...? And what's the Vista workaround...?

[psydii]

In Windows XP you cannot rename or delete or move folders that are offline.

as an aside, in Vista/7 almost everything we knew about offline files changes, as the functionality is required for Libraries, searching and performance.

[edutech4schools]

I do not agree with the above posts. I have just logged into my xp test pc that has offline files and both moved and deleted files. I also just vpn back into the school and synced and as expected the files moved and deleted on the online ones also.

Can't say why it works for me and not you but I have 4 schools using offline files like this.

[psydii]

Can you move/delete folders as well?

[edutech4schools]

Yes move and delete EDIT: folders or files.

Our setup
2003 server
kix script mapping drives
GPO to make sure offline files is enabled on laptops only

[danrhodes]

I can move, delete and edit files without issue. The problem relates to moving, deleting, renaming folders that are offline. However this does not apply to folders that were created whilst offline, these can be moved, deleted and renamed without issue. The laptop is not connected via a VPN or to any other wireless or copper network.

Personally I think this is by design.

Cheers

[edutech4schools]

Almost 100% sure it works for folders also. I am off sick today but if better tomorrow I'll do a proper test for you while in the school without the network cable in using a teachers laptop and not my test setup.

[danrhodes]

Hi EduTech, I've tried it on 4 different machines now in 3 different locations and they all get the same error message. If you try it and you don't get the message I will be very surprised.

Cheers

[PRicho]

AFAIK you cannot delete folders while offline in XP..

What operations can I do in offline mode?

Add/Delete/Modify files
Add Directories

All file operations that can be done while in online mode can also be done in offline mode, the only exception being deleting a folder.

Offline Files in Windows XP | Offline Files and Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 Tips

[danrhodes]

AFAIK you cannot delete folders while offline in XP..


Offline Files in Windows XP | Offline Files and Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 Tips

I suppose this goes for re-naming folders also?