Disable offline access for google drive file stream

[Sheridan]

We're in the process of migrating local data to GSuite. As part of this we're using Drive File Stream which is working well, its giving users the chance to copy files across and get more used to the cloud 'mentality'

 

However one thing I would like to do is disable the ability to make files available offline on the File Stream application, as it defeats the purpose and also will increase the chances of files being lost, or local drives filling up (small SSDs!)

 

I can't see any way of doing this, and the G Suite options are basically File Stream 'on' or 'off'

 

The only way I can possibly see is direct the local synch folder to an invalid path, but that seems a bit obscure?

[Chaniel]

https://support.google.com/a/answer/7644837?hl=en

 

Drive File Stream tries to download everything to local to minimise the amount of calls to their servers, makes sense but can be frustrating!

 

You still need the local content cache path as this is where file stream keeps the files before they're uploaded, but you can specify the ContentCacheMaxKBytes registry key to minimise the space used. We push that out via GPO, although we did find it didn't retroactively clear the cache.

[Sheridan]

Thanks, it makes sense. I'm just wary that someone will make something available offline, and then logoff before it can synch and then complain they've lost the file!