Windows Offline Files

The Offline Files feature of Windows may be useful for portable computers, but is less useful for desktop workstation PCs. Why Microsoft enables it by default is beyond me.

Among other problems and annoyances, the Offline Files feature can cause problems where files (such as faxes or scans) don't appear in their designated shared folder in a timely fashion.

http://titlerequired.com/2012/03/22/sbs-2011-essentials-win-7-pro-pack-disable-offline-files/

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc749449%28WS.10%29.aspx (see also first comment)

http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/128865-how-to-disable-sync-center-offline-files?page=2

1. Create an “Offline Files” GPO
2. Apply the policy to
   • Users
   • Groups
   • OU
3. Wait at least 90 minutes (overnight) for the GPO to propagate
   • Or force an update
     • gpupdate /force
4. Reboot the PC
5. Test
   • gpresult

• Disable Offline Files service (via GPO – disables ‘cscservice’)

Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\System Services

• Disable ‘Allow or Disallow use of the Offline Files feature’ setting (via GPO setting)

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network\Offline Files

• Enable Remove 'Make Available Offline' setting (optional)

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network\Offline Files

• Disable CSC Kernel driver (via registry hack or custom ADM – disables ‘csc’)

reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\CSC /v Start /t REG_DWORD /d 4