Windows Server 2012 - disable offline files via GPO

[NachT]

Hi guys,

I'm playing about with Server 2012 + Windows 7 clients. I've setup DFS, so users logging in have their 'home directory' (Documents) re-directed to a DFS root area, and depending on their permissions, they then have further access to other DFS links within their 'Documents' folder (pretty standard in business places). However, it seems 'Offline Files' is enabled by default on the 'Documents' folder, which is making an offline copy of all the DFS 'shortcuts' they have access to.

This is causing two problems.
1) If they have access to a folder which contains GB's of files, these are synced to the local machine.

2) If they loose permissions to a certain DFS share, they can still see the folder for it within the 'Documents' folder, because it's been synced to the local machine.

I know you can disable 'offline files/sync center' via GPO, however this seems to completely disable the feature all together. Isn't there a way to disable it by default, so it's not switched on, and then let users specify what they want available offline by right-clicking on the files themselves?

Basically just wanting it turn this feature off by default, but leave the option there in case it's required.

Cheers guys =]

 

[Caged]

Windows will always cache profile folders that have been redirected to a network location, because it murders performance otherwise. If you feel your local network is good enough that you don't want to cache the Documents folder by default then see this GPO:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/jj154097.aspx

This lets you pick which folders aren't available offline, but removes the ability for users to pick and choose folders within that structure to cache.

 

[NachT]

That's awesome mate, looks like it's the one I need!

I don't mind the profile being cached, as you've mentioned it's pretty much needed. Just the 'Documents' folder contained a few DFS location which were also being cached.

 

[Caged]

Just realised that's for Windows 8 clients. In Windows 7 you want to choose the "Do not automatically make all redirected folders available offline" GPO and then add back in the profile folders that aren't 'My Documents'.