In the CAMPUS domain offline files are turned on by default; the majority of users will have seen the now familiar ‘Synchronising’ dialogue message window which appears when they log off a PC.<\/p>\n
However, Offline files can cause warning and error messages being displayed to users – this has been seen by the ISS Helpdesk on a daily basis, and is becoming a problem: The two main issues appear to be the default excluded files extensions<\/a>, or insufficient disk space on the PC to allow the caching of offline files.<\/p>\n So why are offline files sometimes unnecessary? In Microsoft’s own words “Offline Files: You can use this feature on a portable computer, or on a desktop computer that occasionally connects to your workplace network<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n Approximately 90% of the machines on Campus are Desktop machines<\/strong> which will never leave the confines of their office environment. These machines will still have offline files enabled.<\/strong> There is the argument that should a server fail, offline files will allow you to continue working merrily away, without any knowledge that a problem actually exists. But in reality how often does a server issue occur? And those which do are publicised well in advanced during an ‘At-risk’ period. Given the problems that offline files can cause it’s worth considering if such machines really need offline files enabled.<\/p>\n ISS Provides a Group Policy to switch off offline files on Windows XP machines The name of this policy is: ‘2 Campus Windows XP Turn Offline Files Off.’<\/strong> And as an added benefit to your users they will see that their log off speed has dramatically increased too.<\/p>\n The Offline files system in Windows Vista is vastly improved and not activated by default but you should still consider it’s use carefuly. <\/p>\n SUMMARY: Assess the pros and cons of offline files on Desktop machines in your OU. If they are not benefitting you or your end users then please consider switching them off.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the CAMPUS domain offline files are turned on by default; the majority of users will have seen the now familiar ‘Synchronising’ dialogue message window which appears when they log off a PC. However, Offline files can cause warning and … Continue reading