How to disable Offline files in Windows 10

Question

_{Wednesday, May 11, 2016 11:34 AM | 1 vote}

Hi folks, with previous versions of Windoes (2000, XP, 7) we used to disable offline files features with the GPO parameter "Allow or Disallow use of the Offline Files feature" set to Disabled Under Computer Configuration > Administrative templates > Network > Offile Files.

The feature was disabled like this with 7:

As we began to deploy Windows 10 on some devices I can see that with the same GPO the feature is enabled by default and locked by system:

What's going wrong with Windows 10?

All replies (7)

_{Thursday, May 12, 2016 8:45 AM ✅Answered}

Hello Michael, thank you for your answer.

We have folder redirection enabled, but roaming profiles is disabled.

Why leave offline files enabled on all devices? It's usefull for mobile users with laptop and tabletts, but not for the other cases. Furthermore we are a School with thousands of students moving on many computers in many classrooms so offline files will add so more complexity without any purpose...

About my issu, there's a bug in Windows 10, the Policy is well applied in RSOP but the service is still on automatic startup.

Disabling the service is a good workaround but the problem need to be fixed.

Kind regards

_{Wednesday, May 11, 2016 1:18 PM | 1 vote}

Maybe it's because you have no offline files to disable:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-sync-center

Best regards, George

_{Wednesday, May 11, 2016 2:42 PM | 1 vote}

No the feature is enabled and I can synchronize file on share where it's enabled on the server.

_{Wednesday, May 11, 2016 3:06 PM}

Ok, then just disable the service:

Best regards, George

_{Thursday, May 12, 2016 6:17 AM}

SupportS2L,

Have you configured roaming profiles (and folder redirection) on Windows 10?

If yes, then we'd better leave offline files enabled.

To disable offline files, the policy you have configured should be the way to go.

Which should be same as the following registry modification:

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

For more information about offline files, see blog below:

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/filecab/2015/08/12/demystify-offline-files/

Regards

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_{Thursday, May 19, 2016 7:55 AM}

Hi,

Thanks for the update.

So what is your current situation?

Thanks for your feedback, I will make another test from my side, and once confirmed, will submit feedback from my side.

Regards

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_{Friday, January 5, 2018 5:01 PM}

George, is there a way to set OFFLINE FILES to be off by default in Windows 10? I need the setting to be where the user has to manually turn on (Enable) offline files in the Sync Center -> Manage Offline Files screen. I want to set this across the enterprise as a default user setting.

I want to deploy Windows 10 across the network with OFFLINE FILES available to use; but I want it to be turned off when I get Windows 10 installed -> before the user gets the laptop.