Windows Offline files
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Does this logic seem to flow?
User is working from WiFi at a remote network that is VPN connected to main network, so things flow without issue between users and the server (no VPN on the clients).
User creates new Excel file saves it to \server\users$\username\documents\abc\filename.xlsx
User works for a while, saving every now and again.
User stops working, puts laptop into sleep mode, and goes home.
user comes in following day, logs onto their desktop, tries to locate file in \user\users$\username\documents\abc and it's not there.
Opens laptop - there it is - verify saved location - verified.
I know that frequently - Windows will save new files that are saved in offline file locations to the local cache first, then later copy them up to the network.
I believe the reason it didn't show up on the network is because she didn't close Excel on the laptop AND then give Windows enough time to sync the files to the network share before putting the computer into sleep mode.
Part of me is a bit surprised that literally nothing was pushed to the server - but perhaps nothing will be pushed until the user closes the application? Then, when the normal sync time hits, the system pushes the file to the network?
I know if she has shutdown while being on the network, it's part of the typical shutdown process to sync the files in offline locations during shutdown - but she didn't shutdown, she simply put it to sleep - and the file was still open - so it was locked...
Thoughts?
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Now I worked around this issue - synced stuff - by closing excel on the local machine - using explorer to go to \server\users$\username\documents\abc and right clicking on the file in question and choosing sync - we instantly saw the file appear on the desktop computer after doing that.
I guess I need to do another test and see how long the auto process takes to sync.
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I disable Windows Offline Files for that reason, it is a pain to deal with and causes more problems than anything else. But yeah, even if it was locked out and the computer went to sleep it will mark it as offline since the computer detected a change on the network connectivity.
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@dbeato said in Windows Offline files:
I disable Windows Offline Files for that reason, it is a pain to deal with and causes more problems than anything else. But yeah, even if it was locked out and the computer went to sleep it will mark it as offline since the computer detected a change on the network connectivity.
I typically do for desktops - either the network is up, or you're not working anyway.
But this user is one of the rare mobile ones..I really need to have a sit down and come up with a better overall solution - nextcloud sync or OD4B (with O365), etc..
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Offline files was enabled at one of my former gigs and it was HELL to troubleshoot with users, mainly 'cause it was all remote, often with inadequate remote assistance tools.
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@Dashrender said in Windows Offline files:
I know that frequently - Windows will save new files that are saved in offline file locations to the local cache first, then later copy them up to the network.
I believe the reason it didn't show up on the network is because she didn't close Excel on the laptop AND then give Windows enough time to sync the files to the network share before putting the computer into sleep mode.this would be the expected behaviour, yes. No different really than a DropBox or NextCloud.
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@notverypunny said in Windows Offline files:
Offline files was enabled at one of my former gigs and it was HELL to troubleshoot with users, mainly 'cause it was all remote, often with inadequate remote assistance tools.
I agree, it's flaky and really confuses users and provides extremely little feedback. Unlike Dropbox that tends to be pretty clear.
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@dbeato said in Windows Offline files:
I disable Windows Offline Files for that reason, it is a pain to deal with and causes more problems than anything else. But yeah, even if it was locked out and the computer went to sleep it will mark it as offline since the computer detected a change on the network connectivity.
^^This. I have been disabling offline files for 15+ years. It never works the way people expect. #chasingghosts
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@scottalanmiller said in Windows Offline files:
@Dashrender said in Windows Offline files:
I know that frequently - Windows will save new files that are saved in offline file locations to the local cache first, then later copy them up to the network.
I believe the reason it didn't show up on the network is because she didn't close Excel on the laptop AND then give Windows enough time to sync the files to the network share before putting the computer into sleep mode.this would be the expected behaviour, yes. No different really than a DropBox or NextCloud.
Thanks, the confirmation was mainly what I was looking for.
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@wrx7m said in Windows Offline files:
@dbeato said in Windows Offline files:
I disable Windows Offline Files for that reason, it is a pain to deal with and causes more problems than anything else. But yeah, even if it was locked out and the computer went to sleep it will mark it as offline since the computer detected a change on the network connectivity.
^^This. I have been disabling offline files for 15+ years. It never works the way people expect. #chasingghosts
It’s been about two years for me too since moving away from Windows Offline Files to Nextcloud/OneDrive.
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@black3dynamite said in Windows Offline files:
@wrx7m said in Windows Offline files:
@dbeato said in Windows Offline files:
I disable Windows Offline Files for that reason, it is a pain to deal with and causes more problems than anything else. But yeah, even if it was locked out and the computer went to sleep it will mark it as offline since the computer detected a change on the network connectivity.
^^This. I have been disabling offline files for 15+ years. It never works the way people expect. #chasingghosts
It’s been about two years for me too since moving away from Windows Offline Files to Nextcloud/OneDrive.
And no regrets, I bet.
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@scottalanmiller said in Windows Offline files:
@black3dynamite said in Windows Offline files:
@wrx7m said in Windows Offline files:
@dbeato said in Windows Offline files:
I disable Windows Offline Files for that reason, it is a pain to deal with and causes more problems than anything else. But yeah, even if it was locked out and the computer went to sleep it will mark it as offline since the computer detected a change on the network connectivity.
^^This. I have been disabling offline files for 15+ years. It never works the way people expect. #chasingghosts
It’s been about two years for me too since moving away from Windows Offline Files to Nextcloud/OneDrive.
And no regrets, I bet.
I would expect a similar situation to still exist for the situation I put forth above.
