Reset Offline File Cache

About a year ago we did a fileserver migration as the hardware is about to die on the existing server

Everything went well and we got the data across with shares and permissions as they were previously

However, we were told after the event that several users used the offline files feature in XP for when they worked away from the office.

Our move to the new server played havoc with it and even after i found some nice commands to “repoint” the offline files database to a new location (details here) it was still cranky so we thought it best to just started again

However just deleting the offline copies of the files isn’t always enough.

I had a similar issue occur today so thought i’d post about what i did

If offline files is doing weird things you can completely reset the cache

1. In Folder Options, on the Offline Files tab, press CTRL+SHIFT, and then click Delete Files. The following message appears:
The Offline Files cache on the local computer will be re-initialized. Any changes that have not been synchronized with computers on the network will be lost. Any files or folders made available offline will no longer be available offline. A computer restart is required.

Do you wish to re-initialize the cache?
 
2. Click Yes two times to restart the computer.

After you have restarted the computer you’ll have a nice clean offline files database and you can start again. Supporting KB article here

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Andy Parkes is Technical Director at Coventry based IT support company IBIT Solutions. Formerly, coordinator of AMITPRO and Microsoft Partner Area Lead for 2012-2013. He also isn't a fan of describing himself in the third person.

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