Why does disabling offline files cause problems with OneDrive?

Moss Piglets 1 Reputation point
2021-01-20T20:03:31.22+00:00

Architecture: Windows Server 2012 R2, latest updates applied, Windows 10 Pro laptops (Lenovo), with folder redirection/ offline files.

Description of problem: When disabling offline files on an end-users machine, once rebooted the machine can see the locally saved profile (C:\Users\%username%\OneDrive), and all the files on OneDrive in there. The OneDrive service starts and appears to be working fine, no errors. However, when opening Office files, they either open but don't display anything or will throw an error essentially saying the resource is not there, check file path etc. This also happens on synced SharePoint Online folders in File Explorer.

We only have Documents and Desktop set to redirect. Which don't appear in the C:\Users\%username%\ folder as they follow the UNC path \DOMAIN\Redirected\Desktop.

I've tested this on 2 machines, and have no reason to believe it would be different on others.

I can confirm the profiles tested on were both local profile, we don't have roaming profiles set-up (I don't think), however when connected to the domain, you can sign into any domain connected machine (I'm not a wiz with Windows Server, but trying to learn).

My expectation is that OneDrive should work regardless of offline files being disabled or enabled. Or is that wrong?

I should also note, disabling offline files then connecting to the server via VPN resolves the issue with OneDrive, files on OD & SPO (in file explorer) will open fine again.

Any advice on the issue or pointing me in the direction of more info would be greatly appreciated.

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
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Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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OneDrive Management
OneDrive Management
OneDrive: A Microsoft file hosting and synchronization service.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
1,136 questions

1 answer

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  1. Mico Mi 1,921 Reputation points
    2021-01-21T05:44:40.357+00:00

    Hi,
    Here is a similar issue Outlook trouble with redirected and offline files disabled and I found that it could cause some issues when disabling the offline files.
    Could you please tell me why you need to disable the offline files?
    If your purpose is to secure your data by disabling offline files, as a workaround, you can enable EFS on the CSC folder or use BitLocker, then you can turn Offline Files back on.

    Thanks for your time!
    Best Regards,
    Mico Mi

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