Microsoft GLC01878, GLC00182 Folder Redirection and Offline Files, Improved Roaming User Profiles

Windows 7 for IT Pros: Make People Productive Anywhere

Access Information from Anywhere

Folder Redirection and Offline Files

Using Folder Redirection and Offline Files is a convenient way for people not connected to the corporate network to access files stored on a central server. Windows 7 reduces initial wait times and improves branch office and remote access scenarios by operating in a Usually Offline mode when users are not connected to the same local area network (LAN) as the central server. Any changes made to copies of files that are cached on a user’s computer are synchronized to the central server the next time that person connects to the corporate network.

Windows 7 makes it easier to manage Folder Redirection and Offline Files. For example, you can use Group Policy to prevent specific types of files (such as music files) from being synchronized to the server. Administrators can also control when offline files are synchronized with the server, set up specific time intervals for synchronization, block out other times for bandwidth management, and configure a maxi- mum stale time after which files must be resynchronized.

Users can rename and delete folders even while in the offline mode. If network latency slows, and a share is transitioned into the slow-link mode, the share will automatically transition back to the online mode if network latency improves.

Improved Roaming User Profiles

Windows 7 makes Roaming User Profiles more useful and reliable because you can now automatically synchronize user settings with the data server while workers are still logged on, rather than waiting until after they log off.

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