How to Set Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows

Offline Files is a Windows feature that lets you access shared files even if you’re not online or disconnected from the network. It works by creating a local copy of those files and storing them in your system. This is useful for teams or users who need constant access to shared resources, even without an active connection. Moreover, it also boosts system performance by reducing real-time dependency on the network.

This guide provides steps for making network drive files always available offline so they are accessible even during network outages. If you’d rather watch than read, check out our video on How to Set Network Files as Always Available Offline in Windows.

📌 Recommended deployment strategies:

Requirements for Windows Offline Files

You must meet a few conditions before tweaking and using the Offline Files feature.

• Windows Edition: Offline files are only available in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. It is unavailable in Windows Home.
• Access to a shared network folder: You need access to a network share hosted on a file server or another system on the same network. To proceed to a shared network folder, here is a short guide:
  • Open File Explorer.
  • Type \\ComputerName\SharedFolder. For example: \\WorkComputer\SharedFolder.
  • Press Enter. The folder will open if it was correctly shared and you have the appropriate permissions.

Method 1: Manual setup using File Explorer

You can set specific files or folders to be available offline through a simple right-click.

📌 Use Cases: This method is ideal for single-user workstations or remote workers needing access to specific network folders.

📌 Prerequisites: 

• This method works for Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education.
• Access to a shared network folder.
• You must have the Offline Files feature enabled (see below).

1. Go to Sync Center. To open the program, use the Win + S shortcut or the search feature. You can also access it through the Control Panel.
2. Select Manage Offline Files. A dialog box will then appear.
3. Click Enable Offline Files. Restart your computer if prompted.
4. Open File Explorer.
5. Navigate to the Shared Network Folder. You can enter the network path (for example, \\ComputerName\SharedFolder) in the address bar at the top of the window, or browse it under Network.
6. Find the file you want to access offline, then right-click and select Always available offline. If this is grayed out, it means the feature is disabled. If this is the case, try to enable offline files again.
7. Windows will then start syncing, showing that the selected content is copied to your local cache.
8. Once you’ve done this, you can open the file or folder even if disconnected from the network.

💡 Note: Any changes made offline will sync when you reconnect.

Method 2: Group Policy

📌 Use Cases: Recommended for large organizations using Active Directory or for IT departments enforcing policy-based access.

📌 Prerequisites:

• This method works for Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education.
• You must have admin privileges.
• You must have access to the Policy Editor

Steps: 

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and click Enter.
2. Go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > Offline Files
3. Configure the following policies:

• Enable Offline Files to turn the feature on.
• Administratively assigned offline files to predefined folders to sync.
• Sync conflicts to manage how sync issues are resolved.
• Specify disk usage limits to control cache size.

1. Optionally, configure Folder Redirection under: User Configuration > Windows Settings > Folder Redirection
2. Apply changes and restart your machine. Alternatively, you can open an elevated Command Prompt and execute the command gpudate /force.

💡 Note: Users can still manually select files unless restricted by policy.

Method 3: PowerShell script automation

📌 Use Cases: Ideal for hybrid environments with some unmanaged devices or MSPs building deployment scripts.

📌 Prerequisites: 

• You must have administrator privileges.
• This method works for Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education.
• Works for PowerShell 5.0 or later.
• Need a refresher? Sign up for this free crash course, PowerShell for IT Ninjas.

Steps: 

1. Open PowerShell.
2. Execute the following commands, as needed:

Enable Offline Files

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName “OfflineFiles” -Online

Start-Service CscService

Sync a shared folder

$share = “\\Server\SharedFolder”

$offline = New-Object -ComObject OfflineFiles.OfflineFilesCache

$offline.Pin($share, $true, $true, 1)

(Optional) Unpin/remove a folder

$offline.Unpin($share, $true)

How to disable “Always available online” for a file

If you would like to disable or unset the always available offline feature, utilize the following steps:

1. Open File Explorer and go to the network folder where the file or folder was earlier set to be available offline.
2. Right-click the file or folder you no longer want cached locally, then right-click and select Always available offline. This will disable offline availability for that item.

💡 Note: the local cached version will be deleted, and the file will only be available online going forward.

Manage offline files with Sync Center

The Sync Center offers a centralized location to manage all your offline file settings and storage. Here’s how to access it, along with the tweaks you can perform:

1. Open Sync Center.
2. Click Manage Offline Files.
3. Aside from the Enable Offline Files option, you can also access these features:

• View disk usage to see how much space the offline files are using.
• Delete cached files to clear local copies of network files.
• Disable Offline Files to turn off the feature entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does it work on cloud storage?

The Offline Files feature only works on network locations. It won’t apply to cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox.

The Offline Files feature is ideal for working remotely and dealing with network outages

Having your network drive files always offline is helpful for teams working remotely and traveling users who may not always have an internet connection. Plus, network outages may occur on rare occasions, making this feature necessary.

Have the proper permissions

Ensure you have read and write access to the shared network folder to sync files online.

Will I have to sync files manually whenever I reconnect?

No, there is no need to. Whenever you reconnect to the network, any changes you have made offline will automatically sync with the original files.

Want a clutter-free network? Watch how to delete a network share on Windows 10 and 11.

Bonus tip: Clear the offline files cache

If things get buggy:

1. Open the Sync Center > Manage Offline Files
2. On the Disk Usage tab, click Delete temporary files
3. Restart your PC.

Have uninterrupted access to your network drive files with Offline Files on Windows 10

The Offline Files feature lets you work with network files whenever you’re off the grid or having trouble with your internet connection. It allows users to work even without online access while also letting them sync the files when they eventually connect to the network. Activating offline files requires a few clicks in the File Explorer, and you can manage it fully via the Sync Center. With this feature, you can reduce downtime and interruptions and maintain access to essential files wherever you are.