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How to reset Offline Files in Windows Vista
November 26, 2007
The Offline Files feature in Windows Vista is fantastic! It truly solves the problems that Offline Files had in Windows XP. I have run across one problem though. Twice now, I’ve had to move all of my files to another server, necessitating clearing out my old offline files and enabling them at the new location. This tends to be an issue when you’re toting 25GB of Offline Files. So what I’ve found is that it’s easier to just completely reset Offline Files and have Windows Vista build it up from scratch. I’ve had a lot of trouble finding this procedure, so here it is, in hopes that it helps someone who’s looking for it.
To reinitialize the Offline Files cache, create the following DWORD registry value with a value of 1 and restart the system.
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CSC\Parameters\FormatDatabase
Note that any unsynchronized changes will be lost. In addition, any files and folders pinned by means other than Folder Redirection or Group Policy will no longer be pinned on that client.
The setting of this registry value may be automated using REG.EXE.
REG ADD "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CSC\Parameters" /v FormatDatabase /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
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about 4 years ago
I am pressing Offline Files to the limit by utilizing it over a vpn. Your info and Reg Add example has been a lifesaver!
Regards,
Don
about 4 years ago
Don,
I’m glad that this information was useful! Best of luck.
John R. Pattison
about 3 years ago
Thanks for help!!
about 3 years ago
Works like a charm in Windows 7 also.
about 3 years ago
Hello,
I am trying desperatly to reset my offline files cache because basically it’s got itself in a right mess. I tried your auto-script to change the registry, but it didn’t work. On checking the registry, I could not find the "\FormatDatabase" part of the path. I’m not an expert with registries – how do I get around that problem?
Much obliged, Simon
about 3 years ago
This solution also appears to work in Windows 7
about 3 years ago
Confirmed this solution does work in windows 7
Heres for Win XP if needed
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\NetCache
add
Key Name: FormatDatabase
Key Type: DWORD
Key Value: 1
about 3 years ago
John,
I ran into a random issue with Windows 7 / Offline Files / Sync Center / Server 2003 Std.
I first noticed an issue when I scanned documents from my Brother MFC-9840CDW to a network share on our server. The network share is setup to be used as Offline Files on our workstations.
I randomly started receiving "Access Denied" messages on the Windows 7 workstations. After verifying permission settings over and over again, I was a bit confused as to what changed.
I tried deleting the Offline Files in Windows 7, but it didn’t appear to actually remove the Offline Files.
I added your registry value fix and restarted the workstations. All of our Offline Files sync up correctly now.
Your solution worked great.
Many thanks!
about 3 years ago
I just used this on a X64 Windows 7 machine connected to a Server 2008 R2 machine using Office 2010 RTM, and it is the ONLY solution I found to work. Thank you, and this ends some frustration for me. I could save and edit files in notepad, but not office, until I ran this.