How To Make Shared Folders Content Available Offline in Windows

Many a time, when a folder is shared is not available unless the computer is turned on. It is understandable but not desired as you might be away for a day and have to be called for a password.  However, in Windows, Shared folders can be made available offline with a unique feature called Caching. When sharing your folders, you can choose whether and how to make the shared content available offline in Windows.

It works on Windows 11, Windows 10, and earlier versions of Windows.

How To Make Shared Folders Content Available Offline in Windows

Only the files and programs that users specify will be available offline using this method. However, the end-user will have to open it at least once, and then it will be automatically available offline.

• Right-click on the older you have shared with everyone and click on Properties.
• Next, switch to the Sharing tab and then switch to the Sharing tab.
• Click on the Advanced Sharing button.
• Select Share this folder, and then click on the Caching button.
• Here you can choose from the following:
  • Only files and programs that users specify are available offline.
  • No files or programs from the shared are available offline.
  • All files and programs that users open from the shared folders are automatically available offline.
• Last check on the box that says Optimize for performance

How to Enable Caching or Offline Acess Using Command-Line

Use the following commands to change aching options for any shared folders. To find out all the folders shared on the computer, execute net share in the Command Prompt. Once you have the name, use the command below and replace <sharename> with the actual name.

net share <sharename> /cache:manual
net share <sharename> /cache:BranchCache
net share <sharename> /cache:documents
net share <sharename> /cache:programs
net share <sharename> /cache:none

So if your friends are complaining about not being able to access files when you are offline, tell them now you have configured it well.  This feature is available on all versions of Windows, including the consumer version. You can execute the same on Windows Terminal as well.

How do I make OneDrive files or folders available offline Windows?

Right-click on any files in OneDrive, and select make available offline. This works on both files and folders. The feature is convenient if you need to save space on your PC.

I hope the post was easy to follow, and you were able to enable offline access via making the content offline in the network folders. Do you use the feature?