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One major disappointment after Vista Home Premium upgrade - No Offline Files

Question
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So I finally decided to toss in that Express Upgrade CD Dell sent me a while back to upgrade from XP Pro to Home Premium on my Laptop - primarily because I saw there were more WHS features available with Vista.
After getting everything loaded, I of course moved my Documents, Pictures and Music locations to where theyre all stored on WHS - just as I did with my XP setup previously. I then spent the next hour trying to find where Vista decided to hide the Offline Files settings only to finally realize this feature isnt available in the "Home" editions.
Now I know its my own fault that I didnt put the research in and should have known about this sooner and all that, but this feature just seemed like no brainer. I also realize this is a Windows Home Server forum, not Vista, but I just can't believe there wasnt a forethought when designing Vista and WHS.
Not having Offline Files available for laptops defeats the main purpose WHS is marketed for - one central place for all your media. Now Im forced to either keep some files on my Laptop and some of my Server or a copy on each and use some third party program to ensure theyre kept in sync.
Dont get me wrong, I still love WHS and Im even starting to come around with Vista as well, but this discovery was certainly a major disappointment.Thursday, June 14, 2007 3:32 PM
All replies
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I HAVE offline files and I did not like the headache I was running into trying to keep everything in Sync (I wanted a centered mydoc's for laptop/desktop) What i have been using is MS Foldershare (https://www.foldershare.com/) It keeps my documents in sync between my desktop and my laptop and than my WHS keeps both those computers (with documents) backed up. It's a better system in my opinion since they they are allways the same as long as you have a internet connection and you can go back to previous versions via browseing the backup files on the WHS. Thats just my 2 cents. Good luck!
ps... looks like https://www.foldershare.com/ is down right now
Thursday, June 14, 2007 4:36 PM -
timeofcourse,
Unfortunately you are a victim of what I call a Microsoft marketing "downgrade." If you originally had Windows XP Pro, the Express Upgrade should have offered an upgrade to Windows Vista Business as this is truly a comparable upgrade. Vista Home versions are similar in features and security granularity as XP Home; and, Vista Business versions are similar in features and security granularity as XP Pro. Check these links out below for additional information...
http://www.blackviper.com/WinVista/Services/Offline_Files.htm
If you have the option, go back to XP Pro, otherwise, try to get Vista Business.
Good luck,
John
Friday, June 15, 2007 4:53 PM -
Yust right-click on the folder on WHS to select 'Make available Offline'
This should do the trick.
Or better, redirect the location of your Documents folder to a subfolder onder your personal WHS folder.
hans.hinnekint@bekaert.com
Friday, June 15, 2007 7:30 PM -
Hans-
Offline Files isnt available in either of the Home editions for Vista - so this isnt possible.
Mark-
Thanks for the reply. I wish I had done a little more research on what exactly is missing from Home Premium. Another big one Im really going to miss is Remote Desktop. I just cant believe Microsoft decided to remove these features out of their primary OS - of course I guess they needed a little more than "Ultimate Extras" to make Ultimate a more enticing choice. Im going to see if Dell will let me swap for Business as it has everything I want and really could care about the things its missing. Although I doubt theyll honor this after Ive already loaded it.
Thanks again.Friday, June 15, 2007 9:39 PM -
Hello,
I'm a little bit embarassed on my remark on Offline FIles. I have only experience with Vista Business and Ulltimate.
You can use Microsoft's free SyncToy to do the job.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/synctoy.mspx
Kind regards,
Hans
Monday, June 18, 2007 5:21 PM