Choose an Offline Files synchronization policy for metered connections

Source facts

Microsoft documents background synchronization controls that account for roaming and bandwidth limits on metered connections. Users can also initiate synchronization manually. The Enable file synchronization on costed networks Group Policy setting permits background Offline Files synchronization while connected to a metered network. The documented domain-based procedure requires AD DS and domain-joined clients, without additional functional-level or schema requirements. Microsoft documentation.

Applicability

Use this review for managed clients whose Offline Files data must be synchronized while users travel. Identify the data owner, metered network use, and expected synchronization needs before selecting a policy scope.

DSE recommendation

Ask the business owner to balance data freshness against the organization’s connection-cost policy. Define which users need background synchronization, which networks they use, and how support staff should handle an overdue synchronization. Pilot the policy with a small representative group. Communicate the intended behavior and the circumstances in which a manual synchronization should be requested.

Verification

Inspect the applied policy on a pilot client and record its network classification during the test. Observe a permitted background synchronization and a separately initiated manual one. Confirm the selected files and timestamps at both endpoints. Record unexpected transfers or absent updates with the connection conditions before expanding the policy.

Official references

Microsoft Learn: Enable Background File Synchronization on Metered Networks in Windows and Windows Server. Source reviewed September 8, 2026.