Exclude selected redirected folders from automatic offline caching

Source facts

Microsoft provides a Folder Redirection policy that excludes selected redirected folders from automatic offline availability. Enabling the policy allows administrators to choose the folders to exclude. Leaving it disabled or unconfigured makes all redirected folders available offline. The documented configuration uses Group Policy and selects the individual folder checkboxes in that policy’s options. Microsoft documentation.

Applicability

Review the supported client versions, domain membership, affected users, redirected folders, and expected disconnected work. Ask each data owner which folders users must be able to access away from the network.

DSE recommendation

Prepare a user-and-folder decision table before enabling the policy. Record why each folder is excluded and how users should work when the share is unreachable. Have the endpoint owner review the intended GPO scope and any conflicting Folder Redirection settings.

Verification

Apply the policy to a representative test user and inspect the resulting folder choices. Test access while connected and during an approved disconnected scenario, then reconnect and examine the user’s file state. Record missing offline access as either the approved result or an unexpected failure before extending the policy to other users.

Official references

Microsoft Learn: Disable Offline Files on individual redirected folders. Source reviewed September 8, 2026.