You can still access offline files even though the file server is removed from the network on a Windows 7-based client computer

This article describes an issue where you can still access offline files even though the file server is removed from the network.

Applies to:   Windows 7 Service Pack 1
Original KB number:   942974

Symptoms

On a Windows Vista-based or Windows 7-based client computer, you can still access offline files even though the file server is removed from the network. Additionally, you can delete the offline files and the temporary files in the Offline Files item in Control Panel.

Resolution

Important

This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

To resolve this problem, reinitialize the cache of offline files. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press Enter.

    Note

    If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or click Continue.

  2. Locate the following registry subkey, and then right-click it:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CSC

  3. Point to New, and then click Key.

  4. Type Parameters in the box.

  5. Right-click Parameters, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  6. Type FormatDatabase, and then press Enter.

  7. Right-click FormatDatabase, and then click Modify.

  8. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.

  9. Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

Note

Make sure that files are synchronized before you add this registry entry. Otherwise, unsynchronized changes will be lost.

You can also automate the process of setting this registry value by using the Reg.exe command line tool. To do this, run the following command from an administrative command prompt:

REG ADD "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CSC\Parameters" /v FormatDatabase /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Note

  • Make sure that files are synchronized before you add this registry entry. Otherwise, unsynchronized changes will be lost.
  • The actual value of the new registry key is ignored.
  • This registry change requires a restart. When the computer is restarting, the shell will re-initialize the CSC cache, and then delete the registry key if the registry entry exists.

Status

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.