Offline Files; Warn When Another User Has The Same File Open

Question

We are using Windows Server 2008 R2 and have enabled offline files. We need offline files for the synchronization features and to allow them to take laptops out into the field.

However whilst our users are in the office and online we would prefer windows to show a warning if a user attempts to open the same file another user has open.

Is this possible?

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 03 '12 at 21:21

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Unlikely. Microsoft Office apps achieve this by using lock files, but that's obviously done at the application level and has nothing to do with the filesystem itself.

If you need to be able to ensure that file edits are not inadvertently overwritten by others with the same file open, you'll probably have to look at some kind of revision control system. Sharepoint, perhaps?

answered Apr 03 '12 at 21:21

Chris McKeown

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Sorry, I should have tested more thoroughly first. See the answer below. – Reafidy Apr 03 '12 at 22:27

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 03 '12 at 22:26

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Silly me, after testing the problem myself (and not relying on users) it appears windows does warn you that another file is looked for editing when using offline files. The problem must have occurred because one of the users was actually offline when they thought they were online. Therefore a sync correctly identified a conflict.

answered Apr 03 '12 at 22:26

Reafidy

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Windows doesn't do this. Office does. Try the same thing with Notepad and a text file. – Chris McKeown Apr 03 '12 at 22:35
@Chris, thanks for the info. I understand now. It is only office files we have a concern with, so it should be okay. – Reafidy Apr 03 '12 at 23:31

Offline Files; Warn When Another User Has The Same File Open

2 Answers2