Windows Vista / Windows 7: "Offline files" is different from "Shared Folder Synchronization"

I produced my Windows Vista / Windows 7: How to access a networked drive while offline... blog entry in response to an issue that arose at my job (plug:  remember that I work for Berico Technologies and I am working at a client's site).  There is a real need for offline access to certain files.  Naturally, Microsoft's Sync Center and its support for offline file and folder access is the perfect fit.

I know... you are waiting for the "But....." aren't you....

But, it is possible that the user can become confused between offline access and shared folder access.  Let me explain, please.  When Microsoft released Microsoft Office Professional 2010 (Microsoft Office Professional 2010 Product Key Card 269-14834 (Google Affiliate Ad)) and Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010, they included a feature called "Shared Folder Synchronization".  This feature becomes available on the Windows Explorer right-click context menu, which is useful when you are using Microsoft SharePoint Workspace (formerly known as Microsoft Office Groove).  Here is a Wikipedia article about both of them.  Interestingly, with the release of Microsoft Office 2013, Microsoft SharePoint Workspace has been discontinued in favor of Microsoft SkyDrive Pro.

In the above image, you can see "Always available offline" and "Shared Folder Synchronization".

For "offline files", the user should only use the "Always available offline" item on the right-click context menu.  Once a folder and/or file has a check mark beside "Always available offline", a new menu item appears called "Sync".  Clicking on Sync presents a "Sync selected offline files" sub-menu.  Clicking on "Sync selected offline files" will immediately sync all offline files.

Finally, the "Sync Center", which is the central management application for offline files, can be found either on the Start Menu -> All Programs -> Accessories menu or, within Windows Explorer, under the Tools menu (which may be hidden, so press Alt + T on the keyboard).

Further information:
Microsoft:  SkyDrive
Microsoft:  What is SkyDrive Pro?

I hope this provides some clarity.

CD