Windows 10: How can I adjust offline cache size for File History? Option is gone.

In File History > Advanced settings of W8 and W8.1, there was an option to adjust the offline cache size (default 5%). In W10 this option is gone! So I have two questions:

1. Is the default still 5%? Or? (maybe even more intelligent / dynamic?)
2. Is there a way to change the offline cache size / percentage? For example in the registry?

Thanks!

:)

 

Reduce offline files cache size

Hello

Recently, I have migrated data from a local user account to a domain account, where the content of certain folders are synchronised with a file server (folderredirectdir).

However, the amount of data was roughly 150 GB, whereas the offline data storage limit was initially set to 30 GB, so the file-sync background process gave me an error after a while, telling me to increase the cache in order to continue synchronisation.

Here is the first question: why would it require a larger cache? Can't it just delete files from the local cache?

Anyway, I naively/stupidly increased the cache size to roughly 90% of the storage space of C:\, then the synchronisation kept on going, and I thought my problem was solved.

However, there is another network storage that holds roughly 250 GB, and which started filling up the local hard drive immediately after I increased the cache size. Needless to say, my local hard drive (~350 GB) is uncapable of holding all that
data, and is currently entirely filled up. When removing something locally, the space gets immediately taken again by the synchronisation process, and C:\ remains at 100%.

I tried to reduce the offline file cache again, but this time the slider for setting the cache size remains blocked at 154 GB (I can't move it further to the left). I assume it's because one of the network storage's offline files are currently occupying
154 GB, so reducing it further would cause deletion of files.

So the second question: how can I reduce the cache size below the amount of locally stored/offline files?

Alternatively (if the answer is "you cannot do that"): is there a way remove local files without removing them on the (online) network storage?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT

I have found that I can browse the offline files cache and delete files locally via the offline files viewer (control panel → sync centre → manage offline files → view your offline files). So this should at least answer the last question.

Yet questions 1 and 2 remain...

 

Offline files in Windows 10

How to make Offline cache folder size - set to 20% ?

 

This is real problem. Offilne cache is definied in config file connected with user account. In Windows 10 size of offline is 0,005% (really!!) and you cannot change it. It's terrible.

 

From my understanding, File History in Windows 10 will store versions of your files until the drive runs out of space, or for how long you set to keep saved versions.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5...dows-10-a.html

 

@Brink - you are right, but problem is in another topic.
If you set up File History you have to choose external drive (e.g. USB). On this drive file history will save copies when you plug this external drive. But meanwhile, when Windows doesn't have plugged this external USB drive, you file history is caching at every hour offline on C: drive (OS drive). And when you plug external drive, your file history will automatically copy from this offline cache to external drive.
In Windows 8.1 this offline cache can be choosen in options between 5-20% of whole size of system drive (usually C*Smile. This option disappear in Windows 10. Nowadays in Windows 10 offline cache is only 0,005%. And we cannot change it. So - If you had system drive like 100GB offline cache Was in Win 8.1 20GB. In Windows 10 it is only 0,5 GB! So - i.e. if you are in travel and working on some files file history stops working in W10 after saving only 500MB of files. This is a dolf's and my problem.

BTW - in Apple OS X offline cache has no limit in Time Machine. Why Windows 10 give us this horrible limitations? This limitation make File History useless if you are traveling a lot without external drive.

 

Sorry Konradzio. I misunderstood. I haven't seen a way to change the offline cache size in W10 either.

 

Could you create a folder (as a networked location) on the external drive and then set that up for file history. I run file history in W10 (but on the local drive) and use this method. There is no restriction on space. My file history is currently at 7.5Gb on a 30Gb partition.

 

I think I'm misunderstanding you as well... ignore *Smile

 

@Mooly - I have only 120GB SSD. This is not solution for things that I'm looking for. File History is a backup for me.
And I would like to use File History with external 2TB USB drive with big offline cache. Why W10 disables big offline cache?
The config of offline cache size is in file:
C:\Users\Konrad\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Configuration
there are two files which controll offline cache size: config1.xml + config2.xml
they have lines:
tagingArea>
<StagingAreaPath>C:\Users\Konrad\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory\Data</StagingAreaPath>
<StagingAreaMaximumCapacity>637203886</StagingAreaMaximumCapacity>
<StagingAreaWarningThreshold>477902914</StagingAreaWarningThreshold>
</StagingArea>

Bold is offline cache size in bytes.

 

It probably doesn't mean much on my set up but I see:

<StagingAreaMaximumCapacity>376333905</StagingAreaMaximumCapacity>
<StagingAreaWarningThreshold>282250428</StagingAreaWarningThreshold>

The partition size available for my File History is 30Gb. I don't know how you would alter the off-line cache though.

 

Just a thought (although maybe make a backup first). Have you tried editing the .xml file to change the size of the cache and warning threshold. If you right click the file then 'edit' should be an option.

Make sure you can put things back as they were before attempting this.

 

@Konradzio: you explained my original problem perfectly, thank you. At last this thread comes alive *Smile
Perhaps you also gave a solution without realizing? As @Mooly suggested: perhaps the xml file you mentioned can be modified. I am sure it can. But will it work? I haven't tested it yet. To be continued....

 

@Mooly - I've tried - it doesn't work. After changing this value, Windows automatically change values to default when File History start to work. I've tried to change file permissions, but it doesn't work too. This value must be set in registry. But where?

 

It was worth a try. I'm afraid I've no idea where any reg key relating to that might be stored.