Functionality | Availability | Description |
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Work Folders role service in Server Manager | Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, or Windows Server 2012 R2 | File and Storage Services provides a way to set up sync shares (folders that store user's work files), monitors Work Folders, and manages sync shares and user access |
Work Folders cmdlets | Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, or Windows Server 2012 R2 | A Windows PowerShell module that contains comprehensive cmdlets for managing Work Folders servers |
Work Folders integration with Windows | Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows RT 8.1 Windows 7 (download required) | Work Folders provides the following functionality in Windows computers: - A Control Panel item that sets up and monitors Work Folders - File Explorer integration that enables easy access to files in Work Folders - A sync engine that transfers files to and from a central file server while maximizing battery life and system performance |
Work Folders app for devices | Android Apple iPhone and iPad® | An app that allows popular devices to access files in Work Folders |
Feature/functionality | New or updated? | Description |
---|---|---|
Improved logging | New in Windows Server 2019 | Event logs on the Work Folders server can be used to monitor sync activity and identify users that are failing sync sessions. Use Event ID 4020 in the Microsoft-Windows-SyncShare/Operational event log to identify which users are failing sync sessions. Use Event ID 7000 and Event ID 7001 in the Microsoft-Windows-SyncShare/Reporting event log to monitor users that are successfully completing upload and download sync sessions. |
Performance counters | New in Windows Server 2019 | The following performance counters were added: Bytes downloaded/sec, Bytes uploaded/sec, Connected Users, Files downloaded/sec, Files uploaded/sec, Users with change detection, Incoming requests/sec and Outstanding requests. |
Improved server performance | Updated in Windows Server 2019 | Performance improvements were made to handle more users per server. The limit per server varies and is based on the number of files and file churn. To determine the limit per server, users should be added to the server in phases. |
On-demand file access | Added to Windows 10 version 1803 | Enables you to see and access all of your files. You control which files are stored on your PC and available offline. The rest of your files are always visible and don’t take up any space on your PC, but you need connectivity to the Work Folders file server to access them. |
Azure AD Application Proxy support | Added to Windows 10 version 1703, Android, iOS | Remote users can securely access their files on the Work Folders server using Azure AD Application Proxy. |
Faster change replication | Updated in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 | For Windows Server 2012 R2, when file changes are synced to the Work Folders server, clients are not notified of the change and wait up to 10 minutes to get the update. When using Windows Server 2016, the Work Folders server immediately notifies Windows 10 clients and the file changes are synced immediately. This capability is new in Windows Server 2016 and requires a Windows 10 client. If you're using an older client or the Work Folders server is Windows Server 2012 R2, the client will continue to poll every 10 minutes for changes. |
Integrated with Windows Information Protection (WIP) | Added to Windows 10 version 1607 | If an administrator deploys WIP, Work Folders can enforce data protection by encrypting the data on the PC. The encryption is using a key associated with the Enterprise ID, which can be remotely wiped by using a supported mobile device management package such as Microsoft Intune. |
Work Folders | Offline Files | OneDrive for Business | OneDrive | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Technology summary | Syncs files that are stored on a file server with PCs and devices | Syncs files that are stored on a file server with PCs that have access to the corporate network (can be replaced by Work Folders) | Syncs files that are stored in Microsoft 365 or in SharePoint with PCs and devices inside or outside a corporate network, and provides document collaboration functionality | Syncs personal files that are stored in OneDrive with PCs, Mac computers, and devices |
Intended to provide user access to work files | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Cloud service | None | None | Microsoft 365 | Microsoft OneDrive |
Internal network servers | File servers running Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019 | File servers | SharePoint server (optional) | None |
Supported clients | PCs, iOS, Android | PCs in a corporate network or connected through DirectAccess, VPNs, or other remote access technologies | PCs, iOS, Android, Windows Phone | PCs, Mac computers, Windows Phone, iOS, Android |
Install-WindowsFeature
cmdlet. Both methods accomplish the following:Content type | References |
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Product evaluation | - Work Folders for Android – Released (blog post) - Work Folders for iOS – iPad App Release (blog post) - Introducing Work Folders on Windows Server 2012 R2 (blog post) - Introduction to Work Folders (Channel 9 Video) - Work Folders Test Lab Deployment (blog post) - Work Folders for Windows 7 (blog post) |
Deployment | - Designing a Work Folders Implementation - Deploying Work Folders - Deploying Work Folders with AD FS and Web Application Proxy (WAP) - Deploying Work Folders with Azure AD Application Proxy - Offline Files (CSC) to Work Folders Migration Guide - Performance Considerations for Work Folders Deployments - Work Folders for Windows 7 (64 bit download) - Work Folders for Windows 7 (32 bit download) |
Operations | - Work Folders iPad app: FAQ (for users) - Work Folders Certificate Management (blog post) - Monitoring Windows Server 2012 R2 Work Folders Deployments (blog post) - SyncShare (Work Folders) Cmdlets in Windows PowerShell - Storage and File Services PowerShell Cmdlets Quick Reference Card For Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Edition |
Troubleshooting | - Windows Server 2012 R2 – Resolving Port Conflict with IIS Websites and Work Folders (blog post) - Common Errors in Work Folders |
Community resources | - File Services and Storage Forum - The Storage Team at Microsoft - File Cabinet Blog - Ask the Directory Services Team Blog |
Related technologies | - Storage in Windows Server 2016 - File and Storage Services - File Server Resource Manager - Folder Redirection, Offline Files, and Roaming User Profiles - BranchCache - DFS Namespaces and DFS Replication |