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      Setting Up Windows Sync Center for Folder Synchronization

      If you install multiple devices in need of the same content, you might want to set up a sync center so you can push all changes to the server and not need to care about the clients.

      1. Enable File Sharing on the Host (Server)

      To allow clients to access and sync the folder, you must enable file sharing on the host machine.

      Step 1: Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing

      1. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center.
      2. Click Change advanced sharing settings (left panel).
      3. Under Private (current profile):
        • Turn on Network discovery.
        • Turn on File and printer sharing.
      4. Under All Networks:
        • Turn on Public folder sharing.
        • Scroll down to Password-protected sharing and choose Turn off password-protected sharing (optional).
      5. Click Save changes.

      Step 2: Share the Folder C:\fast\designs

      1. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\fast\designs.
      2. Right-click the folder and select Properties.
      3. Go to the Sharing tab and click Advanced Sharing.
      4. Check Share this folder, then click Permissions.
      5. Add the required users or Everyone (for open access) and grant Full Control.
      6. Click Apply → OK.

      Step 3: Obtain the Network Path

      1. Go back to the Sharing tab in the folder properties.
      2. Copy the Network Path displayed (e.g., \\HOSTNAME\designs).
        • You can check your PC name by running hostname in Command Prompt.

      2. Set Up Sync Center on Client Devices

      Each client will synchronize with the shared folder on the host.

      Step 1: Map the Network Drive

      1. Open File Explorer on the client machine.
      2. Click This PC → Map Network Drive (top bar).
      3. Choose a drive letter (e.g., Z:).
      4. In Folder, type the network path copied earlier:
        \\HOSTNAME\designs
      5. Check Reconnect at sign-in and click Finish.

      Step 2: Enable Offline Files

      1. Open Control Panel and navigate to Sync Center.
      2. Click Manage Offline Files (left panel).
      3. In the General tab, click Enable offline files.
      4. Restart the computer when prompted.

      Step 3: Make the Folder Available Offline

      1. Open File Explorer and go to the mapped drive (Z:\).
      2. Right-click the designs folder and select Always available offline.
      3. Windows will start syncing the folder for offline use.

      3. Sync and Manage Files

      After setup, Sync Center will automatically sync changes when connected to the network.

      Manually Syncing Files

      1. Open Sync Center (search in Start Menu).
      2. Click View sync partnerships.
      3. Select the network folder and click Sync Now.

      Troubleshooting Sync Issues

      • Sync Conflicts: If there are conflicting files, resolve them in Sync Center → View sync conflicts.
      • Sync Not Working: Ensure the host is online and accessible from the network.
      • Offline Files Not Syncing: Disable and re-enable offline files in Sync Center.

      4. Automating Sync (Optional)

      You can schedule syncs to happen automatically:

      1. Open Sync Center.
      2. Click Schedule Sync in the left panel.
      3. Choose the shared folder and set a sync schedule (e.g., every 30 minutes).

      Conclusion

      By following these steps, Sync Center will keep the C:\fast\designs folder synchronized across all client devices, allowing for easy offline access and automatic updates when reconnected.

      Would you like additional troubleshooting tips or automation suggestions? 🚀