Can't remove Sync Partnership

Hi Vic Tabram,
 
 
Sync is short for synchronization. In Windows, sync is the process of keeping two or more versions of the same file stored in different locations matched with each other. If you add, change, or delete a file in one location, Windows can add, change, or delete the same file in the other locations that you choose to sync with, whenever you choose to sync.
 
To end a sync partnership:
   1. Open Sync Center by clicking the Start button, clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, and then clicking Sync Center.
   2. Right-click the sync partnership that you want to end, and then click Delete.
 
(If there is no of delete when you right click then highlight the sync parternship that you want to delete and press the Delete key on the keyboard)
 
·         If you just want to stop a current sync in progress, do not follow the steps above, which will permanently end the sync partnership. Instead, right-click the sync partnership, and then click Stop sync with‍ partnership name. The sync partnership will sync again at the next scheduled time.
·         Some sync partnerships might not offer an option to delete the partnership. If they don't have this option, try opening the program or location where you set up the sync partnership to see if you can turn it off or delete it using that program or location.
·         Deleting a sync partnership rarely deletes any files or other information. It only ends the sync partnership. If you delete a sync partnership, it should warn you first before it delete files or other information.
 
You may refer to the below mentioned link for guidance -
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Troubleshoot-sync-problems
Sync Center: frequently asked questions
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Sync-Center-frequently-asked-questions

The above articles are published under Windows Vista category however thety hold good for Windows 7 as well.
 
Hope this helps.

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Thanks and Regards:
Shekhar S - Microsoft Support.

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Hi,

With respect, I would appriciate it if you would stop cut & pasting the standard information from the Sync Faq link. I have already looked at the FAQ and mentioned that I have read the other post in MS Answers in which exactly the same Sync Faq was pasted. Someone has already mentioned in there that it doesn't work.

I'm also fully aware of what Sync is short for and what Syncronisation actually does. None of this actually helps with the problem.

As an MS certified developer, an MCP and having worked in IT for 17 years it was well within my skillset to try hitting the Delete key before posting here. Unfortunately, making that part of the text bold in your post didn't help either.

You cannot remove the Sync Partnership by hitting Delete, by removing the actual files, by adding FormatDatabase in the NetCache section of the registry, or by deleting the contents of the Windows\CSC folder. Those last two were found on many many sites where people are trying to fix the same problem.

Whats most concerning is the fact that this statement...

"Some sync partnerships might not offer an option to delete the partnership. If they don't have this option, try opening the program or location where you set up the sync partnership to see if you can turn it off or delete it using that program or location."

...actually exists in the FAQ. What does it mean by 'TRY'. It implies that some Syncs can't be deleted and you may not be able to remove it from the actual folder?

Do you have any more suggestions?

Kind Regards

Vic

Hello Vic Tabram,

Thank you for posting to the Microsoft Answers Forum.

If yu can't delete the sync partnership from the Gui, you need to do it manually.

Go to C:\Windows\CSC\v2.0.6\namespace

and then delete the server or folder that you want to remove from the partnership, and reboot.

It's possible that you have to take ownership of certain folder.

Ex: to take ownership of the folder CSC

- right click the CSC folder, chick properties.
- click security
- advanced
- owner
- edit
- select or add your username to the list
- put a check mark in "REplace owner on ..."
- OK

Do this for the folder that you are not allowed to see.

However, removing the partnership manally may prevent offline folders from working.
You can get it to work again by restoring the permissions on folder
c:\windows\CSC to its original settings: 

Go to the permission tab and make sure the  checkbox -include "inheritable permissions from this object's parent"-
is checked. Then reboot and verify the permissions are correct.

Offline folders will now work again.

Thanks,

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Marilyn
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
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Hello Vic Tabram,

Sorry you have had so much trouble trying to fix this issue.

I would suggest you send feedback at the link here so developers can know of the problems you are experiencing.
They will be able to determine if it is a bug and hopefully make some changes.

Thanks for your followup.


Sincerely,

---

Marilyn
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

Thanks Marilyn. Will do.

All,

any update on this? I am stuck with the same problem.  However when I try to remove the files under \CSC\v2.0.6\namespace it say I do not have rights (I am admin though), so I try to change ownership, but it fails to complete and thus can't remove it.

Olivier

Same problem here. Even though this is for home use, the fact that you can't even remove faulty sync relationships calls for a bug fix.

I solved the problem by deleting the items in CSC\namespace. What the MS engineers have failed to indicate is that you have to Disable Offline Files first.

Go to Sync Centre and select Manage Offline Files on the left. Select the Disable Offline Files button and reboot.

You will now be able to reset the permissions on the CSC and sub-folders. You can then delete the partnerships.

Cheers

I disabled the offline files first and it worked like a charm. Thank you Cymel.