If you have a typical home network, you probably have a desktop PC and a laptop (maybe even a netbook).  The laptop probably connects wirelessly to your network and you may use it to access files on your desktop from time to time.  A scenario that you may run into is one where you either travel and have files you work on with the laptop that  you need to access from the desktop, or vice versa.  3rd party software, or a tool like Synctoy (from the MS powertoys), allow you to do so, but setup can be cumbersome, and then automating the process requires more work.  Windows XP contained a built in “Offline files utility” which was rough around the edges and required some setup.  Fortunately for Windows Vista/7 users, Offline file sync has been simplified.

The process is pretty transparent to the user.  Rather than any additional setup, you simply browse the folder you want to access over the network, then right click the folder and select “Make Available Offline”.  The Windows Sync center (that’s right, the same one that syncs your Windows Mobile devices), then takes over the process and does its best to make a local copy of the files annd keep it synchronized with the remote copy when it is available.  It’s that simple.  So instead of having to purchase, install and configure third party software, you can sync your files with a few clicks.  Now when you leave your network with your laptop, the folders and files are still there.