Manage a user's Sync files

A person’s Sync tab in the console shows the state of their Outpost Sync folder: whether it is on, how full it is, and which computers have it. With the right permissions, you can also browse the folder and put back a previous version of a file, or a file they deleted. Use it when someone asks for a file back, or when their folder stops syncing.

Before you begin

• To see the Sync tab, you need sync:read. The Owner, Support Manager, and Field Technician roles hold it.
• To see the file list, version history, and recycle bin, you need sync:files. Only the owner holds it among the built-in roles, because the list shows the names of the person’s documents.
• To restore anything, you need sync:manage. Only the owner holds it among the built-in roles.
• On the MSP plan, open the client’s workspace first.

A restore changes the person’s files on every computer they use, within about a minute of each computer being online. Tell the person before you restore over a file they may be working on.

Open the person’s Sync tab

1. Go to Users > All users and open the person.
2. Select the Sync tab.

The Outpost Sync card shows:

• On or Off, and which profile decided it, such as set on this person, set on a group they are in, or set for everyone. Not set by any profile (catalog default) means no profile has turned it on.
• Storage used against the quota, and how much previous versions and the recycle bin take. Both count toward the quota.
• Files, Where it is stored, History kept, Upload limit, and On a metered connection.

The Devices card lists each computer that carries the folder, with Last synced, and either Up to date or how many changes it is behind.

If the folder is at its quota, the card says so. The person’s computers pause uploading until there is room.

Browse the folder

The Files card lists the folder, starting at Sync folder. Select a folder’s name to open it, and use the path at the top to go back up. Each file shows its Size, Version number, and when it Changed.

A folder with very many entries shows Showing the first entries in this folder only.

Restore a previous version

1. In Files, select History on the file.
2. Previous versions of the file lists each earlier version with its Version number, Size, and when it was Saved.
3. Select Restore on the version you want.

The version you restore becomes the current contents. The contents it replaces become the newest entry in the history, so nothing is lost either way.

Restore a deleted file

1. In the Recycle bin card, find the file by Name, Path, or when it was Deleted.
2. Select Restore.

The file goes back to the path it had. If the folder it was in is also in the recycle bin, restore the folder first. If another file has taken its path, rename that file first.

Deleted files stay in the recycle bin until retention removes them, 30 days by default. After that, they cannot be restored from Outpost Sync.

Verify

• The restored version shows as the current Version in Files, or the restored file is back in Files and gone from Recycle bin.
• The person’s computers show the file within about a minute of being online, and each is listed as Up to date under Devices.
• The restore is recorded in the audit log, without the file’s name.

See Sync usage across the client

Reports > All reports > Outpost Sync usage lists everyone with a Sync folder: Person, Used, Quota, Files, Machines, and Last synced, with totals and a chart of storage used per person. It shows who is close to their quota without showing any file names, so it needs only sync:read. Select Download PDF for a copy.

If something goes wrong

Symptom	Cause	Fix
Your account cannot see Outpost Sync.	You lack sync:read.	Ask an owner for the permission.
The Files card says your account lacks sync:files	Browsing the folder needs sync:files.	Ask an owner for it, or ask the person which file they need.
No Restore buttons	You lack sync:manage.	Ask an owner to restore the file.
That file cannot go back where it was	Another file has the same path, or the folder it was in is also in the recycle bin.	Rename the other file, or restore the folder first.
This person’s Outpost Sync folder is at its quota	Restoring would take the folder over its quota.	Raise sync.quota_bytes for the person, then restore.
A computer stays many changes behind	It is offline, paused, or on a metered connection with metered syncing off.	Check the Sync view in the tray app on that computer.

Next steps

• Set up Outpost Sync
• Outpost Sync policy settings