Abandon Sync Copies

When you need to make changes to a SmartSync parent file, you are often required to synchronize and delete all sync copies first. In some situations, such as users being offline or workstations being decommissioned, sync copies can become lost or inaccessible, preventing you from modifying the parent file.

To bypass this problem, you can abandon these inaccessible sync copies. Abandoned sync copies will no longer be able to synchronize with the parent file unless they are reconnected.

To abandon sync copies:

  1. Open a sync copy that is connected to the parent file.
  2. Perform a Lock Down (Engagement | Lock Down), Cleanup (Engagement | Clean Up), or Maintenance (Tools | Maintenance) on the file.
  3. In the Wizard, select Abandon Outstanding Synchronized Copies.
  4. Complete the Wizard as required.

The inaccessible sync copies are abandoned. You can now modify the parent file.

Notes:

  • We suggest abandoning sync copies prior to finalizing a Working Papers file.
  • If you open an abandoned sync copy, it will attempt to locate the original parent file. If a parent file is found, ensure it is the original parent file before attempting to reconnect. If a different parent file is found, we strongly suggest you do not connect to it, as it can result in significant synchronization conflicts.
  • If your organization utilizes CaseWare Tracker, you can abandon sync copies from the Tracker interface.

Clear Synchronization Information

After deleting and abandoning all remaining sync copies, you can clear the synchronization information from the parent file. Clearing synchronization information deletes the _Sync folder and all of its contents from the Working Papers directory, returning the parent file to a non-sync state.

Returning a SmartSync file to a non-sync state is primarily useful when making changes to the parent file or providing the file to users who do not have the SmartSync application.

To clear synchronization information:

  1. Open the parent file in Working Papers.
  2. On the ribbon, click SmartSync | Clear Information.
  3. In the confirmation dialog, click Yes.

The synchronization information is cleared from the parent file. The file is no longer a SmartSync file.