Requesting synchronization control in a SharePoint Files tool

If your workspace role is participant or manager, you can request synchronization control in a SharePoint Files tool. You might make this request for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, synchronization control is passed only in cases in which the current synchronizer will be unable to initiate or manage the schedule for synchronization for an extended period of time. It is generally not good practice to request synchronization control if you are not planning to take on this responsibility for an ongoing period. Instead, if you have an immediate need data to be synchronized, it is best to ask the synchronizer to initiate a manual synchronization.

Note: For emergency situations, workspace managers can take over as synchronizer without making a request.

Requesting synchronization control

To request synchronization control:

1. On the Home tab, click the Sync button, and then click Synchronize Now.

   A message window displays with information about synchronizer credentials. Specifically, you should make this request only if you have direct access to the SharePoint site on a high speed network. If you don't have direct access to the SharePoint site, you will be unable to run synchronizations. It's also important to recognize that you're assuming a responsibility, and that other members of the workspace will subsequently depend on you to run frequent synchronizations.

2. Click OK.

   SharePoint Workspace sends a message to the current synchronizer requesting synchronization control. If the current synchronizer approves your request, you will become the synchronizer.

Taking over as synchronizer without sending a request

To take over as synchronizer without making a request:

1. On the Home tab, click the Sync button, and then click Synchronize Now.

2. Click More.

3. Check Take synchronization control now without sending a request.

   Note: This option displays only for workspace managers.

Requesting synchronization control from another computer

If you use your account on more than one computer, you can request synchronization control from whichever computer currently has it.

On the Home tab, click the Sync button, and then click Synchronize Now. A message window displays warning you that switching synchronization control to this computer might take some time. This is because the act of switching computers requires a full synchronization between the SharePoint Files tool and the SharePoint site. If you choose to continue, the current computer is immediately granted synchronization control.