Open with Explorer now requires sync

Question

Open with Explorer now requires sync

john chendorain 60

It looks like the March 2023 2016 server update. https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/march-14-2023-kb5023697-os-build-14393-5786-d8c0d93c-c58b-4398-9fee-59183e52b20c Is causing an issue within SP 2016 whereas users are required to sync content when attemping use the "Open with Explorer" feature. Is this statement valid? If so is there a work around? Thank you

Xyza Xue_MSFT 30,176 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-04-12T06:54:37.8166667+00:00

Thank you for your question.

We are currently looking into this issue and will give you an update as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

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Xyza Xue_MSFT 30,176 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-04-12T06:54:37.8166667+00:00

Thank you for your question.

We are currently looking into this issue and will give you an update as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Answer 1

Xyza Xue_MSFT 30,176 Microsoft External Staff

Hi @john chendorain ,

That’s because the WebClient windows service (responsible for the “translation” into Explorer mode) is by default not installed with the Windows Server 2016 OS.

This time (in case of Windows Server 2016), in order to get the WebClient windows service you need to activate the “WebDAV Redirector” feature.

Go to Server Manager, and install WebDAV Redirector feature.

After you finished the installation, You can re try "Open with Explorer". In my environment , it works fine. And I found an article for your reference:

https://spgeeks.devoworx.com/were-having-a-problem-opening-this-location-in-file-explorer-add-this-web-site-to-your-trusted-sites-list-and-try-again/#open-with-explorer-in-sharepoint-2016

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john chendorain 60 Reputation points

2023-04-13T19:03:51.3033333+00:00

So the Terminal servers our staff use have IE disabled. So I tested the feature installation and the service start on one of my SP 2016 servers and the open with explorer did open a window bypassing the sync issue. However for libraries no content was displayed, the folder was empty. I could not modify the server IE version as all security settings are locked down by GPO. I cant see the settings in EDGE, so I guess my next question is what has to changed within EDGE's security settings fo this correct the issue? Thanks
Yanli Jiang - MSFT 31,606 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-04-14T07:36:18.5233333+00:00

Hi @john chendorain , Open with Explorer (also known as View in File Explorer) is only supported in Internet Explorer 11. We recommend that instead you use the Sync feature because it provides access to your files through File Explorer and offers better performance without limiting you to the Internet Explorer browser. See Sync files with your computer for instructions (or, if your organization uses SharePoint Server 2016 or earlier, see Sync SharePoint files.) If you prefer to use Open with Explorer instead of Sync, you need to run Internet Explorer 11. As for your internal policy restrictions, you can contact internal personnel to resolve them. Thank you for your support and understanding!
john chendorain 60 Reputation points

2023-04-15T10:41:01.47+00:00

So on these 2016 windows servers set as terminal servers with EDGE installed and security controls relaxed the feature and service did the trick. Thanks so much for the assistance

Answer 2

The SP sync to File Explorer is a hot mess that creates duplicate files and has sync issues. Nothing but success with the "View In File Explorer" in IE. Bring back the old way.

@Xyza Xue_MSFT will the steps you suggest work in an environment where Edge is the go to browser? I am knowledge users that would need to be able to convince those that manage security and SP to make the updates - any tips that might assist with that?
@Yanli Jiang - MSFT - Where can I lobby MS to bring back what worked well?

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Open with Explorer now requires sync

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