DFS Referral Cache Is Invalid and Not Automatically Refreshing

George Perkins 10 Reputation points
2023-05-18T15:52:22.1133333+00:00

After updating existing DFS-N target folders, clients (Win10, Win2019, etc.) with existing cache DFS-N referral gives ‘Element Not Found’ (in File Explorer GUI) or ‘Cannot find path ... because it does not exist’ (in CLI) errors.

Upon investigation, finding DFS-N referral cache entry listed as 'Type: 0x10 ( OUTSIDE_MY_DOM )' but Expires is not honored and entry is stuck in local cache. The entry is a DFS-N domain path entry, the cached result is incorrect.

Work-around: Only restarting the client, or installing RSAT DFS Management tools (DFSUTIL) can flush the referral cache. Because DFSUTIL is not something that can be remotely executed, there is no solution without touching the client to install the utility.

Updated DFS-N target folder

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 Client referral cache contents

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Client error message

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Recovery step 1. Delete original DFS-N target folder, re-create a new target to eliminate the false ‘Type:0x10’ ‘( OUTSIDE_MY_DOM )’ error condition.

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 Recovery Step 2. Restart Client. Or Use Recovery Procedure 3.

 

Recovery Step 3a. Add RSAT DFSUTIL to client.

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Recovery Step 3b. DFSUTIL cache referral flush.

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P.S. I originally asked this here: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-files/dfs-referral-cache-is-invalid-and-not/d494e479-062e-468b-b7b6-bd82cd8e9fe0?messageId=e61f1889-bce5-4db0-a269-587024859c2d

Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. Limitless Technology 43,926 Reputation points
    2023-05-19T11:04:58.21+00:00

    Hello George,

    Thank you for your question and for reaching out with your question today.

    There doesn't appear to be a specific KB that addresses this particular issue. Is your system fully up to date with all KBs available? Also, is your network interface up to date? There is no other way to clear out the DFS Cache without DFSUTIL.exe.

    If the reply was helpful, please don’t forget to upvote or accept as answer.

    Best regards.