Manage the Lite Sync option in kDrive (Windows)

This guide details the Lite Sync option of the kDrive app on Windows computers.

What is the Lite Sync option?

The Lite Sync feature saves space by virtually storing your kDrive files on your computer, only downloading them when needed.

Files are always accessible from the web version of kDrive (Infomaniak server) and locally, they are present but "dehydrated," requiring a loading time to be fully accessible. This allows you to view, edit, and synchronize kDrive content without filling up the hard drive.

Example of use #1 (required storage space)

If you enable Lite Sync, the occupied space (e.g., 900 GB) on the Infomaniak server side will be freed up on your hard drive, but the reverse is also true (e.g., 900 GB free space required on your hard drive if Lite Sync is activated mid-process).

"Dehydration" of files

As explained earlier, a dehydrated file is a kDrive file whose full version is not present on the hard drive; instead, a 1 KB "shortcut" is displayed, which is normal behavior when Lite Sync is activated.

In some cases (e.g., if you copy files from your hard drive while Lite Sync is activated and then start a synchronization to a new kDrive), the application will block the import of this type of file. To resolve these errors, you can download the complete file from the online version kdrive.infomaniak.com.

Prerequisites & scope of Lite Sync usage

• Windows OS version ≥ 10 (21h2) — not available with Linux
• 64-bit processor (ARM64 compatible)
• NTFS file storage system
• kDrive Windows app version ≥ 3.4

The Lite Sync option always acts:

• on a specific kDrive (in case you synchronize multiple kDrives on the application)
• and on the entirety of the kDrive (or the entirety of an advanced synchronization)
• and through a specific kDrive application (another user of the same kDrive may make a different Lite Sync choice)

Enable the Lite Sync option

The Lite Sync option can be enabled during the application installation (you will be prompted) or later:

1. left-click on the app icon in the notification area of your computer (bottom right on Windows)
2. click on the action menu ⋮ to the right of the kDrive window
3. select kDrive Settings
4. click the button in the Synchronization section to enable Lite Sync

The cloud icon will appear to the right of a sync name in the application, indicating that Lite Sync is enabled. If the crossed-out cloud icon is displayed, it means that Lite Sync is not enabled:

Always keep on this device

Once Lite Sync is enabled, you can still make a folder and its subfolders or only one or more subfolders available locally.

1. from the Windows File Explorer, right-click on a folder synchronized with kDrive
2. select the option Always keep on this device under kDrive
   

Free up space

Conversely, once Lite Sync is enabled, you can free up space in a folder and its subfolders or only in one or more subfolders.

1. from the Windows File Explorer, right-click on a folder synchronized with kDrive
2. select the option Free up space under kDrive
   

Example of use #2 (summary of icons)

Files from the hard drive synchronized with the Lite Sync option, everything is in the cloud (on your remote kDrive online):

Disabling the LiteSync option, the "physical" synchronization begins:

Sync completed, files have been downloaded to your computer and now have the appropriate icon:



To summarize, here are the status icons used in your Windows File Explorer:

Status Icons	Files	Folders
= online	The file exists on kDrive online and is only virtually on your hard drive; to view it locally, it must be downloaded	The folder contains at least one file or subfolder not physically present
= offline	Lite Sync is not working correctly (contact support)	Lite Sync is not working correctly (contact support)
= always available	The file exists on kDrive online and is also physically on your hard drive	The folder contains only files and subfolders without Lite Sync
= available on this device	The file exists on kDrive online and is only virtually on your hard drive for reasons decided by Windows (e.g., lack of space)	The folder contains local and temporary files and subfolders
= synchronization	Synchronization is in progress or pending	Synchronization is in progress or pending
= downloading in progress	The progress bar indicates a download in progress	The progress bar indicates a download in progress

Disable the Lite Sync option

To do this:

1. left-click on the app icon in the notification area of your computer (bottom right on Windows)
2. click on the action menu ⋮ to the right of the kDrive window
3. select kDrive Settings
4. click the button in the Synchronization section to disable Lite Sync
5. two scenarios may occur:
   1. if there is enough space on your computer, a message confirming the deactivation will appear, just click Continue
   2. if there is not enough space on your computer, a message will indicate the missing space to allow Lite Sync deactivation; the synchronization of your kDrive will be paused while selecting the files to synchronize on your computer