Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sharing items and viewing shared items in an operating system. A user may initiate a search that executes a query on the file system, returning a list of items owned by the user and shared out to other users. In order to increase efficiency and usability of such a query, an index may be created based on the owner and user permissions of the items in the file system. A user interface integrated into the operating system may display the shared items in a single flat list, or search folder, regardless of the various physical locations of the items on the system.

Abstract: The arrival of a new media volume or newly attached device is detected. The media or device is scanned in order to determine the type, and a complete list of installed software programs registered to handle the media type or device is presented to the user. This list may be generated and displayed while the disk is still being scanned. The user selects a handler for the media type or device, and may also decide if the handler will be the default handler when media type or device is subsequently encountered. The user may check and update the stored user settings to view or edit the default handlers for any media type or device. Additionally, the user is prompted to confirm or change the default handler after another registered handler of that media type has recently been installed on the machine.

Abstract: A platform supports an unmanaged secured workgroup, without a server, for common user access and secure resource sharing among the computers in the group. User accounts are synchronized by replicating and modifying the accounts at each computer of the unmanaged secured workgroup. A computer advertises a change in account information to other computers in an unmanaged secured workgroup. If one of computers in the unmanaged secured workgroup determines that the change is not reflected in the current account information, the computer requests the updated account information from the advertising computer. Any conflicts between user accounts at different computers are resolved before synchronizing the user account in the unmanaged secured workgroup. Also, an application program interface (API) enables an application to query properties of a networked computer system and an unmanaged secured workgroup and to join the unmanaged secured workgroup.

Abstract: A host computer system obtains a request for an aggregated view of content in a computer network corresponding to a criterion. The host computer system queries networked computer systems to identify data objects according to the criterion. Each responding computer system provides an identification set of specified data objects that are stored at the responding computer to the host computer systems. The host computer system merges the identification sets to form the aggregated view of content to a user. If a specified data object is replicated to networked computers, the host computer system provides one instance of the specified data object in the query result. Consequently, concurrent utilization of file synchronization and the aggregated view of data objects are facilitated. If a specified data object is stored at the host computer system, the host computer system blocks querying of networked computers about the specified data object.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for presenting a centralized display that allows a user to quickly and easily manage user or application initiated sync operations for multiple devices. The invention may also provide a layered sync display, in which each layer presents a user with successively more information, including information about the event that occurred during the sync operations. The layered sync display ensures that a user is not presented with extraneous information, which simplifies management of the sync operations and allows user to perform other tasks during the sync operations. In implementations of the present invention, the sync operations may occur without user input, so that the user may continue working on other tasks while a sync operation takes place. The user may elect to enter input, to resolve conflicts, for instance, or other input requested by the sync operation, later when that is convenient for the user.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing conflict resolution in a sync manager. In case of a conflict, the sync operation creates and stores a conflict object, and resumes the sync operation without requiring user input. The sync operation can thus be completed without user input and the user may choose to resolve outstanding conflicts, either on-line or off-line, at a convenient time. Furthermore, the invention provides a platform for developing standardized, user-friendly sync operations. In addition, the invention presents a centralized location that allows a user to quickly and easily resolve conflicts originating from many devices.

Abstract: A system and related techniques provide a seamless, peer-to-peer file synchronization capability for sharing files, folders, directories or other stored content between machines. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, a sync engine or other file management logic may be integrated into the operating system or other resources of a user's desktop, laptop, network-enabled cellular device or other computer, client, machine or other hardware. The sync engine may accept user designations of files, folders, directories or other contents which they wish to share, sync or roam between two or more selected machines, on an automatically consistent basis. The sync engine or other control logic may maintain a file system log to record the state of files which have been designated for sharing, to indicate for example whether a transmission of the file has been made, to which target machine or machines it has been transmitted, and other variables regarding the state of file or other content.

Abstract: A method and data structure for creating and accessing folders stored in well known locations. The data structure and method utilizes a set of APIs to create and manage well known folders on a system and/or to locate specific well known folders. The invention provides interfaces to create, locate, extend, and enumerate well known folders. In addition, the invention allows a developer and/or user to customize properties of well known folders.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for presenting a centralized display that allows a user to quickly and easily manage sync operations for multiple devices. The invention may also provide a layered sync display, in which each layer presents a user with successively more information. The layered sync display may ensure that a user is not presented with extraneous information, which simplifies management of sync operations and allows user to perform other tasks during sync operations. In implementations of the present invention, sync operations may occur without user input, so that the user may continue working on other tasks while a sync operation is taking place. The user may elect to enter input, such as input used to resolve conflicts or other input requested by the sync operation, at a later time that is convenient for the user.

Abstract: A method and data structure for separating application data from user data in a namespace. The data structure provides an intuitive profile layout for developers or users while supporting legacy applications. The namespace utilizes a hierarchical structure allowing access by developers or users over a network to information contained in identified public folders and/or a user's profile.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a system and method for managing and evicting objects stored in a cache. The invention provides a mechanism for determining which objects to evict based on a weight that is calculated for each object stored in the cache. The weight is determined by at least two factors, including file size, file type, primary user, last access time, and the like, and by the relative importance of each of the factors. The weight for each object may be determined autonomously and/or may be determined upon a trigger event. The factors and their relative importance may be obtained from a policy applicable to one or several computers.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a consistent user name-space on networked computing devices is provided. When a network connection between a local or host computing device and one or more remote computing devices is present, remote items are represented using the same methodology as items located on the host computing device. To the user, remote and local items are indistinguishable. When the network connection is lost or items located on a remote computer are otherwise unavailable, the unavailable items remain represented on the host computing device. Unavailable items are represented in a way that informs the user that the items may not be fully accessed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel client side caching (CSC) infrastructure that supports transition states at the directory level to facilitate a seamless operation across connectivity states between client and remote server. More specifically, persistent caching is performed to safeguard the user (e.g., client) and/or the client applications across connectivity interruptions and/or bandwidth changes. This is accomplished in part by caching to a client data store the desirable file(s) together with the appropriate file access parameters. Moreover, the client maintains access to cached files during periods of disconnect. Furthermore, portions of a path can be offline while other portions upstream can remain online. CSC operates on the logical path which cooperates with DFS which operates on the physical path to keep track of files cached, accessed and changes in the directories. In addition, truth on the client is facilitated whether or not a conflict of file copies exists.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel client side caching (CSC) infrastructure that supports transition states at the directory level to facilitate a seamless operation across connectivity states between client and remote server. More specifically, persistent caching is performed to safeguard the user (e.g., client) and/or the client applications across connectivity interruptions and/or bandwidth changes. This is accomplished in part by caching to a client data store the desirable file(s) together with the appropriate file access parameters. Moreover, the client maintains access to cached files during periods of disconnect. Furthermore, portions of a path can be offline while other portions upstream can remain online. CSC operates on the logical path which cooperates with DFS which operates on the physical path to keep track of files cached, accessed and changes in the directories. In addition, truth on the client is facilitated whether or not a conflict of file copies exists.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel client side caching (CSC) infrastructure that supports transition states at the directory level to facilitate a seamless operation across connectivity states between client and remote server. More specifically, persistent caching is performed to safeguard the user (e.g., client) and/or the client applications across connectivity interruptions and/or bandwidth changes. This is accomplished in part by caching to a client data store the desirable file(s) together with the appropriate file access parameters. Moreover, the client maintains access to cached files during periods of disconnect. Furthermore, portions of a path can be offline while other portions upstream can remain online. CSC operates on the logical path which cooperates with DFS which operates on the physical path to keep track of files cached, accessed and changes in the directories. In addition, truth on the client is facilitated whether or not a conflict of file copies exists.

Abstract: A system and method for generating aggregated content views in a computing network are provided. A host computing device obtains a request for an aggregated view of content corresponding to a set of criteria. The host computing device queries itself and each computing device in a defined network for locally stored content matching the set of criteria. The query results are merged and displayed to a user at the host computing device as an aggregated list view.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a system and method for managing and evicting objects stored in a cache. The invention provides a mechanism for determining which objects to evict based on a weight that is calculated for each object stored in the cache. The weight is determined by at least two factors, including file size, file type, primary user, last access time, and the like, and by the relative importance of each of the factors. The weight for each object may be determined autonomously and/or may be determined upon a trigger event. The factors and their relative importance may be obtained from a policy applicable to one or several computers.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing items. A sharer may choose to share individual items, such as documents, contacts, and e-mails. To begin the sharing process, a user selects the items that are to be shared. The user then selects the sharees who the items are to be shared with, and the permissions that are to be assigned to the sharees. When items are to be shared, they are left in place on the sharer's machine, while the system ensures that the permissions are set, and any security issues are handled so that the sharees are able to access the items. In addition, the details of the sharing transactions may be tracked and recorded for later review. The sharer may also have the system send a link to the sharee for directly accessing the shared items from the sharer's machine. The sharee may also be able to query the sharer's machine to see what the sharer has shared out with the sharee.

Abstract: A system and method for virtual folder sharing, including utilization of static and dynamic lists. Static and dynamic lists may be created as types of virtual folders. Virtual folders expose regular files and folders to users in different views based on their metadata instead of the actual physical underlying file system structure on the disk. A static list consists of a folder of items that are in a specific order, while a dynamic list gathers a set of items based on a scope and a set of criteria. When a list is shared, the actual list is left in place on the sharer's machine or server, while permission is granted to the sharee to remotely access the list and the referenced items. If the list is changed by adding or removing items, these items are also automatically re-permissioned to allow or disallow the sharee to have access to the items.