What is Adaptive Block Caching (ABC)?
What problem does ABC solve, and who is it for?
How is Adaptive Block Caching (ABC) different from Smart Cache and the classic Desktop App?
If a user was just added to the Egnyte ABC Users group, do they need to wait 15 minutes, or can they get access sooner?
Can one use ABC for one drive and the classic Desktop App for another drive on the same domain?
Do the users need to remap their drive or access files differently when ABC is enabled?
Which types of files and applications work best with ABC?
Where is the ABC cache stored, and how can a user manage its size?
What is pre-caching (cachewarming) and how does it help?
How does ABC work when a user is offline or on a metered network?
How does ABC keep the data secure and support remote wipe?
Does the right-click menu work differently in ABC compared to Classic?
Can a user still use co-editing and cloud integrations with ABC?
How can a user send logs to Egnyte Support for ABC issues?
What is Adaptive Block Caching (ABC)?
Adaptive Block Caching (ABC) is Egnyte’s next-generation performance feature built into the Desktop App. It helps the users open, edit, and save large files faster by storing only the parts of a file they are actively using on their computer.
Instead of downloading an entire file before they can work, ABC downloads small sections as needed. As the users scroll, zoom, or scrub through a file, more data is fetched automatically in the background. When a file is saved, only the changes are uploaded. This means:
- Faster opening of the files
- Shorter save times
- Less waiting on slow networks
- Smoother day-to-day work with large files
All of this happens automatically and there is no special setup or manual file management required.
- The feature is currently available only for Windows.
- ABC is under Limited Availability for domains with the Specialized File Handler add-on or on the new AEC plans (AEC Essentials, AEC Elite, AEC Ultimate). To enable this feature, contact our Products team.
What problem does ABC solve, and who is it for?
ABC is designed for people who regularly work with large or complex files, such as:
- CAD drawings and BIM models
- Large PDFs and technical documents
- Spreadsheets with heavy data and formulas
- 3D renderings and design files
- High-resolution video and media projects
These files are often slow to open, hard to sync, and can cause apps to freeze or lag, especially when they include linked files, references, or multiple embedded assets. Without ABC, users usually have to download and upload entire files, which takes longer and uses more bandwidth. It also increases the risk of delays and conflicts and can slow down the system.
With ABC, Egnyte only transfers what’s needed and when it’s needed. This reduces system strain, improves responsiveness, and makes it easier for teams to collaborate on large projects without interruptions. As a result, users can focus on their work instead of waiting for files to load or sync.
How is Adaptive Block Caching (ABC) different from Smart Cache and the classic Desktop App?
Egnyte offers three ways to access files, each designed for different performance needs:
- Classic Desktop App downloads the full file when the users open it and uploads the full file when they save. This works well for small files, but can be slow for large CAD, design, or video files.
- Smart Cache stores files on a shared local server or device for a team. It improves performance at an office location, but requires IT setup and maintenance.
- Adaptive Block Caching (ABC) delivers high performance directly on the user’s system. It downloads and uploads only the parts of a file they are working on, without needing any local server or special setup.
In short, ABC gives Smart Cache–level performance on the user's own laptop or workstation, with no additional infrastructure required.
If a user was just added to the Egnyte ABC Users group, do they need to wait 15 minutes, or can they get access sooner?
When a user is added to the Egnyte ABC Users group, the change needs time to sync across Egnyte’s systems. This can take up to 15 minutes before it reaches the device.
Users don’t always have to wait for the full delay. Restarting the Desktop App forces it to refresh the settings and often applies ABC access immediately. If ABC still doesn’t appear after restarting, wait a few more minutes and try again or contact the administrator.
Can one use ABC for one drive and the classic Desktop App for another drive on the same domain?
No. For a given domain on a device, all mounted drives must use the same mode, either ABC or classic. Mixing modes within the same domain is not supported.
If the users connect to different domains, those can run in different modes. For example, one domain can use ABC while another uses the classic experience.
Do the users need to remap their drive or access files differently when ABC is enabled?
No. When ABC is enabled, users don’t need to remap their drive, add it again, or change how they access the files.
The existing drives are automatically upgraded to ABC mode the next time they restart the Desktop App. The users will continue to see the same drive letters, folders, and files in File Explorer or Finder, and will work with them as usual. Nothing changes in how the users open, edit, or save files. Behind the scenes, Egnyte switches to a faster, more efficient way of syncing the data.
Which types of files and applications work best with ABC?
ABC works best with large and complex files that are slow to download and upload using traditional syncing. Users will see the biggest benefits when working with:
- Large CAD and engineering files (for example, AutoCAD and Civil 3D projects with external references)
- BIM models and design files
- High-resolution media and video files
- Large technical documents and datasets
These files often contain many linked parts and can be several gigabytes in size. ABC helps by loading and saving only what the user is actively working on, making everyday tasks faster and smoother. ABC is optimized for files larger than 1 GB and supports individual files up to 250 GB. It performs especially well on projects with large base files, many linked files, and multiple collaborators. Smaller files and everyday applications also work normally. Users can open and edit them as usual.
Where is the ABC cache stored, and how can a user manage its size?
When a user sets up ABC, they can choose where the cache is stored and how much disk space it can use. The cache is stored on an internal drive on the user’s computer.
On Windows, it is typically located at: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Egnyte Connect\sc_cache\<domain>
Users can set how much space ABC can use:
- Minimum: 8 GB
- Default: 50 GB
- Maximum: Up to 90% of the drive’s capacity
ABC manages this space automatically. When the cache reaches its limit, it removes older, less-used data so the active files stay available. Cached files are marked with a visual indicator (such as a green checkmark) in File Explorer, so the users can easily see which files are available locally and which are only in the cloud. Folders do not show any indicator
Once a user selects a cache location, it stays the same for that device. To change it later, they will need to remove and re-add the ABC drives.
What is pre-caching (cachewarming) and how does it help?
Cachewarming (or pre-caching) is a way to tell ABC to download the content ahead of time because a user may need it soon.
It’s especially useful for engineers and designers who know which project folders they’ll work on the next day. Users can right-click a file or folder → Egnyte Actions → Add to Cache. This command pre-downloads those files into the local cache, making them instantly available even when offline or on a slow connection.
Pre-cached files aren’t pinned permanently. They can be evicted when new files are cached and space is needed. However, these are visually marked with the same icon used for Sync for offline access in Classic mode.
Users can re-run the command anytime because cached content can be evicted at any moment depending on usage.
How does ABC work when a user is offline or on a metered network?
When a user is offline, ABC drives are not accessible, and they won’t be able to open files until the internet connection is restored.
Any files that were previously cached locally remain on the device, but ABC currently requires an active connection to access and sync drives.
For metered or limited networks, ABC does not automatically adjust its behavior yet. Unlike the classic Desktop App, which could switch to offline mode automatically, ABC relies on the user to decide when to disable syncing or limit usage.
The Offline Folders options may still appear in the app, but they show a message indicating that offline access is not currently supported in ABC mode.
If the users expect to work with limited connectivity, it’s recommended to pre-cache important files in advance and ensure that they have a stable connection when using ABC.
How does ABC keep the data secure and support remote wipe?
ABC follows the same enterprise-grade security standards as the rest of Egnyte, even though some data is stored locally for performance.
If the user’s access is removed or if the device is no longer authorized, the Desktop App immediately disconnects the drives and signs out the user. They will see a message asking to re-authenticate.
For higher-security situations, administrators can trigger a remote wipe. This automatically unmounts the drives and permanently deletes all cached files from the device, ensuring that company data cannot be accessed offline. These protections help keep the data secure, even if a device is lost, stolen, or access is revoked.
Does the right-click menu work differently in ABC compared to Classic?
ABC supports the same Egnyte right-click (context menu) actions as the classic Desktop App, including options like Share, View Online, and other integrations.
The difference is that ABC adjusts the menu dynamically based on the file’s state. If a file is fully synced and available in the cloud, all cloud actions appear normally. If a file hasn’t synced yet, certain options (like sharing) may be disabled or show an informational message.
This helps prevent broken links or actions that wouldn’t work yet.
Can a user still use co-editing and cloud integrations with ABC?
Yes. ABC fully supports co-editing and cloud integrations such as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Even though files may be cached locally for performance, they still behave like cloud files when it comes to collaboration. Users can:
- Co-edit Excel, Word, or Google Docs
- Share files
- Use integrations like Slack or e-signature tools
- ABC ensures the file is fully uploaded, unlocked, and that the users have the right permissions before starting a collaboration session.
- If something isn’t ready, for example, the file is still uploading or is locked by someone else, the users will see a clear message explaining why the action can’t proceed.
How can a user send logs to Egnyte Support for ABC issues?
Log collection works the same way as in the classic Desktop App. To send logs:
- Open the Egnyte Desktop App
- Go to Settings → Help → Contact Support
This securely sends diagnostic information to the Support team so they can investigate the issue.
Additional Resources
Adaptive Block Caching Overview
Adaptive Block Caching User Guide