Disconnecting From Source Control—Team Foundation Server

There may be times that you need to disconnect from source control to work offline. You can disconnect from Microsoft Team Foundation Server and reconnect at any time.

Disconnecting from source control is beneficial because it lets you modify files when you would otherwise not have access to the source control system (e.g., you are out of the office with your laptop or you do not want to access source control over VPN). It also provides a fallback offline status in the event that the network is disconnected while you are working, so you are able to continue working on the files you have checked out until the network connection is restored.

How to Disconnect From TFS

When you want to work offline, you can disconnect from source control.

  1. Check out the files you will need to work on while disconnected. See Checking Out Source Control Files—Team Foundation Server.

  2. Do one of the following, depending on the part of the user interface you are using:

    • Ribbon Select Source Control > Disconnect.

    • Right-Click If you have the Content Explorer, Project Organizer, Pending Changes window pane, or File List open, right-click on any file and select Source Control > Project > Disconnect.
  3. A confirmation dialog appears. Click Yes. You will be disconnected from source control.

Note When you disconnect from source control, you are not able to see the source control status of files or access source control functions.

Note If you attempt to modify a file that is not checked out, you will receive an error when you try to save the file. To avoid this, be sure you have all necessary files checked out before disconnecting from source control.

Note If you make a change to a file’s properties (e.g., delete, rename) while disconnected from source control, your changes may not be preserved when you reconnect to the network. To prevent errors, it is recommended that you do not make these kinds of changes until you reconnect to source control.

How to Reconnect to TFS

When you are finished working offline, you can reconnect to source control.

  1. Do one of the following, depending on the part of the user interface you are using:

    • Ribbon Select Source Control > Reconnect.

    • Right-Click If you have the Content Explorer, Project Organizer, Pending Changes window pane, or File List open, right-click on any file and select Source Control > Project > Reconnect.

  2. Check in the files you previously checked out. See Checking In Source Control Files—Team Foundation Server.

What’s Noteworthy?

Note Your current network connection status is indicated in the lower right corner of the Flare interface. If you are connected you will see ; if you are disconnected you will see .