This policy setting specifies whether BranchCache is enabled on the client computer. BranchCache reduces the utilization ...

This policy setting specifies whether BranchCache is enabled on the client computer. BranchCache reduces the utilization of the wide area network (WAN) links connecting branch offices to the data center or headquarters and increases access speeds for content that has already been downloaded into the branch office. BranchCache does this by enabling computers in a branch office to cache files and HTTP traffic from Intranet servers on which BranchCache is enabled, and then securely share the files with other computers in the branch. Computers in the branch office can retrieve content from a hosted cache server in the branch (when using Hosted Cache mode), or from other client computers in the branch (when using Distributed Cache mode). To access cached content, the computer must have permissions to access the content on the source server.

Enable this policy setting on client computers in branch offices where WAN bandwidth is low, latency is high, and there are a number of client computers that need to access the same data from servers in the central office.

If you enable this policy setting, BranchCache is turned on. For this policy setting to take effect, you also must install the BranchCache feature on the client computer.

If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, BranchCache is turned off.