Configuring your
computer to use Offline Files To configure your computer to use the Offline Files feature:
1.Click Start, and then click My Computer.2.On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.3.Click the Offline Files tab.4.Select the Enable Offline Files check box, and then click OK.Back to the topMaking files or folders
available offline To make shared network files or folders available when you are
offline:
1.Click Start, and then click My Computer.2.Click My Network Places.3.Double-click the network place that contains the folder or
file that you want to make available offline. 4.Right-click the file or folder that you want, and then
click Make Available Offline. The Offline Files Wizard starts. Click Next to continue.5.Select the Automatically synchronize the Offline
Files when I log on and log off my computer check box, and then click Next.6.Select the Create a shortcut to the Offline Files
folder on my desktop check box, and then click Finish. The files are copied to your computer, and a "Shortcut to
Offline Files" folder is displayed on the desktop.

MS even mentions on their page that this works fine with Samba.