OneDrive shared folders are now links, not folders! How do I fix this?

So the first I knew of this is when Microsoft deleted some 10,000 photos and videos of my grandchildren on my PC that had been shared by a parent. I thought they had been lost from the OneDrive server. Disgraceful. I found them in my "recycle" bin and restored them to somewhere safe. I've never trusted OneDrive anyway so everything is backed up separately.

I then saw that the shared folder was now just a link to the online version - and was relieved to see that all were still there.

I've now jumped through all the hoops of trying to set up a network connection and/or mapped drive. The best I can get is a mapped drive (with DOS's NET USE) that allows me to see the folder name but not the contents of the folder. So pretty useless. And for another folder shared by someone else I get Access Denied although obviously I'm using the same signin.

But I have found on Reddit at OneDrive Fail a pointer to RaiDrive. The free version does work for me although it has overbearing adverts. It shows all shared folders, regardless of owner, on a single mapped drive letter so will cover any more folders that get deleted off my PC by Microsoft.

It appears the issue could be related to background migration, and we may need to wait for Microsoft to complete the process. However, it's disappointing that Microsoft, as a large and well-established company, has not allocated sufficient resources or responded effectively to expedite the situation. Such handling feels less than professional.

I get message that access is denied

Microsoft needs to get an update out to fix this. It seems to have occurred when some OneDrive accounts were updated to a different Build from the computer doing the sharing. Updating your OneDrive does not help unless you know the exact build the sharing computer is running. This is why some computer pairs work normally and others do not.

I have a number of folders shared with me by other OneDrive users. I've added these to My Files to appear alongside the folders on my OneDrive account. Up until yesterday, they appeared as folders on my PC, alongside the other folders which belong to my OneDrive account. Now these folders that are shared with me are appearing as shortcut links instead of folders on my PC.

This has happened to 3 different PCs which are all connected to the same OneDrive account. I have uninstalled OneDrive, cleared the cache, etc. and reinstalled on one PC, but the problem remains. I've removed shared folders, had them unshared by the owner, reshared back to me, and then added again to My Files, but this didn't work either.

How do I fix this?

Users are powerless to resolve this. Only Microsoft has the authority—and the responsibility—to fix it.

But for nearly a year, they’ve done nothing. No fix. No roadmap. Just empty “please wait” emails. No official statement. No accountability.

Meanwhile, self-appointed volunteer moderators act like company spokespeople—without any official status or evidence. It’s a smokescreen.

Microsoft is using these volunteers as human shields, dodging responsibility and abandoning its users.

I’m beyond frustrated. Let’s call it what it is: the OneDrive URL Gate.