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

Anonymous
2025-03-04T11:55:09+00:00

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?

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-18T23:44:18+00:00

    This "workaround" is a mess. I can't make it work.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-14T13:47:25+00:00

    This solution provides only a partial replacement for the original feature:

    1. You need to have the credentials of the orginating account that that has shared the folder with you to use the CID from the link URL as described. I cannot force whoever gave the link to share their credentials. Is there is a way of passing some other parameter (maybe the ID) to indicate a different user's credentials?
    2. Assuming you can get past my previous point, this effectively creates a network drive, but this does not do any caching content on the local hard disk like OneDrive does - if you get disconnected from the network, or the network is very slow (like when tethering to a phone), it becomes unusable. The beauty of the previous capability of OneDrive is that had the ability to selectively cache content locally for the shared folders just like you would for your own folders.
    3. I wish there was SharePoint for family - basically, I want to be able to sync a folder locally just like I would do on a business/corporate account but in the family setting.

    I agree with other posters, the mapped folder was a way better solution, than the current link approach. Whoever removed the feature I hope they reconsider, otherwise the utility of OneDrive in our family where we share multiple folders across the accounts will be dramatically reduced. Really a shame this capability was removed. I may have to consider other options like DropBox or Google Drive for the family.

    Hugely disappointed in the regression of features in OneDrive.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-12T15:26:30+00:00

    I have the same problem with 2 (I only have 2) shared folders that just show as Links under OneDrive in File Explorer. I have tried the fix using the CID for OneDrive Root and the individual folder CIDs.

    This almost works, just failing at the authentication step when entering the app Password, I have generated a few with no luck and receive access denied. It asks me to authenticate with user and password (app Password) 3 times before I receive this. I have tried with the same password and also generating a new one each time, but neither works. Very frustrated with this change that appeared to come along with the latest windows update a week or so ago.

    Will it be fixed or are we reliant on a work around?

    FYI, I have documents within Apps that are pinned and open OK, but the pinned path in File Explorer fails with the error message 'Location is not available'.

    Thanks

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-12T01:32:30+00:00

    I am experiencing the same issue, which is affecting my efficiency with video and audio editing applications. Previously, I had shared folders mapped from customers that were accessible to these applications. Now, I am required to download large files to my local folder each time, which significantly increases task duration and impacts productivity.

    When do we expect resolution for this?

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-03-05T07:13:07+00:00

    Hello,

    I managed to map my OneDrive, however, the shared folders are not shown at all, neither as folder nor even as the links. There is no sign of them.

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