OneDrive – Shared folders can no longer sync locally since yesterday

Anonymous
2025-03-06T21:28:30+00:00

I have been experiencing an issue with the synchronization of shared OneDrive folders that started yesterday. Until now, I could successfully add shared folders to my OneDrive and have them sync locally, but now the folder is only appearing as a shortcut/link and is no longer treated as a regular folder in my OneDrive storage.

Problem:

  • Until yesterday, I could add shared folders to my OneDrive folder, and they would automatically sync so I could use the files directly on my PC.
  • Since yesterday, the shared folder is now only appearing as a link/shortcut, and it is not syncing locally.
  • The folder remains visible as an online link in the OneDrive Explorer, but I can't use it as a normal folder.
  • This affects all shared folders, both from external users and internal ones.
  • This change occurred suddenly on March 5, 2025, and was not present before.

What I have tried:

  1. Added the folder for synchronization again: This results in a link, not an actual sync.
  2. Updated the OneDrive client: I have installed the latest version of OneDrive, but the problem persists.
  3. Reinstalled OneDrive: I uninstalled and reinstalled OneDrive to fix any potential issues, but the problem remains.
  4. Cleared cache and stored credentials: This did not resolve the issue either.
  5. Checked the settings for a solution: I have reviewed all relevant options, but haven’t found a solution.

Questions:

  1. Was this feature intentionally changed by Microsoft, or is this a bug?
  2. Is there any way to reverse this change or make shared folders sync locally again like before?
  3. Is it possible to sync shared folders without the online link appearing?
  4. What steps should I take to resolve this issue?

Additional Information:

  • I am using OneDrive for Personal and syncing multiple folders from different users.
  • The files are still available online, but I am no longer able to use them offline as I did before.

I would greatly appreciate your assistance in resolving this issue. Thank you for your support!

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-30T03:40:22+00:00

    I commented on p2, 14 March, about needing to set a date when to abandon OneDrive depending on its importance to you. As it was of high importance, but not critical, to me, and because I knew I was going to be overseas for a couple weeks, I set my date to abandon OneDrive on 1 May, unless it got resolved. I don't know if it was because of having used my laptop in another country or running an update (KB5055627, Cumulative Update), but after checking updates were run and clock was correct, I checked yesterday, 28 April, and there was that shared folder no longer just a link. I could open it and access the files within. Ironically, I think this all started when I travelled to a different time zone, too, but I doubt that would cause the problem.

    Windows Pro 11 with 24H2 (version installed 27 Jan, which I think was a month after the problem started)

    Shared folder from another account in the same M365 Family subscription.

    I would be optimistic that those with problems will see a correction soon, but I still don't understand the tactic that would have people randomly updated after waiting such a long time. Surely it's not manual. It's not really making Microsoft shine with subscribers. This situation would be an example to some (EU) that there is an antitrust issue when bundling OneDrive with M365, similar to Internet Explorer and Windows years ago. M365 is a dominant product, arguably a monopoly, and its packaging and pricing make switching costs high for users. Would stronger competition for cloud storage have brought a faster remedy?

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-07T22:46:13+00:00

    It has been over a month for me and the issue still persists. I am on a family subscription. If this is not fixed before my subscription ends, I'll have to look for alternatives.

    To anyone who is worried about loosing Word, Excel and PowerPoint, there are WPS Office, LibreOffice, GoogleSheets, etc.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-04-04T05:49:08+00:00

    The workaround provided is not acceptable. Applications pointing to local files on the shared folder cannot work with files on the web. What is the ETA for a fix?

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-29T20:04:00+00:00

    Must be fixed soon. Very dealbreaker at the moment.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-03-28T09:56:18+00:00

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