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: Added the folder for synchronization again: This results in a link, not an actual sync. Updated the OneDrive client: I have installed the latest version of OneDrive, but the problem persists. Reinstalled OneDrive: I uninstalled and reinstalled OneDrive to fix any potential issues, but the problem remains. Cleared cache and stored credentials: This did not resolve the issue either. Checked the settings for a solution: I have reviewed all relevant options, but haven’t found a solution. Questions: Was this feature intentionally changed by Microsoft, or is this a bug? Is there any way to reverse this change or make shared folders sync locally again like before? Is it possible to sync shared folders without the online link appearing? 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!

This has happened to me as well. Started 4/1/2025 (for me) . All folders that were shared to me, and synced to my desktops, have disappeared from my desktops and replaced with URL links to OneDrive instead. Also, some new folders were created with the original name plus the PC name added to it (as others have experienced). On one desktop I noticed it took some Windows updates early in the morning (around 12 AM per Reliability Monitor), but the OneDrive folder shenanigans didn't start until that evening around 7:20 PM (based on timestamps shown for the folders which were moved to my Recycle Bin). The shared folders no longer appear in the OneDrive app as selectable for syncing - they are not showing at all in the list of folders though they are there in the web OneDrive. Hopefully Microsoft gets this sorted out soon as it's made using OneDrive for sharing between family member accounts difficult.

I am running Windows Pro, same version and build as you, and same version of One Drive, and I am still having an issue.

I am having the exact same issue for about a week now. Mine started in April not March. Everytime I try to look at my local onedrive folder it creates a copy of the folder I can no longer access. The folders that were shared with me are no longer accessible on my computer. We could really use a fix now, or I will ahve to move to another cloud platform. Hello Dear User Welcome to the Microsoft Community. I realize that you've encountered a problem with OneDrive shared folders and I understand how you feel. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback on the shared folder anomaly issue. We are sorry that you are experiencing this issue, and we fully understand the distress this situation has caused to your work and life. We take the situation you described very seriously. At present, Microsoft has confirmed that this is a known issue, and the engineering team has now stepped in to deal with it, but as the fix needs to be synchronized to verify the stability of multiple platforms, the complete solution will still take a certain period of time. Please rest assured that this issue is always in the high-priority queue, and we will synchronize the latest developments through the official website and service push. Thank you again for your understanding and tolerance, your feedback is an important motivation for us to continue to optimize the experience. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask me, I will do my best to help you. Best Regards. Lee-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

my wife and I have each have a Thinikstation desktop and Thinkpad laptop. All are running Windows 11 Pro build 26100 and all have the problem. My Android tablet and phone do not.

I logged into my wife's laptop and noticed that the shared folders in onedrive work fine there. It's the same version of Onedrive:Bu8ild 25.046.0310.0005 (64 bit) But on my desktop (not working) I'm running windows 11 Pro: 10.0.26100 Build 26100 Her laptop is running windows 11 Home: 10.0.26100 Build 26100 Anyone else who's having the problem, are you running Home or Pro?

OneDrive – Shared folders can no longer sync locally since yesterday

Anonymous

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:

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

Questions:

Was this feature intentionally changed by Microsoft, or is this a bug?
Is there any way to reverse this change or make shared folders sync locally again like before?
Is it possible to sync shared folders without the online link appearing?
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!

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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137 answers

Anonymous

2025-04-14T21:24:31+00:00

This has happened to me as well.

Started 4/1/2025 (for me). All folders that were shared to me, and synced to my desktops, have disappeared from my desktops and replaced with URL links to OneDrive instead. Also, some new folders were created with the original name plus the PC name added to it (as others have experienced). On one desktop I noticed it took some Windows updates early in the morning (around 12 AM per Reliability Monitor), but the OneDrive folder shenanigans didn't start until that evening around 7:20 PM (based on timestamps shown for the folders which were moved to my Recycle Bin). The shared folders no longer appear in the OneDrive app as selectable for syncing - they are not showing at all in the list of folders though they are there in the web OneDrive.

Hopefully Microsoft gets this sorted out soon as it's made using OneDrive for sharing between family member accounts difficult.
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Anonymous

2025-04-13T14:24:32+00:00

I am running Windows Pro, same version and build as you, and same version of One Drive, and I am still having an issue.
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Anonymous

2025-04-13T12:56:03+00:00

I am having the exact same issue for about a week now. Mine started in April not March. Everytime I try to look at my local onedrive folder it creates a copy of the folder I can no longer access. The folders that were shared with me are no longer accessible on my computer. We could really use a fix now, or I will ahve to move to another cloud platform.

Hello Dear User Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

I realize that you've encountered a problem with OneDrive shared folders and I understand how you feel.

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback on the shared folder anomaly issue. We are sorry that you are experiencing this issue, and we fully understand the distress this situation has caused to your work and life.

We take the situation you described very seriously. At present, Microsoft has confirmed that this is a known issue, and the engineering team has now stepped in to deal with it, but as the fix needs to be synchronized to verify the stability of multiple platforms, the complete solution will still take a certain period of time. Please rest assured that this issue is always in the high-priority queue, and we will synchronize the latest developments through the official website and service push.

Thank you again for your understanding and tolerance, your feedback is an important motivation for us to continue to optimize the experience. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask me, I will do my best to help you.

Best Regards. Lee-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist
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Anonymous

2025-04-12T19:09:29+00:00

my wife and I have each have a Thinikstation desktop and Thinkpad laptop. All are running Windows 11 Pro build 26100 and all have the problem. My Android tablet and phone do not.
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Anonymous

2025-04-12T18:17:08+00:00

I logged into my wife's laptop and noticed that the shared folders in onedrive work fine there.

It's the same version of Onedrive:Bu8ild 25.046.0310.0005 (64 bit)

But on my desktop (not working) I'm running windows 11 Pro: 10.0.26100 Build 26100

Her laptop is running windows 11 Home: 10.0.26100 Build 26100

Anyone else who's having the problem, are you running Home or Pro?
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1 person found this answer helpful.

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