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

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.

0 comments

137 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-08T17:19:30+00:00

    This article links to some other post indicating this has been an issue for way longer than I've been affected by this.

    Article: https://geekermag.com/fix-onedrive-shared-folders-become-internet-shortcuts-on-windows-11/

    Posts 10 months ago:

    https://www.reddit.com/r/Office365/comments/1dbjq9s/one_drive_windows_11_shared_folder_all_of_sudden/ https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoft/comments/1dnje8c/does_anyone_know_whats_going_on_with_onedrive/

    Meanwhile I noticed Office 365 Family just increased 32€ in price.

    Personally I don't think this is gonna be fixed soon, like a lot of other Microsoft bugs, and I'm looking at other options.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-08T14:47:09+00:00

    MS завжди кидає своїх клієнтів "через плече", колись вони змінили якісь шрифти і в моїх контактах зникли всі описи, які я додавав кілька років, вони просто розвели руки)). Так що не переживайте, тут так само, до них хіба дійде, якщо від них почнуть йти клієнти, але цього не відбудиться ))) Вони можуть хіба відреагувати якщо проблема буде стосуватись корпоративних клієнтів.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2025-04-08T14:42:42+00:00

    Yeah. I heard they're rolling out in stages.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-04-08T14:34:02+00:00

    This issue was automatically resolved for me a few days ago, leaving me with several auto-generated local copies of shared folders across the four PCs I use, each folder being duplicated across each device. The auto-initiated download to restore shared files was over 100 gigabytes per device. I have yet to delete all the local copies. This shambles, which I understand is being caused by Microsoft migrating data, has seriously inconvenienced me, and the silence from Microsoft on the matter has seriously annoyed me. My annual subscription is soon due for renewal. I will know how to act.

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. 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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments